New Delhi, Jan 26 (UNI) As the Republic Day celebrations commence, the nation solemnly pays homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland.
Leading the ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial at the iconic India Gate, marking the official start of the Republic Day festivities and honoring India’s fallen heroes.
An Inter-Services Guard, comprising 21 inner guards (seven from each service) and six buglers (two from each service), was present for the ceremony. The inner guards from the Indian Air Force (IAF) included one Sergeant with six corporals.
The Guard of Honour was commanded by an Air Force officer, Squadron Leader Hemant Singh Kanyal, reflecting the joint ethos of the Indian Defence Forces.
Following the wreath-laying, the Guard Commander ordered the Salami Shastra, followed by the Shok Shastra. The solemn notes of the ‘Last Post’ echoed through the precincts as officers in uniform rendered a salute, while all others stood in respectful attention.
A two-minute silence was observed in honour of the fallen heroes, after which the buglers sounded the ‘Rouse’. The Guard Commander once again ordered the Salami Shastra, formally concluding the ceremony.
Thereafter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other dignitaries, proceeded to the saluting dais to continue the Republic Day celebrations.
Standing majestically across Kartavya Path, directly opposite the saluting dais, is the National Emblem, the ‘Lion Capital of Sarnath’, mounted atop a grand stupa-shaped pedestal.
A timeless symbol of the Republic, it embodies the ideals of unity, strength and world peace, reflecting the enduring spirit of India.
At the National Emblem, the military band stood in solemn readiness to render the National Anthem, marking the arrival and departure of the President of India, a moment signifying the highest respect for the supreme constitutional authority of the nation.
The central floral arrangement, artistically designed, commemorates 150 years of Vande Mataram, celebrating the democratic foundations of the Republic.
The combined military band, comprising six Junior Commissioned Officers and 65 musicians drawn from the Mahar Regiment Centre, 1 Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (EME) Centre, and Corps of Military Police (CMP) Centre & School, was led by Band Master Subedar Major Chinna Durai of 1 EME Centre and assisted by Subedar Major Diggar Singh of Mahar Regiment Centre.
The band performed the stirring National Song ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem. Meanwhile, the combined Pipes & Drums Bands, consisting of one Junior Commissioned Officer and 33 musicians from the Jat Regiment and MEG Centre, was led by Naib Subedar Narayan Bahadur and assisted by CHM M Nirmal.
The band performed the iconic Quick March tune ‘Veer Bharat’, followed by Quick March ‘Mili Jhuli’. The performances of both bands were conducted under the overall coordination of Lt Col Girish Kumar U and Lt Col Vimal Joshi, Inspector of Army Bands.
