A Sempiternal bond: India’s 77th Republic Day blends timeless heritage with bold future
By Liya Laiju
Class 9, United Indian School
Special to The Times Kuwait
As the winter sun rises over the quiet yet unexplainable dignity of New Delhi, on this worldwide adored day, 26 January 2026, India pauses to take in and breathe the gravity of its glorious 77th Republic Day. This isn’t just a date on a calendar, nor just a display of a public celebration; it’s a profound commemoration of the day we chose our own paths, a moment of athanasy for the visionaries who dreamt of a free, sovereign land.
The Echo Of 150 Years
The air today is redolent with history. This year’s theme, ‘Vande Mataram’, celebrates the 150th anniversary of our national song. As the mellifluous notes of the anthem drifts across the crowded and bustling Kartavya Path, it serves as a bridge between the struggles faced in 1876 and the aspirations of 2026. This song, once a whispered prayer, now has become the heartbeat of a rising nation that tugs on the heartstrings
A Global Embrace
In a move that feels like geopolitical Kairos, India welcomes the leadership of the European Union as its honored guests. The presence of European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen and European council president António Costa isn’t just ceremonial. It is a testament to India’s evolving role on the world stage — a republic that honors its roots while engaging the world with open hands and a firm resolve.
The Spectacle of Resilience
The parade itself is a vibrant ‘mélange’ of the old and the new. Watch for the debut of the “Bhairav Battalion” — elite commandos whose very name evokes strength — marching alongside a very unique animal contingent that show cases double-humped camels from the high altitudes of Ladakh, and many indigenous ponies and horses. It is a reminder that our strength not only lies in our machines, but in the land and the creatures that share it with us.
Beyond the Flag Unfurling
As our respected president Droupadi Murmu unfurls the tricolor, triggering the 21-gun salute, the feeling in the air is one of solidarity. This very day, citizens look past the “I” and “Me” and discover the “Us”. From the chief architect Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to the farmers and scientists of today, we are all part of this sempiternal experiment in democracy.
Conclusion
Republic Day is a celebration of a nation that refuses to stand still. It is a day to honor the immortality of our fallen heroes and the tireless spirt of a billion people.
As the fly past streaks across the Delhi sky, it leaves behind a message: India is not just a country, it is an everlasting promise of justice and liberty that grows stronger with every passing year.
And as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had once said, “On 26th January 1950, we are going to enter into a life of contradictions”.
May India evolve, into something memorial that every citizen will cherish in their deepest of their hearts.
