Video: India's Republic Day celebrations close with spectacular military ceremony Military bands from the army, navy and air force performed a series of Indian tunes, as well as a rendition of Scottish song The Hundred Pipers. Attended by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the ceremony at the Vijay Chowk on January 29th every year marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. India became a republic on January 26, 1950, and celebrates the day with military parades, pomp and ceremony in all major cities.