Republic Day 2026 began with a poignant moment of national remembrance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the National War Memorial in Delhi. The solemn ceremony marked the official opening of the Republic Day proceedings, with a wreath laid in honour of India’s fallen soldiers and a heartfelt moment of silence dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed everything for the nation. The Prime Minister was welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh upon his arrival, and the tribute included a two-minute silence followed by the “Rouse” and the Salami Shastra command, a deeply emotional start to the nation’s grand celebration. This year’s Republic Day carries a powerful theme: “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, celebrating India’s patriotic spirit and its journey of freedom. WATCH 

India has erupted in protest against Bangladesh following a wave of violence that has raised serious concerns over minority safety and regional stability. The unrest was triggered by the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year’s anti-Sheikh Hasina uprising, and escalated after a Hindu garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched and set on fire over unproven blasphemy allegations. The killing sparked massive demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, where security was dramatically tightened with multiple barricades and deployments of police and paramilitary forces.