On Republic Day, flag hoisting ceremonies and parades by armed forces and school children are held in different parts of the country. The grandest and most important of these parades is held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, which showcases a multi-hued image of the country's rich cultural heritage and military prowess.

This parade is presided over by the President of India. Chief Guest this year was the president of France Mr. Emmanuel Macron. One of the main functions of the Republic Day Parade is to honor the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country and to bestow bravery awards upon military personnel and citizens. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is presented to children who have demonstrated exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements across seven categories (Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports).

75^th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path to be women-centric; 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka' to be the main themes - read the press release

A salute to the Legends

January 30 is marked as Martyrs Days, to honour and pay homage to those martyrs who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom, welfare and progress of our beloved country. It was on January 30, 1948 when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. And, since then every year the nation pays homage to the Mahatma and other martyrs on this day.

The President , the Vice President , the Prime Minister , the Defence Minister, and the three service Chiefs gather at Rajghat and lay wreaths on the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, decorated with multi-colour flowers. The inter-services contingent reverses arms as a mark of respect to the martyrs. A religious prayer ceremony is held and Gandhiji's favourite bhajans are sung.

Beating Retreat Ceremony

The ceremony at the Vijay Chowk on January 29 every year marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives in a cavalry unit escorted by the 'President's Bodyguards' (PBG). When the President arrives, the PBG commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Massed Bands, and at the same time by the unfurling of the National Flag of India on the flagpole. Military Bands, Pipes and Drums Bands, Buglers and Trumpeters from various Army Regiments perform during the ceremony. Besides, there are bands from each of the Navy and Air Force. Most of the tunes being played by the Army's Military Bands are based on Indian tunes.

'Beating the Retreat' has emerged as an event of national pride when the Colours and Standards are paraded. The ceremony traces its origin to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands. 'Beating Retreat' marks a centuries old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags lowered. The ceremony creates longing for the times gone by.

The grandest celebrations take place in New Delhi with the flag hoisting ceremony followed by a parade, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and military prowess...

Press Release - Beating the Retreat 2024 : Vijay Chowk set to be reverberated with all Indian tunes during Beating Retreat 2024