75th Republic Day celebrations: Visit CNN-News18’s YouTube page for live visuals

This time, the celebrations on January 26 are double as India is celebrating the 75th Republic Day, three days after the grand inauguration of the much-awaited Ram Temple in Ayodhya. After the inauguration of the temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that Republic Day celebrations have now become “widespread” and the “auspicious” celebration of January 22 has also become part of the “festival of democracy”.

Tune in to CNN-News18’s YouTube page on January 26 which will serve as your one-stop shop to watch this extended celebration. With a wide team of journalists on the ground in New Delhi, CNN-News18’s YouTube page will give you minute-by-minute information from the line of duty.

India is all set to showcase its military might and rich cultural heritage on the duty line in the heart of the national capital. French President Emmanuel Macron will attend this grand ceremony with a broad theme of presenting the country’s women power and democratic values ​​as the chief guest.

President Draupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating Republic Day with a 90-minute parade on the ceremonial route – Kartavya Path. The armed forces will display a range of homegrown weapons and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry fighting vehicles in the parade.

For the first time, all-women tri-service contingents will be part of the event. Additionally, the parade will begin with over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments like shankha, nadaswaram and nagada for the first time, instead of the traditional military band.

The celebrations will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying tribute to the martyred heroes by laying a wreath. The Defense Ministry said that a few minutes later, President Murmu and his French counterpart Macron would arrive in ‘traditional buggies’, a practice which is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years.