AI Generated Summary
- New Delhi is set to witness a rich blend of history, culture and military prowess at the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, with Punjab’s tableau commemorating the 350th martyrdom year of Guru Tegh Bahadur and a powerful aerial display by the Indian Air Force highlighting a key operational exercise carried out last year.
- The tableau is expected to highlight his message of courage, tolerance and the defence of religious freedom, bringing a significant chapter of Punjab’s legacy to the national stage.
- Internationally sourced and heavy-lift platforms will also take to the skies, including the Apache attack helicopter, the Mi-17 transport helicopter, special operations aircraft C-295 and C-130, and the Navy’s long-range maritime surveillance aircraft P-8I.
New Delhi is set to witness a rich blend of history, culture and military prowess at the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, with Punjab’s tableau commemorating the 350th martyrdom year of Guru Tegh Bahadur and a powerful aerial display by the Indian Air Force highlighting a key operational exercise carried out last year.
The Ministry of Defence on Thursday confirmed that a total of 30 tableaux will roll down Kartavya Path during the national celebration. These include 17 tableaux representing states and Union Territories and 13 from central ministries and the armed forces, reflecting the diversity, heritage and aspirations of the country.
Punjab’s tableau will pay tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, whose sacrifice is remembered as a defining moment in India’s spiritual and social history. The tableau is expected to highlight his message of courage, tolerance and the defence of religious freedom, bringing a significant chapter of Punjab’s legacy to the national stage.
The overall theme of this year’s parade — “Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram” and “Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat” — seeks to blend the celebration of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram with India’s journey towards self-reliance. The tableaux will showcase how tradition and innovation coexist, reflecting progress across sectors while drawing strength from India’s cultural diversity.
A major attraction of the parade will be the Indian Air Force’s flypast, featuring a special composite formation named “Sindoor.” According to IAF officials, the formation is designed to demonstrate operational dominance and a decisive combat edge. The seven-aircraft formation will include frontline fighter jets such as Rafale, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft, flying in close coordination.
Adding symbolic weight to the display, a helicopter will carry the Operation Sindoor flag as part of the flypast. The aerial segment will also feature a wide range of aircraft and helicopters, underlining the breadth of India’s air power. These include indigenously developed platforms such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
Internationally sourced and heavy-lift platforms will also take to the skies, including the Apache attack helicopter, the Mi-17 transport helicopter, special operations aircraft C-295 and C-130, and the Navy’s long-range maritime surveillance aircraft P-8I. The Army will be represented with four of its helicopters participating in the aerial display.
Along with Punjab, several other states and Union Territories will present tableaux, including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
Together, the ground and aerial displays promise a Republic Day parade that not only celebrates India’s democratic spirit but also showcases its cultural depth and growing strategic capabilities.
