The Indian Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, making India a republic. India became independent in 1947, before that it was under British rule for 200 years. British divided India into two separate states while leaving. Though it was an internal matter of Jinnah, Muslim League and Congress but British were the decisive bodies so they will always be there to blame. In 1950 India became a republic, which is a mixture of 15 official languages, 24 accepted languages, communities of 5 religions, and countless cultures. Indian Republic day celebration is a symbolic reverence to country, constitution and everyone who stands behind it.
People celebrate the anniversary of this day with great enthusiasm. The country celebrates it as a symbol of the diversity of the Republic. On the morning of Republic Day, the President of the country starts the program by paying obeisance to Amar Jawan Jyoti, situated under India Gate in the capital New Delhi. Amar Jawan Jyoti is the crest of eternal fire that appears to be a sacrifice made for the country. After saluting that sacrifice, the President rewards all veterans who have made extraordinary contributions in their fields.
A grand parade starts from New Delhi’s Rajpath followed by the award ceremony. Different regiments of the Navy, Army, and Air Force of the country start the march past with great decor. This celebration is the time of exciting performances by our armed forces. After this come to every group of the country. These groups represent the splendor of the culture of the states. This moving parade showcases people of every state, music, dance, dress and special physical items, etc. Thousands of people come to see it, and most of the citizens also enjoy it through TV.
The Indian Constitution is longer than the Constitution of all the independent countries of the world. It has six articles and 117 revisions. It declares India to be an independent, democratic, secular, socialist republic.
Why we celebrate Indian Republic Day on 26 January:
On 26 November 1949 Constitution of our country was adopted. On 26 January 1950, it came into force. Indians celebrate this day as Indian Republic Day. You must be thinking what is so special about the date 26 January for this solemn occasion? The reason behind it is the pivotal role played by 26 January in our freedom struggle against the British and getting our constitutional framework.
During British Rule, on 19 December 1929, Indian National Congress passed ‘Poorna Swaraj’ resolution in Lahore, It as an act of defense against British rule. ‘Poorna Swaraj’ meant complete self-governance. A month later, on 26 January 1930, a formal Declaration of Independence and Proclamation of Poorna Swaraj was made by Congress. For the first time in history, this day was celebrated as India’s Independence Day. Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders called on Indian people to abolish taxes. Subsequently, the Dandi march was initiated on 12 March 1930. This chain of events gave momentum to the Indian Independence Movement and laid the foundation for the Nation-wide Civil Disobedience Movement.
Also, Congress started the tradition of Celebrating Independence Day and honoring freedom fighters on 26 January every year. With such a rich history associated, Constitution makers saw it befitting to honor this day by making it Indian Republic Day when the whole nation celebrates ‘Poorna Swaraj’ powered by the Indian Constitution. Jai Hind.
The reason behind the Indian Republic Day Parade:
India got its Independence from Britain on 15 August 1947. Even after it, India was a dominion of Britain with King George VI as head of state. All the official work of the Indian government was still undertaken in the name of the British Crown. Our Independence was still incomplete.
Therefore to organize such a big event on Independence Day consisting of military parades amongst others, wasn’t considered suitable for two reasons. First, India was, though nominally still under the British Crown and second, to project the power of new resurgent India, we needed to have an Indian Head of State. For that to happen, our Constitution had to be promulgated first. After the completion and adoption of the Constitution on 26 January 1950, India proclaimed itself a republic.
The first Indian President, His Excellency Dr.Rajendra Prasad, became Head of State as well as supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The Indian government was now working under our President’s authority. Hence, we got true Independence from Britain. On top of that, we also had our law of the land ‘The Indian Constitution’. To celebrate, the occasion and to show the whole world the might of new India, capable of dealing with any kind of threats, the first Indian Republic Day Parade presided over by President Dr.Rajendra Prasad, was organized on 26 January 1950.
Because of such importance of Indian Republic Day, the BIG event to celebrate India’s military power and cultural diversity of India, evolved into a tradition that is carried to this day and will be carried out in the future.
Indian Republic Day Facts:
- Previously, 26 January was celebrated as ‘Poorna Swaraj’.
- On 26 January in the year 1950, the Constitution of India was brought into force.
- Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, took his Presidential Oath on 26 January 1950.
- Indian Republic Day Celebration is a three-day-long affair, which ends on 29 January with Beating Retreat Ceremony.
- You would be amused to know that the first Republic Day Parade was conducted on Rajpath in 1955 instead of 1950.
- A Christian song that goes by the name “Abide with Me” is played on Republic Day Parade each year. It is often said that this is the most favorite song of Mahatma Gandhi.
- The announcement of Important Awards like Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards & Kirti Chakra is also made on Republic Day.
- Last year, on the 70th Republic Day Celebrations, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was also present.
- Like we all know, in the Republic Day Parade, many rallies are presented like that, last year 17 rallies from different States & Union Territories & 6 rallies from different Ministries was presented, and the theme for those rallies was based on Gandhi.
- Every year on the event of Republic Day, our Prime Minister pays tribute to the martyrs at the National War Memorial situated at India Gate.
- A fascinating fact about last year’s Republic Day Parade was that the first time Indian Air Force flew an aircraft on blended biofuel.
- Very first time in the history of Indian Republic Day Parade 2019, from Assam Rifles, which is the oldest paramilitary force of India, all-woman contingent participated.
