“Let us Remember the Golden Heritage of Our Country and Feel Proud to be a Part of an Ever Shining India”…
After 26 January, 1950, India was officially designated as the Republic of India. As per the Indian constitution, India was declared a democratic country where the citizens enjoyed a strong democracy and a fair, independent judicial system. There are Fundamental rights to safeguard the citizen and the Directive state of policy that lays down specific rules for managing social affairs. People of India have the right to vote and choose their representatives that govern the country.
For this reason, the Indians celebrate Indian Republic Day or Gantantra Diwas on 26th January, every year. This national festival denotes the importance of India, being a republic country.
1. The freedom fighters decided to fight for India’s freedom on ‘Poorna Swaraj Diwas’ that is 26 January, 1930. After the country got its independence on 15th August, 1947, the Republic day was made to coincide with the day of Swaraj.
2. The Indian constitution that came into force on the Republic Day was the longest, hand-written constitution in the world. Prem Behari Narain Raizada was the person who actually wrote it. His hand-written version is still kept in the Parliament House, well-preserved in a Helium-case.
3. The Republic Day festivities end on 29th January with the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony, held at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi wherein, the members of Indian Air Force, Navy and Army give their performances. The Army pipe bands are accompanied by the Delhi Police and the Central Armed Forces.
4. The PM of India places a wreath of flowers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay his tribute to the deceased.
5. The Republic Day parade in Delhi starts from the gates of the President’s Residence, towards Raisina Hill on Rajpath, past the India Gate. The President of India, who’s also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army takes the customary 21 gun salute offered by the members of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Other civil forces as well as para-military forces also participate in this gallantry march.
6. The Christian hymn ‘Abide with Me’ was a personal favourite of Mahatma Gandhi, ‘the Father of our nation’. Therefore, it is played during the Republic Day celebrations. It was composed by Scottish author Henry Francis Lyte and played on the tunes of English composer William Henry Monk.
7. In the Republic Day valedictory ceremony, the President of India hands out important awards like Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, military awards (Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra), national bravery award for kids ,etc. to the deserving candidates.
8. Sukarno, the former President of Indonesia was the first Chief guest to attend the republic day celebrations of 1950. This year, PM Narendra Modi has invited the Crown Prince of UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the ceremony.
9.The Republic Day Celebrations proceed in the following manner– The PM places tribute to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti. The President unfurls the tricolour while the National Anthem is played. The defence wing gives 21 gunshot salute to the President.
10. It’s followed by the national award ceremony. Thereafter, camel-mounted BSF contingent, NCC cadets, 35th Infantry regiment, Indian forces and jets give group performances. The tableaus presented by different schools and cultural performances by folk artists follows next.
The President of India addresses the entire nation in his Republic Day speech.
