Republic Day is an occasion for us to celebrate with the hoisting of our national flag, recitation of our national anthem, singing patriotic songs and organising social and cultural events. On this day, we should also remember the sacrifices made by our various freedom fighters who fought bravely for the country’s independence and pay due respect to them. We celebrate our nation’s 68th Republic Day on January 26, 2017 and it was on this day in the year 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect and our country was proclaimed as a Sovereign, Democratic Republic. The Constitution is the supreme document which governs our great country. Republic Day represents the true spirit of Independent India and marks the patriotic fervor of all Indians across the nation who keeps celebrating this event with great enthusiasm every year. The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
India was a slave under the British rule for a very long time during which the Indians were forced to follow the laws made by the latter. After long years of struggle by the various Indian freedom fighters, India finally became independent on August 15, 1947. Two and half years later, the Indian Government implemented its own Constitution and declared India as a Democratic Republic. Around two years, eleven months and eighteen days was taken by the Constituent Assembly of India to pass the new Constitution which was done on the 26th of January in 1950. After getting declared as a Sovereign, Democratic Republic, the people of India started celebrating January 26 as Republic Day.
Celebrating Republic Day every year is a great honour for Indian citizens as well as for those who have settled abroad. It is the day of great importance and celebrated by the people with great joy and enthusiasm. They wait for this day eagerly to become part of its celebration again and again. Preparation work for the Republic Day celebrations at the Rajpath in New Delhi starts a month in advance and way to India Gate becomes very close for the common man. Security arrangements are made a month in advance to avoid any type of untoward incidents during the celebrations. A big celebration arrangement in the national capital, New Delhi and State capitals also takes place all over India. The celebration starts with the unfurling of the National Flag by the President of India and singing of the National Anthem. Following this, the Indian army parade, state wise Jhankis, march-past and awards distribution ceremony takes place. During the entire day, the whole environment is filled with the singing of the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and other patriotic songs.
Students of schools and colleges are also very keen to celebrate this event and start preparing for this event a month in advance. Students performing well in the academic, sports or other fields of education are honoured with awards, prizes and certificates on this day. Republic Day is one of the three national holidays in India. On this day, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti as a mark of respect to the martyrs who fought bravely for the country’s Independence. This year, Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi has been invited to be the chief guest in the Republic Day parade. The three national holidays in India are — Republic Day on January 26th, Independence Day on August 15th and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
