Today is 74th Republic Day. President Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the tricolour on the Kartavya Path. Along with this, the programme of Republic Day parade and presentation of tableaux will start from 10:30 am.
On Thursday morning before the parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the countrymen a happy Republic Day. He said that he wishes that together the people of India will fulfill the dreams of freedom fighters. On this Republic Day, the President of Egypt, ie Egypt, Abdel Fattah el Sisi is the Chief Guest. 23 tableaux of states, departments and armed forces will be taken out in the parade.
In a first Made in India cannons will give salute
There is a tradition of giving a 21-gun salute during the national anthem on Republic Day. Till now these salutes were fired from 25-pounder cannons made in Britain, which were also used during the Second World War. Now they will be replaced by 105MM Indian Field Gun made in India. These cannons were made in the gun factories of Jabalpur and Kanpur.
From this year, during the national anthem, 21 gun salute will be given from Made in India field guns.
These were designed in 1972 and have been in service since 1984. Major General Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, said that 105MM guns are made in the country, so we want to salute them. It is a matter of pride for us and that is why we will use indigenous cannon.
Woman power in BSF’s camel troop
For the first time, women officers have been included in the camel contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Republic Day. The Surface to Air Missile System Akash contingent will be commanded by Lieutenant Chetna Sharma. These will include 3 members of the Army and one each of the Airforce and Navy.
The Camel Contingent of BSF during the parade rehearsal at Kartavya Path.
Lt Chetna said that his dream has come true. Chetna is posted in the Army Air Defense Unit. Apart from Lt Chetna, Lieutenant Dimple Bhati will be part of the Army’s daredevils motorcycle team. She said that for this she has been training for the last one year.
IAF Garud commandos, experts in air-field operations
The Special Garuda Commando Force of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also be seen in the parade. The training of this special force formed in 2004 lasts for a maximum of 72 weeks. At present there are 1,780 commandos in this force. They are experts in anti-terror operations and air-field defence.
Airforce’s Garud commandos while undergoing training. They have expertise in air and field operations.
They are adept in operating all types of modern weapons. During the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase on January 2, 2016, the front was handled by the Garud commandos. 2 soldiers were martyred in this attack.
Winged stallion will be seen for first and last time in the flight past
44 aircraft including 9 Rafales will take part in the flight past. Apart from these, C-17, C-130, Sukhoi-30 will also participate in the fly past. They will fly in Netra, Bajrang, Vertical Charlie, Dhawaj, Rudra, Baj, Prachanda, Tiranga, Tangail, Garuda, Amrit and Trishul formations.
India received Il-38s aircraft from the former Soviet Navy.
The special thing is that Navy’s Illusion IL-38 will be included in the parade for the first and last time. The Surveillance and Anti-Submarine Aircraft was inducted into the Navy in 1977. It will be decommissioned later this year after 42 years of service. It is also called winged stallion.
Display of indigenous weapons only, Agniveer will also take part in the parade
Only Made in India i.e. indigenous weapons will be displayed in the parade. Even the ammunition will be indigenous. Major General Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff of Delhi Area, said that under the self-reliant India, the army will demonstrate many indigenous equipment.
Surface to Air Missile Defense System Akash will also be shown during the Republic Day parade.
The parade will include K-9 Vajra Howitzers, MBT Arjun, Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile, BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile, Akash Air Defense Missile and Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles. Major General Bhavnish Kumar said that we are turning towards Swadeshi. The time is not far when all our equipment will be indigenous.
Tableau of Narcotics Bureau for the first time, Canine members Limbu and Jelly will be seen
The tableau of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) will be seen in the parade for the first time. No drugs will be its message. Apart from the NCB members, two members of their dog squad will also be present in this tableau. The names of these dogs of the canine squad are Limbu and Jelly. He has played a role in getting drug consignments caught in many operations.
Tableau of Narcotics Control Bureau during full dress rehearsal. A member of the dog squad is also seen.
The message of drug free India will be written on the tableau. Also its members will appear with various costumes of India. Through this he will give the message that together we can fulfill the dream of drug free India.
Country’s biggest drone show in Beating the Retreat Ceremony
Beating the Retreat Ceremony, which has been going on for 300 years, is to be held on January 29. This time there will be the country’s biggest drone show in this ceremony. It will include 3,200 drones and will fly over Raisina Hills in the evening. They will present the important events of the country. The drone show will last for 10 minutes.
Aerial view of Army tanks on display during full dress rehearsal on Tuesday.
In 2022, 1,000 drones took part in the Beating the Retreat ceremony. Beating the Retreat ceremony originated in Britain in the 17th century. It came to India in 1952.
Petrol bomb hurled at BJP leader’s clinic in Bathinda ahead of CM Mann’s visit
A petrol bomb was thrown at BJP leader Dr Tarsem Garg’s clinic in Bathinda, sparking panic and prompting a police investigation ahead of CM Bhagwant Mann’s visit.
A petrol bomb was allegedly thrown at the clinic of BJP leader Dr Tarsem Garg in Punjab’s Bathinda, triggering panic in the area and prompting a police investigation. The incident occurred late on Monday night, just ahead of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s scheduled visit to the city.
According to preliminary information, two masked individuals were involved in the attack. CCTV footage reportedly showed one suspect lighting a bottle filled with petrol while another recorded the incident. The burning bottle was then thrown inside the clinic premises before the accused fled the spot.
The sudden explosion-like sound created panic among nearby residents, who rushed to the clinic after the attack. No injuries were reported, although some property, including a parked scooty and plants in the courtyard, was damaged. Burn marks were also found at the site.
Dr Tarsem Garg said he had not received any threats and was unaware of any personal enmity that could have led to the incident. Police teams reached the spot soon after receiving information and began collecting evidence. Senior officers inspected the scene and are analysing CCTV footage to identify the attackers.
SP City Narinder Singh confirmed that two unidentified individuals were involved in the attack and said multiple teams have been deployed to trace the accused. The incident has raised security concerns, particularly because of the chief minister’s visit to Bathinda.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Monday delivered his first detailed speech in the state Assembly, using the occasion to respond to critics who had earlier dismissed his party as merely an “actors’ party”.
Addressing the House, Vijay said several people had ridiculed TVK when it entered politics, questioning whether a party led by film personalities could succeed. He, however, asserted that the electoral mandate received by his party had answered those criticisms.
The Chief Minister said political movements should be judged by their commitment to public welfare and governance rather than the backgrounds of those leading them. He stressed that the people of Tamil Nadu had placed their trust in his party and that the government would work to honour that faith.
Vijay invokes leaders who faced criticism
During his address, Vijay recalled that several prominent leaders in Tamil Nadu’s political history had also faced scepticism before rising to power. He said doubts about experience and capability were not new in politics and noted that public support ultimately determines political success.
The TVK leader reiterated his government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and ensuring that the Assembly functions in a democratic manner, with adequate space for both the ruling side and the opposition. He said the interests of the state’s people would remain the government’s top priority.
Vijay’s speech drew attention as it marked his first comprehensive intervention in the Assembly since assuming office as Chief Minister following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Delhi records 38.4°C as air quality turns poor, IMD forecasts cloudy skies
Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 38.4°C, while air quality slipped to the poor category. IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies with chances of thunderstorms and light rain.
Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, slightly below the seasonal average, even as residents continued to experience hot and humid weather conditions.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the national capital is expected to witness partly cloudy skies during the day, with the possibility of thunderstorm activity and light rainfall in some areas later in the evening or during the night. Strong surface winds are also likely during the day.
The city’s air quality, however, deteriorated and slipped into the ‘poor’ category, raising concerns over deteriorating atmospheric conditions. Authorities have advised vulnerable groups, including children, elderly people and those with respiratory ailments, to limit prolonged outdoor exposure.
Weather officials said temperatures in Delhi remained marginally lower than normal, but high humidity levels continued to make conditions uncomfortable for residents. The “feels like” temperature remained significantly higher due to moisture in the air.
The IMD has forecast partly cloudy conditions over the next few days, with chances of very light to light rainfall and thunderstorms in parts of Delhi-NCR. Gusty winds ranging between 20 and 30 kmph, reaching up to 40 kmph at times, are also expected.
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