Republic Day of India, which is celebrated on 26th January every year, marks the day on which the ‘Constitution of India’ was adopted. In the year 1950, on this very day, the country made its transition, from a ‘British Dominion’ to a ‘Republic’. Today, as we look back into the past, we see that India has come a long way from being a ‘newly independent nation’ to ‘one of the fastest-growing economies of the world’. In the past sixty years, the country has grown by leaps and bounds, be it in technology, transport and communication or industrial advancement.

To mark this occasion, a grand parade is held in New Delhi, the Capital of India, beginning from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort in the old quarter of the city. Different infantry, cavalry and mechanized regiments of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force march in formation, decked in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute.

The Chief Guest of the parade is a Head of State of another nation. The parade also includes many traditional dance troupes, to symbolize the cultural heritage of India. It traditionally ends with a colourful flypast by Air Force jets in a tiranga formation. Similar parades are held in the capitals of all the states of India, where the Governors of the respective states take the salute.

Republic Day Parade, which includes vibrant displays and floats taken out by various states and regions, seeks to bring across the varied cultures of India. Broadcast nationwide, on radio as well television, it traditionally ends with a fly-past by Indian Air Force jets.

Apart from the Republic Day Parade at India Gate, organized at the national level, celebrations also take place at the state level. In the latter case, the Governor of the state unfurls the National Flag in the state capital. In his absence, the Chief Minister of the state assumes the honor.

The 61th Republic Day of India will see 18 tableaux roll down Rajpath. They will showcase the incredible diversity and rich cultural legacy of the country, right from the folk culture of Mithila to the Gair dance of Rajasthan and the fauna of Kaziranga and Ranthambore National Parks. Twelve of the tableaux will be from different Indian states, while the rest six will belong to the central government’s ministries and departments. The number of tableaux has been down, from 26 of the last year, to accommodate larger number of gallantry award winners

All the 18 tableaux will present different aspects of India. For instance, Jammu and Kashmir tableau has been made with a focus on tourism, portraying Ladakh monastery, a group of mask dancers, a plush houseboat and dancers performing the Kud dance of Jammu’s mountain ranges. While Bihar tableau will be based around the folk culture of Mithila, the one from Tripura will provide us a glimpse of the bamboo handicrafts made there. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), participating in the parade for the first time, will have various aspects of disaster management and ways of handling them, in its tableau.