Republic Day

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 26^th November 1949 and its full fledged promulgation from 26^th 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 “ ..