26 January: Republic Day of India

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From: Nisarg Gandhi

 Significance of Republic Day
• The Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the
Constitution of India came into force.
• Prior to this, the seeds of a republican nation were sowed by Pt.
Jawaharlal Nehru in the Lahore session at the Indian National
Congress at the midnight of 31st December, 1929 - 1st January,
1930.
• The date  was chosen to honor the memory of the declaration of
independence of 1930. 
• It is one of the three secular national holidays in India.
• At the time of independence, although India was under British rule,
there were 565 Princely States, protected by treaties of alliance with
the British Crown. Without bringing them together, the fundamental
unity of the country was not possible.
• This unification was accomplished by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,
whose statesmanship helped to integrate the country into one
nation.
 History of Republic Day
• Even though India got its independence on 15
August 1947, it did not have a permanent
constitution; instead, its laws were based on the
modified colonial Government of India Act 1935.
• The country was a Dominion, with George VI as
head of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor
General. 
• On August 29 1947, the Drafting Committee was
appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with
Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman. 
• The Assembly met, in sessions open to public. 
• Unlike Independence Day, Republic Day
celebrates the constitution.
 Special Features of the Indian
Constitution
• It is the longest written constitution in the world.
• The Irish Constitution is the closest to Indian
constitution in content and philosophy.
• Translated into many languages, but original English
version considered the most authoritative.
• The pages of the original copies are decorated with
symbols from Hindu scriptures and traditions.
• Has been amended 94 times.
• Defines India as a Unitary, Sovereign, Democratic,
Socialist, Secular Republic.
 Chief Guests of Republic Day
• Since 1950, India has been hosting head of state or
government of another country as the state guest of
honor for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
• It is notable that before India fought bloody wars
with China and Pakistan, leaders from these
countries were invited as state guests for the
Republic Day celebrations.
• France has the distinction of being the guest of
honor for the maximum (four) number of times
followed by three visits each from Bhutan, Mauritius
and USSR/Russia.
• This year, the chief guest is the Indonesian
President.
 Celebrations
• To mark the importance of this occasion, every
year a grand parade is held in the capital, New
Delhi.
• Before it starts, 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 of
silence in the memory of unknown soldiers.
• First he unfurls the National flag, as the National
Anthem is played, and a 21-gun salute is given.
This is three planes flying overhead, with
colored smoke, as a tribute to the Republic
Day.
Indian Anthem – A National Prayer to God
Jana gaṇa mana adhināyaka jaya
he
Bhārata bhāgya vidhātā
Pañjāba Sindh Gujarāta Marāṭhā
Drāviḍa Utkala Baṅga
Vindhya Himācala Yamunā
Gaṅgā
Ucchala jaladhi taraṅga
Tava śubha nāme jāge, tava
śubha āśiṣa māge
Gāhe tava jaya gāthā
Jana gaṇa maṅgala dāyaka jaya
he
Bhārata bhāgya vidhāta
Jaya he jaya he jaya he
Jaya jaya jaya jaya he!
You are the ruler of the minds of all
people
Dispenser of India’s destiny
Your name rouses the hearts of Punjab,
Sind, Gujarat, Maharashtra
Of the Tamil Nadu and Orissa and
Bengal
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and
Himalayas, mingles in the music of the
Ganga and Yamuna
Is chanted by the waves of the Indian
Sea
They pray for Your blessings
They sing Your praise
The saving of all people waits in Your
hand
You are the dispenser of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory
Victory, Victory, Victory to You