Republic Day: History, Importance, Celebration

Introduction: Republic day is an important landmark in Indian history. On January 26th each year, Indians celebrate the Constitution of India coming into force in 1950.

On this day, our Indian constitution became a reality and thus, the date “26th January” got etched in history for eternity.

Needless to say, every year Republic day is celebrated with great pomp, enthusiasm and glory. Important governmental laws and acts were laid down on this day and hence it also marks as a day of pride for every Indian, old and young alike.

From school children to senior citizens everyone unfurls the National tricolour on this day, to pay their humble respect to their motherland.

The day when Indian constitution came in to force is celebrated as Republic day in India. Also, it is now celebrated as a national holiday in India as Republic day.

Facts about Republic Day

Scrolling down you would discover some interesting facts about this Day!

The Grand Parade: On Republic Day, a grand parade is organized at Rajpath in New Delhi. This parade mainly represents the diverse cultural heritage of our country and also the competency of Indian military. The grand parade is also a way of paying tribute to our freedom fighters. One of the main highlights of this parade is the giving away of awards like Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Vir Chakra to the winners. Children who are the winners of Bravery Awards also ride on colourful decorated elephants during this parade on Republic Day.

Placing Wreaths at Amar Jawan Jyoti: Our honourable Prime Minister, accompanied by Heads of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, places wreaths and pays tribute to all soldiers who sacrificed their lives for freedom, at Amar Jawan Jyoti.

‘The 21 gun salute’: The 21 gun salute’ is the firing of the 21 canons and rifles to honour the navy and military of our country, on the auspicious occasion of Republic day.

Beating Retreat ceremony: The Republic Day celebrations continue for four days that is, from 26^th Jan to 29^th Jan. On the final day, the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony is organized at the Vijay Chowk. It involves many activities like arriving of president of India, unfurling of our national flag, singing of national anthem and playing of different tunes by military bands.

Inviting a chief guest: Each year, the Republic Day celebrations involve the president of India and an official chief guest that is, the head of state of any foreign country. Countries like France and Bhutan had the greatest privilege of providing the chief guest for Indian Republic Day for four times. The very first chief guest at the Republic Day Celebration of India in 1950 was the, then Indonesian President Sukarno.

Republic day History

India even though independent from 1947, did not have a constitution. Even independent India was seen following the Government of India Act 1935, which were laid down by the British. King George VI led India before the formation of its constitution.

Post Indian independence, the need of an independent constitution became evident and a drafting committee came into existence, which was headed by Mr. B. R Ambedkar. The initial draft was submitted in November 1947 and was then finalized in 1950, only after 308 members of the Assembly made amendments to the draft. The draft was handwritten. After the finalized draft was passed, the very first election took place to elect the first president of India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath of being the first president of India. Thousands of people witnessed this wonderful and memorable event. These historic moments will stay etched in Indian history forever!

Importance of this day

Republic Day is an extremely important day for our country for various reasons. Some of the main reasons that would help highlight the significance of this day are elaborated as under:

Emergence of the Largest Democratic Nation: On this day, India emerged as the largest democratic Nation, along with the longest written constitution. The citizens of India officially gained the power to live independently and help govern their own country. When the beginning is good, the journey progresses smoothly and without any turbulence.
Indian Constitution came into existence: Republic Day is when the constitution and governmental existence came into being. Indian government thus became a distinct entity and came out of the shadow of the British government.
First President: Honorable Dr. Rajendra Prasad took the historic oath to be the very first president of independent India on this very day. This ceremony was history personified.
Self-guided: Until the Republic day, India was still running under the laws set by the British government. So technically, an independent India was not self-guided until the actual Republic Day.

Celebrations

Reasons to celebrate republic day

Celebrate freedom from British written laws: Republic Day is the day when our country officially adopted its own constitution. We put forth our own set of citizen-friendly laws from Republic Day. Republic Day signifies the transition from a “dependant” nation to an “independent” one in terms of governmental laws, acts and policies.
Honour the people who made an independent India possible: Countless lives were sacrificed so that we can hold our heads high in our own motherland. Republic Day made sure that the sacrificed lives were not spent in vain. Hence, this day should be celebrated by every Indian citizen as a sign of respect to the historic freedom fighters.
To show our patriotism towards our country: Every citizen of India is expected to be patriotic and pay importance and respect to its history. Being patriotic is synonymous to celebrating the important milestones of the country and Republic day is one such event.

How do we celebrate this day every year?

Apart from the gala capital celebrations, similar functions at smaller scales also take place in all state capitals of the country. The state Governor unfurls the Tricolour in those celebrations. It also gives a wonderful feeling to visit schools and colleges on this day. Republic Day is celebrated with absolute excitement at these places. Children perform aerobics, parade and many different types of cultural activities too. Sweets are distributed at schools. All government buildings are decorated with lights. The Drummer’s Call or the solo drummer’s performance also takes place. ‘Abide With Me’ is played by the military band without fail every year. Finally, on 29^th January, the last day of celebration of Republic Day, our national flag or Tiranga is lowered along with our national anthem that is sung with complete emotions.

Chief Guests present in the Republic Day celebration of– 2015, 2016, 2017

2015 - US President Barack Obama attended the 2015 Republic Day parade in Delhi. He was the first US head of state who came as a chief guest on the Indian Republic Day celebration.
2016 - The year 2016 saw the French President François Hollande as the chief guest of honour in the Republic Day parade.
2017 – Recently, in the present year of 2017, crown prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. He was the very first leader from the United Arab Emirates to be part of the Indian Republic Day celebrations.

Republic Day wishes

Let us take this opportunity to salute the real heroes of our country from the past as well as present, who sacrificed their lives for our independently functioning Constitution. Happy Republic day 2017.
Heartfelt tribute should be paid to our great martyrs! Salute to all the freedom fighters. Happy Republic Day.
Let us pledge to uphold the features of our constitution: Justice, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality. Happy Republic Day. Be proud to be an Indian.
Let us all come together to celebrate the freedom of our country and the birth of our very own constitution on this day. Wish you all a very Happy Republic Day.
Recall the sacrifices and rejoice their victory! Freedom of our motherland and its autonomous functioning came after a lot of bloodshed and hardships. Thus, it should be the responsibility of us citizens to preserve its glory forever! Happy Republic Day.

Conclusion

Every Indian citizen should realize the inherent importance of Republic day. We as citizens of a free country should feel proud to be an Indian and pay respect to all those who helped our country get stronger, and better! Special remembrance should be paid to all the freedom fighters and soldiers, who made and are making unbeatable sacrifices for all of us to breathe ‘free’. Republic Day celebrations should not be imposed on people. Patriotism apart, paying respect to the country is a sign of a responsible citizen.

So let us pledge to uphold our country’s honour at all times and respect its past, work on its present and hope for a bright and progressive future.

Note: This article has been contributed by several contributors. In case you find any mistake/error, please help us correct it.

Also read about Indian Republic day in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Day_(India)