Udaipur, January 27, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with immense enthusiasm and patriotic fervour across Udaipur district on Monday. The district-level main ceremony was held at Gandhi Ground, where the spirit of nationalism was heightened by the unique occasion of completing 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram. The entire event echoed with devotion to Maa Bharati, blending tradition, discipline, and cultural pride.
The main ceremony was led by the Chief Guest, Babulal Kharadi, Minister for Tribal Area Development and Home Guards, who hoisted the national flag and extended Republic Day greetings to citizens. After the flag hoisting, he inspected the parade and took the salute from marching contingents.
Police, Home Guards, NCC, Scouts and Guides, and students participated in the march past, displaying impeccable discipline. The Governor’s message was read out by ADM (Administration) Deependra Singh. The programme was attended by Mannalal Rawat, Tarachand Jain, Divisional Commissioner Pragya Kevalramani, IG Gaurav Srivastava, District Collector Namit Mehta, SP Yogesh Goyal, UDA Commissioner Rahul Jain, Zila Parishad CEO Ria Dabi, Municipal Commissioner Abhishek Khanna, along with senior officers, public representatives, families of martyrs and freedom fighters, students, and a large number of citizens.
Parade Enthralls the Audience
One of the key attractions was the parade conducted under the direction of retired army officer Prem Shankar Shrimali, with RI Gulab Singh as Parade Commander. The synchronised march by Rajasthan Police, Home Guards, NSS units, and other contingents, accompanied by band performances, filled the ground with patriotic energy. The audience responded with continuous applause and chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Tribute to Martyrs and Freedom Fighters
During the ceremony, the families of martyrs and freedom fighters were honoured. The parents of martyr Lieutenant Abhinav Nagauri, the widow of martyr Ratanlal Meena, and the wife of freedom fighter Kanhaiyalal Paliwal were felicitated with shawls and coconuts as a mark of respect.
Address by the Chief Guest
In his address, Minister Babulal Kharadi congratulated citizens on Republic Day and highlighted the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram, stating that the song once ignited the freedom struggle and now continues to inspire the vision of a Developed India. He spoke about recent reforms under the Developed India – Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), describing it as a long-term initiative for development and livelihood generation through skill enhancement.
Cultural Performances Add Colour
The ceremony featured mass PT displays by students of the Deaf Senior Secondary School and Central Public Senior Secondary School, showcasing coordination and discipline. Students from St Anthony’s School, Balicha, presented a patriotic group dance that received wide appreciation.
A special highlight was the orchestra performance by inmates of the Central Jail, including a powerful presentation titled Operation Sindoor, written by inmate Parmeshwar Vyas. The group also rendered Vande Mataram, earning applause and commendation from the audience. The orchestra group was honoured with a certificate for its outstanding performance.
Development and Social Awareness Through Tableaux
Colourful tableaux presented by various departments depicted development initiatives and social awareness themes. These included robotic education, urban development projects, livestock insurance, health and nutrition, anti-drug campaigns, prevention of child marriage, women empowerment, forensic science under new criminal laws, and the district’s “Panch Gaurav” showcased on the theme of Vande Mataram @150.
The tableau by the Women and Child Development Department won first prize, while the Animal Husbandry and Medical Departments jointly secured second place.
Felicitation for Outstanding Service
A large number of officers, employees, healthcare professionals, educators, journalists, sportspersons, social workers, and support staff were honoured with certificates for exemplary service in their respective fields. Additionally, 15 individuals were felicitated at the sub-division level for notable contributions in education, sports, administration, agriculture, and social service.
The programme concluded with the national anthem performed by students of Residency School. The event was effectively anchored by Rajendra Sen, Dr Seema Champawat, Ragini Paneri, and Ranveer Singh Ranawat.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
