Republic Day Parade: Navy bags best marching contingent award; Maharashtra tops tableau category

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, January 29, 2026: The Indian Navy has been adjudged the best marching contingent among the three wings of the armed forces at this year’s Republic Day Parade, officials said.

Maharashtra won the top prize in the States and Union Territories category for its tableau showcasing Ganeshotsav, while the Ministry of Culture’s tableau celebrating the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram emerged as the winner in the ministries and departments category.

The Navy’s marching contingent, comprising 144 young personnel marching shoulder to shoulder on the historic Kartavya Path, symbolised a progressive and strong maritime force, Navy officials said on Wednesday (January 28, 2026). The Navy secured the top prize among the three services, while the Delhi Police contingent was adjudged the best marching contingent among the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other auxiliary forces.

In the States and Union Territories tableau category, Jammu and Kashmir won the second prize, followed by Kerala in third place. Maharashtra’s tableau blended modernity and tradition, portraying the Ganesh festival as a symbol of self-reliance. A troupe of women dancers, dressed in traditional attire, performed the folk dance Lezim on either side of the tableau as it moved along the ceremonial boulevard.

The Ministry of Culture’s tableau marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, highlighting its composition by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, a rare colonial-era recording by a renowned Marathi singer, and its contemporary rendition by a group representing Gen Z. The tableau, themed “Vande Mataram: The Soul-Cry of a Nation,” depicted the composition of the song in its foreground, with an image of Chatterjee shown on a lower panel.

The middle section featured artistes in traditional costumes symbolising India’s folk diversity, alongside performers in modern attire representing Gen Z. The rear section showcased art installations depicting celebrated Marathi cinema and theatre actor-musician Vishnupant Pagnis recording the song, freedom fighters facing the gallows, and a striking image of Bharat Mata holding the Tricolour. Officials said the tableau highlighted Pagnis’ rare 1928 recording of Vande Mataram.

The award presentation ceremony will be held on January 30 at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp. A special prize was awarded to the Central Public Works Department’s floral tableau commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram, as well as to the dance group titled “Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India.”

In the ‘Popular Choice’ category, based on an online poll conducted on the MyGov portal, citizens voted the Assam Regiment as the best marching contingent among the three services, while the CRPF won the award among the CAPFs and other auxiliary forces.

Gujarat topped the popular choice category for States and Union Territories with its tableau themed “Mantra of Swadeshi–Self-Reliance–Freedom: Vande Mataram,” followed by Uttar Pradesh (theme: Culture of Bundelkhand) and Rajasthan (theme: Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art).

The Department of School Education and Literacy’s tableau, themed on the National Education Policy, was selected as the best tableau among central ministries and departments in the ‘Popular Choice’ category, officials said.