In India, Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950.
The date of 26 January was chosen to honor the declaration of independence of 1947. It is one of the three national holidays in India. While the main parade takes place in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India (currently Pranab Mukherjee), the anniversary is also celebrated with varying degrees of formality in state capitals and other centers.
History:
India achieved independence from British rule on 15 August 1947 following the Indian independence movement noted for largely peaceful nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress. The independence came through the Indian Independence Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo 6 c. 30), an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent Dominions of the British Commonwealth (later Commonwealth of Nations): India and Pakistan. India obtained its independence on 15 August 1947 as a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and the Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. The country, though, did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935. On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr.B. R. Ambedkar as chairman. While India's Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution.
A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to
the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to
public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18
days before adopting the Constitution. 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, it came into effect throughout the nation.
Celebrations:
The main celebration is held in the capital New Delhi. Celebrations are
also held in state capitals, where the Governor of the state unfurls the
national flag. If the Governor of the state is unwell, or is
unavailable for some reason, the Chief Minister of the state assumes the honor of unfurling the National Flag of India.
Delhi Republic Day parade
The grand parade on Rajpath in New Delhi on the 26th of January is the main event of the celebration of India's Republic Day
which is a three-day celebration, culminating in the beating retreat
ceremony on the evening of the 29th January. The parade showcases
India's military might and cultural diversity.
To mark the importance of the occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate. Prior to its commencement, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to unknown soldiers at the India Gate
at one end of Rajpath, which is followed by two minutes silence in the
memory of unknown soldiers. It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of
the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the
succeeding wars for the defence of sovereignty of their country.
Thereafter he/she reaches the main dais at Rajpath to join other
dignitaries, subsequently the President arrives along with the chief
guest of the occasion. They are escorted on horseback by the President's Bodyguard.
First, the president unfurls the National flag, as the National Anthem is played, and a 21-gun salute is given. Next, important awards like the Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra
are given away by the President, before the regiments of Armed Forces
start their march past. The President comes forward to award the medals
of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional
courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished
themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.
Children who receive the National Bravery Award ride past the spectators on colourfully decorated elephants.
Nine to twelve different regiments of the Indian Army in addition to the
Navy, and Air Force with their bands march past in all their finery and
official decorations. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces,
takes the salute. Twelve contingents of various para-military forces of
India and other civil forces also take part in this parade. One of the unique sights of the parade is the camel mounted Border Security Force contingent, which is the only camel mounted military force in the world. The crème of N.C.C.
cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to
participate in this event, as do the school children from various
schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and
no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from
their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.
22 to 30 floats exhibiting the cultures of the various states and union
territories of India, including floats of union ministries are in the
grand parade, which is broadcast nationwide on television and radio.
These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those
states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each
display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the
culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. Around 1200 schoolchildren present cultural dances as part of the parade.
The parade traditionally ends with dare devil motor cycle riding and a flypast by the Indian Air Force jets and helicopters carrying the national flag and the flags of the three services.
Comprising over 25 marching and mounted contingents, various military
vehicles, 20 military bands, 30 cultural tableaux and 30 aircraft in
addition to cultural performers and 1200 schoolchildren, India's
Republic Day Parade in New Delhi is the most spectacular regular parade
in the world.
Every part of the country is represented in the parade, which makes the Republic Day parade very popular.
Beating Retreat
The Beating Retreat
ceremony officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities. It is
conducted on the evening of 29 January, the third day after the Republic
Day. It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military,
the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The venue is Raisina Hills and an adjacent square, Vijay Chowk, flanked by the north and south block of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace) towards the end of Rajpath.
The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India
who arrives escorted by the 'President's Bodyguards' (PBG), a cavalry
unit. When the President arrives, the PBG commander asks the unit to
give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian
National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Massed Bands, and at the same time by the unfurling of the Flag of India
on the flagpole. The ceremony was started in the early 1950s when Major
Roberts of the Indian Army developed the ceremony of display by the
massed bands in which Military Bands, Pipes and Drums Bands, Buglers and
Trumpeters from various Army Regiments besides bands Navy and Air Force
take part which play popular tunes like Abide With Me, Mahatma Gandhi's favourite Hymn, and Saare Jahan Se Achcha at the end.
Chief guest
Since 1950, India has been hosting head of state or government of
another country as the state guest of honour for Republic Day
celebrations in New Delhi. During 1950–1954, Republic Day celebrations
were organised at different venues (like Irwin Stadium (National Stadium), Kingsway (Rajpath), Red Fort and Ramlila grounds).
It was only starting 1955 when the parade in its present form was
organised at Rajpath. The guest country is chosen after a deliberation
of strategic, economic and political interests. During 1950s–1970s, a
number of NAM and Eastern Bloc countries were hosted by India. In the post-Cold War
era, India has also invited several Western leaders on a state visit
during the Republic Day. It is notable that before India fought wars
with China and Pakistan, leaders from these countries were invited as
state guests for the Republic Day celebrations. Interestingly, Pakistan
Food and Agriculture Minister was the second state guest from that
country for Republic Day in 1965, a few days after which the two
countries went to a war. Countries which have been invited multiple
times include India's neighbours (Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius),
defence allies (Russia/USSR, France and Britain), trade partners
(Brazil) and NAM allies (Nigeria, Indonesia and erstwhile Yugoslavia).
France and Bhutan have the distinction of being the guest of honour for
the maximum (four) number of times followed by three visits each from
Mauritius and USSR/Russia.
Chief Guest for 64th Republic Day Celebrations: King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Chief Guest for 64th Republic Day Celebrations: King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Rashtrapati Bhavan and adjacent buildings, illuminated for the Republic Day
Courtesy: Wikipedia and http://knowindia.gov.in/republicday/history.php
Categories:
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