Republic Day
Republic Day is India's great
national festival. It is celebrated every year on January 26, in New Delhi with
great pomp and pageant and in capitals of the States, as well as at other
headquarters and important places with patriotic fervour.
A little background
It
was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December
31, 1929 - January 1, 1930, that the Tri-Colour Flag was unfurled by the
nationalists and a pledge taken that every year on January 26, the "Independence
Day" would be celebrated and that the people would unceasingly strive for the
establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic of India. The professed pledge
was successfully redeemed on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India
framed by the Constituent Assembly of India came into force, although the
Independence from the British rule was achieved on August 15, 1947.
It is because of this that August 15 is celebrated as Independence Day,
while January 26 as Republic Day.
The most spectacular celebrations include the march past of the three armed
Forces, massive parades, folk dances by tribal folk from the different states in
picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India. Further, the streak of
jet planes of Indian Air Force, leaving a trial of coloured smoke, marks the end
of the festival. The trees on both sides of the routes and the lawns become
alive with spectators.
The President of India at New Delhi, on this most colourful day, takes
salute of the contingents of Armed Forces. In the States, the Governors take the
salute, and in Taluqas and administrative headquarters on same procedure is
adopted. At Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, three days later (i.e. 29th January) the
massed bands of the Armed Forces "Beat the Retreat" in a majestic manner.
The Republic Day celebrations have rightly become world famous as one of the
greatest shows on earth drawing thousands of eager sight-seers from all over the
country and many parts of the world. No other country can draw on such a wealth
of tribal traditions and cultures, so many regional forms of dances and dress.
And, no other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different
people in splendid uniforms as India's Armed Forces. But they are all united in
their proven loyalty to the Government elected by the people and in their proud
traditions and legendary gallantry.