Bhubaneswar, 26 January 2026: The 77th State-level Republic Day celebration was held with grandeur and patriotic fervour at Mahatma Gandhi Marg here. Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati unfurled the National Flag at 8.30 AM and received the ceremonial salute at the parade.
The venue was ceremonially decorated, and the atmosphere resonated with patriotic songs and police band performances.
A total of 46 contingents from various services and educational institutions participated in the parade. The parade was supervised by Rakesh Kumar Sahoo, SDPO, R. Udayagiri, with Sarat Chandra Jani, Deputy Commandant, 1st IR Battalion, Koraput, serving as Parade Commander. Sekhar Mohapatra acted as Adjutant, while Parameswar Hansdah, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Armed), 7th Battalion, Bhubaneswar, performed duties as Special Officer.
Following the parade, captivating cultural performances were presented by various troupes, including ‘Sahijata’ by Rangasala, Puri; ‘Pasumukha’ by Bichitra Barnali Natya Sansad, Ganjam; ‘Bada Ghoda’ by Baidehi Kala Parisada, Puri; ‘Dolajata Patuara’ by Sankirtan Kalakar Urnayan Parisad, Cuttack; and a Santali dance by Sarana Marshall Cultural Sangha, Mayurbhanj.
Tableaux presented by different Government Departments highlighted key development initiatives and achievements. Departments such as Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Commerce & Transport, Energy, Fisheries & ARD, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, Health & Family Welfare, Home, Housing & Urban Development, Mission Shakti, Panchayatiraj & Drinking Water, School & Mass Education, Skill Development & Technical Education, Tourism, and Works participated in the tableau movement, showcasing flagship schemes and programmes.
Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners-cum-Secretaries of various departments and senior police officers were present at the programme. Among others, Director, Information & Public Relations, Anuj Kumar Daspattanaik, Director (Technical) Gurbir Singh, any many senior officers, attended the ceremony.
The programme was coordinated by Sucheta Priyadarsini, Deputy Director (Field), with the support of Miss Rojalin Sahu and Binayak Mishra, Public Relations Officers of the I&PR Department.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma, Director General of Police Y. B. Khurania, and Deputy Director General, NCC, Commodore Vikram Singh also attended the event.
