21 January,2026 05:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
The drill will be performed to patriotic songs. Pic/Special Arrangement
Lakhs of students studying in government and private schools within the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) limits will take part in a large-scale, synchronised mass drill on January 26 as part of Republic Day celebrations.
The drill will be performed to patriotic songs and will involve students from schools of all mediums across the civic area.
The initiative follows directions issued by the Director of Education, Maharashtra State, asking schools across the state to mark Republic Day with various activities.
Acting on these instructions, the KDMC Education Department issued a circular to all schools under its jurisdiction, asking them to begin preparations for the mass drill.
Over the past month, schools have been conducting daily practice sessions lasting 20 minutes to train students in synchronised drills with music. In addition, longer practice sessions of at least one hour have been held every Saturday to ensure proper coordination and uniform performance, officials said.
On Republic Day, students from schools grouped under each cluster and Cluster Resource Centre (CRC) will present their mass drill performances at the cluster and CRC levels across the KDMC area.
To review the preparations, Education Department Administrative Officer Bharat Bornare and Education Officer Vijay Sarkate visited several schools in Kalyan East. These included KDMC CRC School Milind Nagar, Sharda Mandir, Matoshri Rakhmabai Gaikwad Vidyalaya, and KDMC CRC Netivali.
During the visits, the officials observed the practice sessions and provided guidance to teachers and students.
Officials said the mass drill initiative is meant to promote discipline, unity and a sense of patriotism among students, while making Republic Day celebrations more engaging and meaningful.
