Harkeerat Jassal (13) and Khushbu Gandhi (14), students from the Tata Parsi School in Nagpur, Maharashtra, are eagerly anticipating the day they have been working towards since practices began in November last year. In between swinging a long stick that forms a part of the school’s Chattisgarh dance performance, Jassal says: “We have a chance to not only represent Maharashtra but also to celebrate our country — that’s why we chose another state’s dance.”

Assembling props alongside the dancers were students from Kamal Model Senior Secondary School in Mohan Garden. Most were preparing a skit for the first time. “We’re looking back at India’s 60 years of independence through this play,” says 13-year old Jyoti (name changed), who admitted she was slightly nervous about performing in front of an audience of such proportions.

During this year’s celebrations, approximately 850 students will represent 23 schools from Delhi, and 450 students will participate from schools in the northeast, south and south central cultural zones, said officials of the Directorate of Education (DoE).

Competition for a chance to perform on Republic Day can be stiff. P S Tiwari, who is leading students from Nagpur, says: “While the Ministry of Defence decided that Maharashtra will represent the south central cultural zone this year, there is competition between schools within the state.” Students from 35 Nagpur schools competed, from which 20 were eventually chosen. Schools and zones will compete for prizes, including best dance, music and rhythm on Republic Day. Choreographers, costume designers and music teachers accompany students from each school, to ensure their performance makes the maximum impact.

“Maharashtra has won a prize every year for the past five years,” says Khushbu, adding, “I hope our batch can win again.”

But some schools are participating in the Republic Day parade for the first time. Rajesh Kumar, a Class XI student from the Government Boys’ Senior Secondary School, Padam Nagar, says: “I’m very happy to be here, to celebrate directly.”

Holding aloft paper-mache sticks with flames, made by the students themselves, Kumar and his schoolmates rehearse their play on freedom fighters. The actors perform in mime with the song Sarfaroshi Ki Tamana blaring from a loudspeaker in the background.