Republic Day is one of the most important days in Indian and
world history, as it marks the genesis of the seventh largest nation and the
largest democracy in the world. Albeit, the country got its sovereignty almost
two and a half years back but it became autonomous and we gained our enfranchisement
from this very day. It is among the national holidays of India but it is more
than just a holiday, its history darts back to a victorious past of the Common
Indian men against the presumed unvanquishable British hegemony through
non-violence. After two hundred years of thralldom by the Britisher’s, it was
of utmost necessity to get our own constitution drafted. As it would have been
highly inappropriate to abide by the rules and regulations set by the Britisher’s,
as in that sense we would haven’t been self regulated in all forms because
technically we would have had the british reign supreme over our heads which
would have been against the self-respect of the common Indian men who strived
for their plenary freedom and the Indian government then and now.
We got our constitution drafted & passed on 26th
November 1949 and its full fledged promulgation from 26th January
1950. Amidst, the country’s Independence day and the Republic Day ,
its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act
1935, and the country was a Dominion, with George VI as head
of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General. On 28 August 1947, the
Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman.
A draft constitution was prepared by the
committee and submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947. After many
deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed
two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24
January 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of all
the Indian lands.
Though, it has been six decades(62 years) but
still the zeal and fervor among the people has not gone into the pots, the very
day is celebrated with all the gusto and gaga and thousands throng to see the
festivities following the day in the national capital and others stick to their
television sets and radios.
Every year a grand Parade is held in the
national capital New Delhi from the Raisina Hills near the Rashtrapati Bhavan
along the Rajpath past the India Gate en route Rajghat. Prior to its
commencement, the President lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti and
then moves to the main dias at the Rajpath where she accompany other
dignitaries, unfurls the National Flag and then National Anthem is played. Awards
like Ashok and Kirti Chakras are conferred on to people and children who have
shown exceptional courage and bravery.
Then, the President takes the salute of all the three wings of
defence as she is commander-in –chief, while they march past in all their
finery decorations which is followed by moving exhibitions and displays of
different states which reflect their state cultures through music and dance. Among
the dignitaries, India has been hosting the head of another country as the
state guest of honour since 1950, for the coming Republic Day Yingluck
Shinawatra the Prime Minister of Thailand is the state guest of honour.
The parade ends with a flypast by Indian Air Force
jets displaying tri colours of Indian National Flag in the sky. The parade
heralds the development of India from a captive mainland to the super power
which it is going to be within few years.
The festivities don’t end on the day itself but
continue for three days ahead. The third day has the Beating Retreat ceremony
in which the three services march in unison with the bands playing the popular
marching tunes. They march in quick time and slow time forward forming a
complex but beautiful pattern, these move to the Raisina Hills up to the
President’s seat where the last tunes of marching are played, many foreign
tunes have been phased out to make way for the Indian tunes like Sare Jahan Se
Accha. Then the National Flag is lowered followed by the calling of Retreat by
the buglers and the band master takes permission and requests the President
that the ceremony has been complete. Then there are illumination of lights and
the troops arrive riding their horses maintaining their specific positions in
the troop and final salute is given to the President. Thus, the celebrations
finally culminate in.
Tickets for the Republic Day Parade
usually go on sale mid January (around the 10th), and you can get them at
various outlets round Delhi. These include government departmental sales
counters, and Government of India Tourist Office, 88, Janpath. VIP seats
usually sell out pretty quickly so you need to book them fast.
Acoording, to the Historian Granville
Austin, he described the Indian Constitution as 'first and
foremost a social document.' ... "The majority of India's constitutional
provisions are either directly arrived at furthering the aim of social
revolution or attempt to foster this revolution by establishing conditions
necessary for its achievement". Thus, the Republic Day commemorates the
proclamation of such a great Constitution and dexterity of the Indian
Government through these years which has bound the largest democracy of the
world together and is heading towards en route the developing phases to be one
of the Super Powers of the World while paying heed to the social welfare and
growth of the denizens of India. On, putting my two cents in, just want to give
kudos to the Indian Government, despite of certain vices they have been able to
administer an equitable progress in all spheres, thus saluting it on my and my
readers behalf .. “JAI HIND “ ..
