India’s 77th Republic Day: Operation Sindoor & Vande Mataram

77th Republic Day: A Tribute to ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Operation Sindoor’

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with a magnificent display at Kartavya Path that seamlessly blended heritage with high-tech military defiance. The celebrations were anchored by two major themes: the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ and the military valor of Operation Sindoor.

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1. The Chief Guests & Diplomatic Signal

In a significant outreach to the West, India hosted two top leaders from the European Union as Chief Guests:

• Antonio Costa: President of the European Council.

• Ursula von der Leyen: President of the European Commission.

• Historic First: For the first time in a Republic Day parade outside Europe, a European Union military contingent marched, carrying the flags of Operations Atalanta and Aspides.

2. Operation Sindoor: The Defining Feature

Operation Sindoor (launched in May 2025) was the focal point of the military display, following a retaliatory strike against terror infrastructure.

• The Tri-Services Tableau: Titled “Victory Through Jointness,” it featured a glass-cased Integrated Operational Centre showing real-time mission execution.

• The ‘Sindoor’ Formation: A specialized fly-past consisting of two Rafales, two MiG-29s, two Su-30s, and one Jaguar in a ‘Spearhead’ formation.

• Gallantry: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Ashoka Chakra (posthumously/on) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his role in the operation.

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3. Military Prowess: “Battle Array Format”

The Indian Army introduced a new phased battle array showing how the force actually moves into combat:

1. Recce Element: 61 Cavalry in active combat uniform and High Mobility Reconnaissance Vehicles.

2. Aerial Support: Indigenous Dhruv and Rudra (armed) helicopters in ‘Prahar’ formation.

3. Combat Punch: T-90 Bhisma and Main Battle Tank Arjun, supported by Apache and Prachand attack helicopters.

4. Strategic Tech: DRDO showcased the LR-AShM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile), a hypersonic glide missile capable of hitting moving targets.

4. Cultural & State Tableaux (150 Years of Vande Mataram)

30 tableaux (17 States/UTs and 13 Ministries) rolled down Kartavya Path, including:

• West Bengal: Depicted Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (composer of Vande Mataram) and freedom fighters like Khudiram Bose.

• Maharashtra: Celebrated Ganeshotsav as a symbol of self-reliance.

• Uttar Pradesh: Showcased the culture of Bundelkhand and the legacy of Ahilyabai Holkar.

• The Navy: Featured INSV Kaundinya (a 5th-century stitched ship replica) and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Also read | Indore Water Crisis: 22 Fall Ill in Mhow Fresh Outbreak; High Court Orders Records Preserved as Death Toll Hits 23

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