India celebrates 77th Republic Day with Focus on 150 Years of Vande Mataram

India commemorated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026, marking the anniversary of the Constitution of India coming into force in 1950 and the country’s formal emergence as a Sovereign Democratic Republic. While Independence in August 1947 ended colonial rule, the adoption of the Constitution completed India’s transition to self-governance grounded in constitutional authority, democratic institutions, and the collective will of its people.

Republic Day is observed annually through ceremonies that showcase the functioning of democratic institutions and the nation’s cultural diversity.

The central celebrations are held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, where the Republic Day Parade presents a blend of military precision, cultural expression, and regional representation. Similar observances take place across the country through flag-hoisting ceremonies, official programmes, and cultural events in states, districts, educational institutions, and local communities.

The 2026 celebrations centred on “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, highlighting the enduring significance of the national song in India’s freedom movement and its continuing relevance to the nation’s aspirations. The theme reflected across the parade, tableaux, cultural performances, and public outreach initiatives.

At the national level, the Republic Day Parade 2026 featured 30 tableaux from States, Union Territories, and central ministries based on the themes Swatantrata ka Mantra – Vande Mataram and Samriddhi ka Mantra – Atmanirbhar Bharat. Around 2,500 artists participated in cultural performances, while nearly 10,000 Special Guests from diverse backgrounds including farmers, artisans, scientists, women entrepreneurs, students, sportspersons, and frontline workers attended the gathering. The parade included a Battle Array format by the Indian Army for the first time. The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission also attended as Chief Guests.

Complementing the main event, the government launched nationwide competitions through MyGov and MY Bharat to encourage citizen participation. These initiatives aim to connect people, especially youth, with Republic Day celebrations, reinforcing the occasion as both a ceremonial and participatory national event.

President Smt Droupadi Murmu approved Gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous, on the eve of 77th Republic Day. These include one Ashok Chakra; three Kirti Chakras; 13 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous; one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry); 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous; six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Flying (Pilot), of the Indian Air Force has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra for displaying exceptional courage, leadership, and devotion to duty.

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Mr. Ramesh Babu Potla

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A Global Leader in SAP S/4HANA and Digital Enterprise Transformation

Ramesh Babu Potla is a highly accomplished digital transformation leader and enterprise technology professional with over two decades of experience driving large-scale SAP S/4HANA and ERP modernization programs across global manufacturing and supply-chain–driven organizations. He holds an MBA, which strengthens his ability to align enterprise technology initiatives with business strategy, financial governance, and operational outcomes.

Throughout his career, Ramesh has served in critical delivery and leadership roles, overseeing global template execution, cross-regional coordination, and transformation governance for mission-critical ERP initiatives. He has successfully led SAP S/4HANA implementations across North America, EMEA, and APAC, ensuring standardization, scalability, and operational readiness within complex enterprise landscapes. His ability to define clear accountability across IT PMO, architecture, and delivery teams has enabled predictable execution under demanding timelines.

Beyond execution, Ramesh has driven continuous improvement through disciplined risk management, optimized deployment strategies, and effective resource orchestration. His leadership during major upgrades and global rollouts has helped organizations achieve system stability while meeting strict budget and schedule commitments. He has also championed innovation by enabling cloud-based and AI-driven capabilities that improve automation, enhance developer productivity, and accelerate data-driven decision making.

Under his stewardship, organizations have realized improved process consistency, reduced operational risk, and measurable gains in efficiency and service reliability. Ramesh is recognized for mentoring high-performing teams, translating complex technical challenges into business value, and leading digital transformation initiatives that deliver lasting organizational impact.

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Mr. Pulkit Singhal

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A Catalyst of Change in Digital Banking and Fintech Innovation

Pulkit Singhal stands as a force multiplier in India’s digital banking and fintech evolution—a transformational leader whose career is defined by vision, velocity, and value creation. With over 18 years of high-impact leadership, he has consistently driven enterprise-scale digital reinvention, reshaping how financial institutions design, deploy, and deliver technology-led growth.

Anchored in a strong academic foundation in electronic technology, Singhal blends intellectual rigor with real-world execution. This rare combination has empowered him to master the complex DNA of digital banking, from core banking solutions (CBS) and payments ecosystems to regulatory-grade architectures that scale with confidence. His journey across India’s most dynamic fintech and banking institutions has sharpened his ability to decode complexity and convert it into competitive advantage.

Since March 2025, as SVP – Technology at RUGR, Singhal has been steering connected banking innovation, orchestrating product engineering and technology delivery with precision and purpose. His leadership footprint spans marquee organizations such as IndusInd Bank, Paytm Payments Bank, Wipro, Infosys, and Mahindra Satyam—where he galvanized cross-functional teams to build resilient, future-ready financial platforms.

Singhal’s expertise cuts deep: CBS migrations, digital lending systems, payment gateway architectures, and compliance-first frameworks. His solutions are not theoretical—they are battle-tested, delivering measurable gains in operational efficiency, risk resilience, and customer experience. Every initiative reflects his obsession with outcomes, not optics.

Beyond technology, Pulkit Singhal is a strategic bridge-builder, aligning business ambition with execution excellence. He champions collaborative innovation, empowering teams to create customer-centric, regulator-ready banking solutions. Armed with RBI-certified cyber security expertise, CAIIB Risk Management, CDPO, CCLP, and Harvard finance credentials, his career embodies one truth: transformational fintech leadership demands both technical depth and bold strategic vision.

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Ms. Vijitha Uppuluri

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Advancing Public Health Through Data-Driven Innovation

Vijitha Uppuluri stands as an exemplary leader whose career reflects an extraordinary blend of scientific knowledge, analytical mastery, and a deep commitment to advancing public health through data-driven innovation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from RGUHS, Karnataka, dual master’s degrees, an MBA from VJIM, Hyderabad, and an M.S. in Information Assurance from Wilmington University and has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5 throughout her educational journey. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at Walden University, further strengthening her scholarly and research impact.

With over a decade of experience in business intelligence, data science, and machine learning, Vijitha has delivered transformative insights across healthcare, technology, and research ecosystems. Her work seamlessly bridges scientific rigor with advanced analytics, enabling organizations to make informed decisions that improve outcomes and drive meaningful, sustainable change.

Her research expertise spans critical domains such as vaccine effectiveness, real-world clinical data, health disparities, and AI-supported public health insights. Her ability to translate complex datasets into actionable strategies has positioned her as an emerging and influential voice in epidemiology and applied data science.

Beyond her technical accomplishments, Vijitha is widely recognized for her leadership, integrity, and commitment to ethical innovation. She actively champions responsible data practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of technology to address real-world public health challenges.

Her academic excellence, professional contributions, and unwavering pursuit of innovation make her a distinguished nominee, one whose work continues to uplift communities, inspire peers, and create lasting impact across the fields of public health and data science.

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Mr. Sagar Mahesh Choukse

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A Proven Leader Delivering High-Impact Civil Infrastructure

Sagar Choukse is a seasoned Civil Engineering professional with 14 years of experience in the civil construction industry, recognized for consistent performance, strong technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

His career began with hands-on site execution and progressively advanced by developing deep knowledge of construction methodologies, project coordination, planning and safety management.

Over the course of his career, he has successfully contributed to and led a diverse portfolio of projects, demonstrating the ability to manage complex challenges, adhere to demanding schedules, and deliver high construction standards. His expertise includes team leadership, coordination with consultants and contractors, and ensuring full compliance with drawings, specifications, and statutory requirements.

Being a Project Management professional, he has taken end-to-end ownership of projects—from planning, design coordination and Procurement through execution and handover. He brings strong experience across Critical Data Center projects, Institutional, Hospitality and Commercial developments, with extensive exposure to global quality standards, effective negotiations, governance frameworks, and structured reporting systems. He has implemented robust project controls for schedule, cost, quality, and safety; introduced transparent reporting mechanisms; driven value engineering initiatives; and enforced accountability across multidisciplinary teams.

Proactive in identifying construction and interface risks, he has consistently enabled timely mitigation, minimizing delays and optimizing project outcomes. Known for his adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement, he is regarded as a reliable professional who delivers projects efficiently, responsibly, and to the highest standards.

His contributions extend beyond technical expertise. As a mentor and leader, he fosters collaboration and creativity, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. His problem-solving attitude is reflected in his works that addresses real-world challenges effectively.

His 14-year journey reflects perseverance, professionalism, and a sustained drive for excellence in the civil construction industry.

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Mr. Argha Das

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Argha Das: A leader at the forefront of consulting excellence

Argha Das began his journey with an undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication, graduating with distinction—a testament to his strong technical abilities and inventive mindset. Argha, then, pursued an MBA at the School of Business Management, NMIMS Mumbai, where he graduated with an impressive CGPA of 3.51 earning him a spot on the institution’s prestigious Dean’s List for two consecutive years.

During his MBA, Argha distinguished himself by achieving podium finishes in 76 national-level business case competitions—including 17 corporate and 59 B-school competitions. This remarkable accomplishment led to his recognition as the Forbes Unstop All India #3 B-School Leader in 2023, after previously securing a top 100 spot in 2022. His achievements also earned him features in prestigious publications such as Forbes and Economic Times. This level of excellence reflects his innovative problem-solving. Also, as an active mentor, Argha now guides students across their MBA journey.

After completing his MBA, Argha embarked on a career in consulting and is currently with Deloitte USI, where he helps clients harness Generative AI to transform their businesses into scalable and profitable solutions. With experience in operations and strategy, Argha has been instrumental in developing solutions that have transformed key industry benchmarks.

A strategist at heart, Argha actively collaborates with multiple NGOs, spearheading social initiatives and playing a key role in developing pioneering solutions that enhance operational processes and contribute to the overall upliftment of the communities these NGOs serve.

Argha envisions a future where the vast potential of AI drives the creation of a more equitable society, and he is dedicated to making a positive social impact through his efforts. At IAF, we are proud to honor him as a visionary leader whose trailblazing contributions have made a considerable influence on society.

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Mr. Srinivas Raju Gottimukkala

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From Geophysical AI to Market Mastery: The Cross-Disciplinary Genius of Srinivas Raju Gottimukkala

With a robust 25-year career at the intersection of Finance and Supply Chain, Srinivas Raju Gottimukkala’s journey is built on a unique educational foundation. Holding dual Bachelor’s degrees in Commerce and Company Law, complemented by a Master’s in Project Management with an IT specialization, he has consistently leveraged this dual-domain expertise to occupy leading roles in top global corporations. This rare blend of deep industry knowledge and technical acumen has positioned him as a visionary, capable of identifying systemic inefficiencies and pioneering AI-driven solutions that bridge the gap between complex operational challenges and cutting-edge technology.

The foundation for Mr. Gottimukkala’s international recognition rests on two pivotal pillars: tangible industry impact and groundbreaking academic research. His decade of leadership in digital transformation at John Deere was instrumental in generating billions in value, from architecting solutions with a $2.5 billion financial impact to advancing a $12 billion organizational initiative. This direct, high-stakes application—designing systems that saved hundreds of man-hours and AI processes saving 90% of operational time—provided a compelling narrative of success. This expertise is further exemplified by his groundbreaking project with Feed Energy Company, where he adapted a geophysical AI framework for “Economic Full Waveform Inversion” to forecast volatile agricultural prices. The pilot delivered transformative results, including projected annual savings of $2.3–$4.1 million through optimized procurement and hedging, underscoring his ability to execute cross-disciplinary innovations with immediate, quantifiable business impact.

The significance of Mr. Gottimukkala’s work is further cemented by his scholarly output, including more than 13 published papers in premier venues like IEEE and Springer conferences. These publications, recognized by scholars from prestigious U.S. institutions, detail his original contributions across AI, finance, and supply chain. Their impact extends far beyond academia. As detailed in industry testimonials, his frameworks address a critical U.S. industry gap, where reactive practices cause an estimated $12–18 billion in annual inefficiencies. At a national level, widespread adoption of his models for key commodities could generate billions in yearly savings for the U.S. biofuel and food manufacturing sectors. This global recognition and scalable economic impact highlight how his research is actively reshaping strategic risk management and securing the resilience of vital supply chains worldwide.

His journey demonstrates that the most profound innovations are born at the confluence of deep experience and fearless intellectual exploration, challenging us to look beyond traditional boundaries.

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Sai Keerthana Mudigonda

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Sai Keerthana Mudigonda: A Journey Shaped by Responsibility and Purpose

Responsibility found Sai Keerthana Mudigonda early – and she chose to carry it. From a young age, her life was guided by a deep involvement in community development, a steady belief that individual effort must serve a larger collective. This early alignment with purpose shaped how she learned, led, and measured success.

Her academic path reflected this clarity. Recognised for exceptional scholastic excellence, Sai Keerthana was honoured with the Bal Puraskar by the Government of Telangana at a very young age – an affirmation of discipline, perseverance, and quiet excellence. A consistent merit student, she earned trust through focus and follow-through, often taking ownership beyond what was expected.

Her journey later expanded to the United Kingdom, where she studied at Cardiff Metropolitan University. College became a defining chapter one where thought met action. As the President of Enactus CMET, she led initiatives that bridged entrepreneurship and social impact, translating ideas into community-centric outcomes. These experiences strengthened her conviction that economic growth holds meaning only when it uplifts people and builds resilient communities.

Sai Keerthana’s leadership is marked by composure and intent. She leads with structure, not noise; with empathy, not assertion. Known for her command over planning and execution, she believes technology is only as powerful as the values guiding its use. For her, people, systems, and long-term impact remain inseparable.

Today, as the Co-founder of JAC Magnus Private Limited, she continues to build with integrity and responsibility. The Young Achiever Award 2025 from the Indian Achievers Forum stands not merely as recognition, but as a calling – to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. In her journey, progress is not defined by speed or scale, but by purpose carried forward, and impact built to last.

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PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES PARAM VIR DIRGHA AT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

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The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan today on December 16, 2025 on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.

The Gallery has the portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on display. The Gallery aims to educate visitors about our national heroes who displayed dauntless resolve and unconquerable spirit in defending our nation. It is also an initiative to honour the memory of our bravehearts who have laid down their lives in the service of the motherland.

The corridors where the Param Vir Dirgha has now been created, earlier displayed portraits of British ADCs. The initiative to display portraits of Indian national heroes marks a meaningful step toward shedding the colonial mindset and embracing, with pride, the richness of India’s culture, heritage, and timeless traditions.

The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military decoration, awarded for displaying the most exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war.

Source: Press Secretary office

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Omprakash H

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Path to Excellence in Digital HR

Omprakash H’s journey is a testament to unwavering commitment, strategic foresight and impactful leadership in the field of HR digital transformation. With more than 26 years of experience, Omprakash leads the Global Delivery for SAP HXM solutions and Director at Blueprint HR Software Solutions, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s global presence. His deep expertise and forward-thinking approach have enabled organizations across industries to unlock the full potential of their HR operations through cutting-edge cloud and digital solutions.

Under his leadership, Blueprint HR Software Solutions has delivered numerous successful large-scale SAP HXM implementations that have become benchmarks in the industry. The organization has earned multiple recognitions from SAP at global levels for its innovative, customer-centric solutions—an achievement that reflects Omprakash’s relentless focus on excellence and innovation. His accomplishments were further recognized when he was named one of the Top 10 HR Transformation Excellence Awardees by HR SuccessTalk, a milestone that highlights his influence and thought leadership in the HR tech domain.

Omprakash’s pursuit of continuous learning is equally inspiring. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration from Manipal GlobalNxt University, Malaysia, further strengthening his academic foundation and research contributions in business transformation. Beyond his professional and academic achievements, Omprakash is a Lifetime Member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) and a Certified Independent Director from the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA)—credentials that reflect his governance expertise and commitment to ethical leadership.

Omprakash H’s story is not just one of professional success, but of sustained impact. His journey continues to inspire teams and leaders across the HR and technology landscape, proving that vision, dedication, and continuous innovation create lasting transformation.

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India celebrates 77th Republic Day with Focus on 150 Years of Vande Mataram

Mr. Ramesh Babu Potla

Mr. Pulkit Singhal

Ms. Vijitha Uppuluri

Mr. Sagar Mahesh Choukse

Mr. Argha Das

Mr. Srinivas Raju Gottimukkala

Sai Keerthana Mudigonda

PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES PARAM VIR DIRGHA AT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

Omprakash H

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