Republic Day Festivities to Highlight ‘Vande Mataram’

Context:
The 77th Republic Day celebrations (January 26, 2025) will adopt a special “Vande Mataram” theme, marking 150 years since the first two stanzas of the National Song were published in 1875. The event will also carry strong cultural and diplomatic significance, with top European Union leaders expected as chief guests, alongside an upcoming EU–India Summit.

Key Highlights:

Theme-Based National Celebrations:

• Republic Day 2025 will spotlight “Vande Mataram” through:

  • Torch relay events

  • Special cultural programmes

  • A themed flypast and parade integration

• The Ministry of Defence has been directed to incorporate the theme prominently in the Republic Day parade.

International Relations Dimension:

• Expected chief guests:

  • Ursula von der Leyen (President, European Commission)

  • Antonio Costa (President, European Council)

• Highlights India’s growing strategic partnership with the European Union.

• A major EU–India Summit is scheduled on January 27, where a long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be finalised.

Cultural Outreach & Public Participation:

• The Ministry of Culture plans to integrate its campaign portal with the My Bharat portal to enhance youth participation.

• Nationwide musical performances will feature:

  • Army bands

  • School and college groups

  • National Cadet Corps (NCC) bands

Parade Innovations & Media Promotion:

• Proposal under consideration to shift the flypast to the middle of the parade for better visibility at Kartavya Path.

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will produce:

  • 25 one-minute films on Vande Mataram and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Global Cultural Diplomacy:

• Indian embassies worldwide will host:

  • Cultural evenings

  • A “Global Music Festival” celebrating the National Song

• Reinforces India’s use of soft power and cultural nationalism internationally.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Vande Mataram: National Song composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

• First published in 1875; symbol of India’s freedom movement.

• Republic Day: Celebrated on January 26, commemorating enforcement of the Constitution in 1950.

• Chief Guests 2025: Top EU leadership, reflecting diplomatic priority.

• FTA: Agreement reducing trade barriers between countries.

Relevant Mains Points:

• Art & Culture Linkages:

  • Role of national symbols in strengthening unity and identity.

• IR Significance:

  • EU participation signals deeper India–EU cooperation in trade, technology, and geopolitics.

• Governance & Public Engagement:

  • Digital portals like My Bharat encourage participatory nationalism.

• Way Forward:

  • Leverage cultural diplomacy alongside economic agreements like FTA.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS 1: Modern history, nationalism, cultural heritage

• GS 2: International relations, India–EU ties

• Prelims: National symbols, Republic Day facts, trade agreements