Pune, 26th January 2026: The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Pune on Monday, with the main state ceremony held at the Police Parade Ground in Shivajinagar. Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the ceremonial parade.
Addressing the gathering, Ajit Pawar said that India has emerged as the worldтАЩs largest and most successful democracy because of the strength of the Constitution. тАЬWith diverse languages, religions, castes and cultures, India stands united due to the values of equality, liberty, fraternity and justice enshrined in the Constitution. Preserving this democratic system is the responsibility of every citizen,тАЭ he said.
He extended Republic Day greetings to elected representatives, freedom fighters and their families, officers and personnel from the armed forces, paramilitary forces, police, and citizens present at the ceremony.
Pawar paid tributes to known and unknown freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for the nation. He also remembered the martyrs of the Goa Liberation Movement, HyderabadтАУMarathwada Liberation Movement, and the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. He expressed gratitude to soldiers who have laid down their lives to protect the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.
Referring to Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri and gallantry award winners, Pawar said that the inclusion of MaharashtraтАЩs personalities among the recipients of national awards is a matter of pride for the state. He noted that achievers from the fields of art, industry, social service, sports, medicine, agriculture, and public service have brought national recognition to Maharashtra.
He said Pune has played a historic and decisive role in the freedom movement and social reform. тАЬToday, Pune is ahead in agriculture, industry, trade, cooperation, banking, healthcare and infrastructure. It is also recognised as an IT hub, auto hub and a major startup centre, attracting youth from India and abroad,тАЭ Pawar added.
Pawar said the Constitution drafted under the leadership of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar is not merely a legal document but a powerful instrument of social transformation. тАЬIt guarantees equal rights, freedom of expression and religion, and social justice, which has strengthened IndiaтАЩs democracy,тАЭ he said.
He added that MaharashtraтАЩs progress is rooted in the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr Ambedkar, and these ideas must guide the state and nation towards sustainable development.
Praising the services of the Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, police and disaster management teams, Pawar said their sacrifices at the borders, in internal security and during emergencies are inspiring for the nation.
тАЬDemocracy is not limited to voting alone. Respecting the Constitution, following the law, maintaining social harmony and nurturing unity in diversity are collective duties of every citizen,тАЭ he said.
Honour for Police Officers and Personnel
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar felicitated police officers and personnel for their outstanding service. Those honoured included Anti-Corruption Bureau Deputy Superintendent Dayanand Sadasiv Gavade, Police Inspector Avinash Rokderao Shilimkar, SRPF Group No. 1 Assistant Sub-Inspector Pradeep Sahebrao Sanantu, Pimpri-Chinchwad Assistant Commissioner Vitthal Kubde, along with Mahendra Damodar Kore, Amol Fadtare and Deputy Superintendent Anant Mali.
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тАШSwachh Pune SankalpтАУ2026тАЩ Campaign Launched
Ajit Pawar also flagged off the publicity vehicle for Pune Municipal CorporationтАЩs тАШSwachh Pune SankalpтАУ2026тАЩ campaign. The initiative focuses on cleanliness, environmental conservation and active citizen participation.
Through the campaign, awareness will be created about waste segregation, plastic-free habits, cleanliness in public places and citizensтАЩ responsibilities.
Present on the occasion were Divisional Commissioner Dr Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, Pune District Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, senior civic officials, public representatives and sanitation department staff in large numbers.
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