India, Jan. 22 -- For many Indians who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, Republic Day mornings evoke a nostalgia that feels almost cinematic. Long before smartphones and streaming platforms dominated living rooms, the nation paused on 26 January to gather around television sets and take part in a ritual that felt both grand and deeply personal.

The day often began with a sharp winter chill. Schools were closed, homework could wait, and the usual weekday rush simply did not exist. Families settled under thick blankets, cups of tea steaming close by, as the television flickered to life. The Republic Day parade was more than a programme on screen. It was an event that commanded everyone's attention. Parents adjusted antennas, grandparen...