Republic Day 2026: Celebrating 150 Years of National Pride with 'Vande Mataram' at the Forefront
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The 77th Republic Day celebrations in India will be a spectacular display of the nation's rich heritage and cultural diversity, themed around the iconic 150-year-old national song, 'Vande Mataram'. This year's parade on Delhi's Kartavya Path will feature the European Council President, Antonio Costa, and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, as chief guests. The 'Vande Mataram' theme is a nod to the song's significance in India's struggle for freedom. Composed by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, the song envisioned a united nation, nurturing its people and celebrating its natural abundance. The Ministry of Culture views the tableaux displayed during the Republic Day parade as a means to translate India's cultural values and historical experiences into a shared visual language. To bring the theme to life, the parade will feature a series of paintings created by Tejendra Kumar Mitra in 1923, illustrating the verses of 'Vande Mataram'. A banner depicting the song will be unveiled, accompanied by the release of rubber balloons. The Ministry of Culture will also present a tableau on the theme, showcasing the journey of the song and featuring a complete version of the song. The '150 years of Vande Mataram' theme dominated the recent Parliament Winter Session, with heated debates and discussions on the song's significance, relevance, and cultural identity. Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the Congress party for removing two stanzas from the song when it turned 50, while Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended the song's history and accused the government of using it as a diversion tactic. The Republic Day parade will be a blend of India's military might and cultural diversity, with the Ministry of Culture working to create a visually stunning display of the nation's rich heritage. As the nation celebrates its 77th Republic Day, the 'Vande Mataram' theme serves as a powerful reminder of India's cultural identity and its people's unwavering commitment to freedom and unity.
