Why celebrate Republic Day: Republic Day is observed every year on 26th January. It marks the implementation of the Constitution in the country. 26th January was chosen as Republic Day because on this day in 1929, Purna Swaraj was declared.
Every year on 26 January, the country commemorates Republic Day. The country commemorated the inaugural Republic Day on this day in 1950. That year it was a day of exceptionally chilly weather. After several consecutive days of fog, the sun shined on the morning of 26 January 1950. This brightness was narrating the tale of the emergence of India as a republic. On that day, India became a really sovereign nation, entirely free from the constraints of colonialism and three years after obtaining independence.
Why celebrate Republic Day: Behind Story Republic day
On the same day, i.e. 26 January 1950, the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, commenced his tenure. As soon as the day started that day, folks in Delhi got out Prabhat Pheri, played drums and conches, and patriotic songs were sung. Similar ceremonies were conducted around the country. Since then, every year on 26 January, the country has been commemorating Republic Day and has been engulfed in similar activities.
Difference between Independence Day and Why celebrate Republic Day
Independence Day is commemorated on 15 August. It is observed to commemorate the independence of the country from the British control, whereas Republic Day is celebrated every year on 26 January. It marks the implementation of the Constitution in the country. 26 January was chosen as Republic Day because on this day in the year 1929, the Indian National Congress had declared total independence, resisting the domination of British authority.
The story of India becoming a republic: Why celebrate Republic Day
When the country got independence on 15 August 1947, a committee was created on 29 August 1947 to prepare a permanent constitution for independent India. It is known as the Drafting Committee or Draft Committee. Dr. BR Ambedkar was designated the head of that committee.
By 4 November 1947, that committee had produced the text of the Constitution and presented it to the Constituent Assembly. The Assembly had deliberations on it in various sessions for approximately two years before eventually adopting the Constitution.
24 January is a notable day in establishing a republic:
On 24 January 1950, the last stone was placed for the foundation of the country becoming a republic. On that day, the Constituent Assembly that created the Constitution convened for the last time. 308 members of that assembly signed its Constitution. These signatures were the final seal on the Constitution. On that day, three copies of the Constitution were signed. One copy was printed in English, while the other two copies were handwritten. One of these was written in Hindi and the other in English. These handwritten copies are dubbed the original copy of the Constitution.
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On this day, the country’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected unanimously. When the Returning Officer of the elections notified the contestants, it was revealed that Rajendra Prasad was the lone contender. In this way he was elected unchallenged. The third significant effort was also done on the same day, that was to obtain an agreement on the national anthem and national song.
Tradition of Republic Day: Why celebrate Republic Day
From 1950 and 1954, the Republic Day procession was staged at Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium), Kingsway, Red Fort and Ramlila Maidan. Since 1955, the Republic Day ceremonies have been place on Rajpath. Now it has been renamed as Kartavya Path.
Every year a leader of a certain nation is invited as the principal guest for the Republic Day parade. Indonesian President Sukarno was the first principal guest to attend India’s Republic Day festivities in 1950. This year in 2023, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the prominent guest on India’s 74th Republic Day.
What occurs in Republic Day celebrations:
The procession commences with the arrival of the President of India. The President’s horse-mounted bodyguard salutes the national flag first, following which the national song is performed. This is followed by a 21-gun salute. This salute is made by seven guns of the Indian Army, known as ’25-pounders’. Three rounds are fired from each cannon.
Every member of the army participating in the march needs to go through four stages of checking. Even their guns are scrutinized meticulously to ensure they are not carrying live cartridges.