CelebrationsThe Republic Day celebration highlights the nation's achievements in various fields, the military prowess, dazzling showcase of air and our diverse cultural heritage.
On this day, people of the country celebrate and enjoy the real spirit of Independence. The celebrations not only uphold secularism and democracy but also showcase the country's rich culture, languages, dialects, traditions, customs and religions. This year the country is witnessing its 62nd Republic Day.
Every Indian state holds Republic Day celebration. Cultural events and the flag hoisting ceremony are also organised at schools, colleges, offices and other institutions throughout the nation.
The capital city of New Delhi witnesses a grand parade. The parade ceremony is commenced at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, where the Prime Minister (External website that opens in a new window) Dr Manmohan Singh pays homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath.
The President of India (External website that opens in a new window) hoists the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute. The different regiments of India's Army, Navy and Air Force march in-synchrony from Rashtrapati Bhavan, along the Rajpath and reach the India Gate, saluting the President of India (External website that opens in a new window) who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. This is followed by a massive parade by other military troops including State Regiments and Paramilitary Forces of India.
Tableaux, representing different States, Central Ministries and Departments, showcase the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country. Children from various schools, representing unity in diversity, perform folk dances from different states.
Jaanbaz, the motorcycle display by the Border Security Force (BSF) (External website that opens in a new window), always remains a major attraction of the parade. Their synchronized and breathtaking stunts enthrall the audience.
A spectacular fly past by the Indian Air Force (External website that opens in a new window) marks the grand finale of the parade. A streak of jet planes etch the sky with colourful patterns and shower rose petals on the spectators.
DD National, DD News and other channels of Doordarshan (External website that opens in a new window) show live telecast of the flag hoisting ceremony, followed by the Republic Day parade. The All India Radio also broadcasts the event.
'Beating the Retreat' Every evening from January 26th to 29th, all the major government buildings are illuminated with lights. On the third day after the Republic Day, on January 29, 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony is conducted at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking the closing ceremony of Republic Day.
On the occasion, massed bands march to popular tunes and drummers also give solo performances. At 6 pm, the buglers sound the retreat and the National Flag is lowered to formally end the Republic Day celebrations.
HistoryThough India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.
A salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National Flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on that day. Thereafter 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and was recognised as the Republic Day of India.
The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to choose their own government and paved the way for democracy. Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in Government House and this was followed by the Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the National Flag.
Journey of Indian Republic
60 years back, a salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on January 26, 1950; 894 days after our country became a dominion following withdrawal of British Rule. Since then, every year the day is celebrated with great pride and happiness all over the nation.
The transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign, secular, and democratic nation was indeed historical. It was a long journey of around two decades that started with the conceptualisation of the dream in 1930 to its actual realization in 1950. A look into the journey that led to the birth of Indian Republic will make our celebrations more meaningful.
Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress
The seeds of a republican nation were sowed at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at the midnight of 31st December 1929. The session was held under the presidency of Pt. Jawarhar Lal Nehru. Those present in the meeting took a pledge to mark January 26 as "Independence Day" in order to march towards realizing the dream of complete independence from the British. The Lahore Session paved way to the Civil Disobedience movement. It was decided that January 26, 1930 would be observed as the Purna Swaraj (complete Independence) Day. Many Indian political parties and Indian revolutionaries from all over the country united to observe the day with honour and pride.
Indian Constituent Assembly Meetings
The Indian Constituent Assembly, which was constituted as a result of the negotiations between the Indian leaders and members of the British Cabinet Mission, had its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Objective of the Assembly was to give India a constitution, which would serve a lasting purpose and hence appointed a number of committees to thoroughly research the various aspects of the proposed constitution. The recommendations were discussed, debated and revised many times before the Indian Constitution was finalized and officially adopted three years later on November 26, 1949.
Constitution came into force
Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it enjoyed the true spirit of Independence on January 26, 1950 when the Constitution of India finally came into force. The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to govern themselves by choosing their own government. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, took oath as the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in the Government House and this was followed by the Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the National Flag.
Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor all around the country. The day owes its importance to the constitution of India that was adopted on this day. On this Republic Day, read what the great Constitution of India, that propounds liberal democracy, has in its store. Let's also feel proud in pronouncing what the Preamble to our Constitution (External website that opens in a new window) says.
Quotes
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of Independent India, in his special message to his countrymen, on the birth of the Indian Republic, said:
"We must re-dedicate ourselves on this day to the peaceful but sure realization of the dream that had inspired the Father of our Nation and the other captains and soldiers of our freedom struggle, the dream of establishing a classless, co-operative, free and happy society in 'his country'. We must remember that this is more a day of dedications than of rejoicing - dedication to the glorious task of making the peasants and workers the toilers and the thinkers fully free, happy and cultured."
C. Rajagopalachari, His Excellency the Governor-General in a broadcast talk from the Delhi Station of All-India Radio on Jan 26, 1950 said:
"On the eve of my laying down office, with the inauguration of the Republic, I should like to tender my greetings and best wishes to the men and women of India who will henceforth be a citizen of a republic. I feel deeply thankful for the affection showered on me by all sections of the people, which alone enabled me to bear the burden of an office to the duties and conventions of which I had been an utter stranger."
Each year, 26th January is a day on which every Indian heart fills up with patriotic fervour and immense love for motherland. There are many significant memories as it was this day when the Indian Tricolour was first unfurled in January 1930 at Lahore, by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and the declaration of an independent Indian National Congress was made.
26th January, 1950 was the day when the Indian republic and its constitution came into force. It was this day in history in 1965 when Hindi was declared as the official language of India.
