Republic Day festivities to highlight Vande Mataram, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• The 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26 will feature a "Vande Mataram theme", including a torch relay and flypast.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are expected to be the chief guests.
• The celebrations mark 150 years since the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram were published in 1875.
• A EU-India Summit is scheduled for January 27, where a free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to be finalized.

Detailed Insights:

• The Ministry of Defence has been directed to incorporate the Vande Mataram theme into the Republic Day parade.
• The Ministry of Culture plans to integrate its campaign portal with the My Bharat portal to encourage participation.
• Musical performances by Army, school, college, and National Cadet Corps (NCC) bands will occur nationwide.
• There is a proposal to shift the flypast to the middle of the parade to enhance visibility and audience engagement at Kartavya Path.
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will produce 25 one-minute films on Vande Mataram and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
• Indian embassies and posts worldwide will hold cultural evenings and a "Global Music Festival" on the National Song.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Vande Mataram: India's National Song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, symbolizing the spirit of nationalism.
• Republic Day: Celebrated on January 26th, it marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect.
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A pact between two or more countries to reduce trade barriers and promote economic cooperation.