Indonesia has a special place in the history of India’s Republic Day. Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia, was the chief guest on India’s first Republic Day in 1950. This year in 2025, Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia is the chief guest, marking the continued friendship between the two nations. An Indonesian National Armed Forces marching contingent and military band will also join the parade, giving it an international flavor.
The parade began at 2:30 PM in 1950, with President Dr. Rajendra Prasad riding in a coach renovated for the occasion and drawn by six Australian horses. Enthusiastic crowds cheered as the procession of the president made its way to the Irwin Amphitheatre on Republic Day. The event ended with a grand show that featured 3,000 personnel from the Armed Forces and police with seven massed bands. Spectators clad in their finest attire packed the 15,000-seat capacity of the amphitheater, while the surrounding venue vibrantly decorated the space.
Role of Indonesia in Republic Day Legacy
This year, the parade focuses on celebrating the progress and integration of India. The tri-services tableau shows the spirit of “Jointness” in the Armed Forces and is a recreation of synchronized battlefield scenarios. India showcased its military prowess with indigenous defense technologies, including the Arjun battle tank, Tejas fighter aircraft, and advanced light helicopters.
The spectacle of Jayati Jaya Mama Bharatam is set to showcase 5,000 artists performing 45 dance forms within an 11-minute extravaganza. Furthermore, Kartavya Path is extended, ensuring that all the guests will have the opportunity to witness the great cultural heritage of India through this captivating performance.
Trace the First Republic Day Celebrations
India celebrated its first Republic Day on January 26, 1950, not at Kartavya Path but at the Irwin Amphitheatre, now the National Stadium. The amphitheater, constructed in 1933 with a donation from the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, was an apt venue for this momentous occasion. This structure, dating back to the 1930s, was designed by Robert Torr Russell, the architect who designed Connaught Place, and it witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
At exactly 10:18 AM, India formally became the Sovereign Democratic Republic in a solemn ceremony at Durbar Hall, Government House. Six minutes later, Dr. Prasad took oath as the President. Immediately after 10:30 AM, a 31-gun salute declared the arrival of the Republic and its first leader. In his historic speech, first in Hindi and then in English, Dr. Prasad spoke of the importance of bringing India under one Constitution and one Union, which was responsible for the welfare of over 320 million citizens.
The Historic National Stadium
The old Irwin Amphitheatre is now the National Stadium, which is a prominent landmark. The National School Band Competition took place on the front lawns of the stadium on January 24-25, 2025, before Republic Day. A plaque on its wall commemorates the laying of the foundation stone by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru just a week before the first Republic Day.
National Stadium stands as a witness to the day in which the slogans of “Jai” arose to reverberate through its walls, establishing the foundation of the Republic of India. This site, in history, persists in inspiring the present with its legacy of unity, democracy, and cultural pride.
Lighting Up the Capital
Iconic buildings, parks, and railway stations in Delhi shimmered with light on January 26, 1950, turning the city into a “fairyland.” The Fauji Akhbar (now Sainik Samachar) chronicled the day’s events, witnessing a new life and status to the nation as a Republic.
India celebrates its 76th Republic Day by recalling the first Republic Day at the Irwin Amphitheatre and finally the grand parades on Kartavya Path. The day testifies to the unity, diversity, and progress of India and unites the nation in pride and patriotism.
