India celebrates its 77th Republic Day with prominent guests from EU

Indian President Droupadi Murmu presided over the celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on the occasion of 77th Republic Day of the nation on Monday. As per tradition, the national flag was unfurled by President Murmu, followed by the national anthem with a thunderous 21-gun salute using 105 mm light field guns, an indigenously developed artillery system.

 This year’s parade also commemorated 150 years of Vande Mataram, the national song. Adding diplomatic significance to the celebrations, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and president of the European Council Antonio Luís Santos da Costa attended the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests.