Essay On Republic Day

Republic Day in India is celebrated on the January 26 of each year. This day remains the National Holiday. India got its Independence from British rule in 1947, and two years later, i.e., in 1949, the Indian Constitution was accepted, and it came into force a year later. The Government of India Act of 1935 was replaced with the newly formed Constitution, which established the country's self-governing law and changed India into a newly formed republican state.

The day also commemorates the change in the status of India from an independent Commonwealth country with the British Monarch as the titular head of the Indian Dominion to a wholly sovereign republic with the President of India as the nominal head of the Indian Union.

The Indian Constituent assembly accepted the Indian Constitution on 26 November, 1949, and it became functional on January 26, 1950, which is why January 26 is celebrated as Republic Day. With this, the nation's transition to democracy and formation as a sovereign republic was complete. The Indian National Congress issued the Purna Swaraj declaration of Indian Independence on this day in 1930, in place of the Realm's status as a Dominion established after leaving British rule. Because of this, January 26 was selected as Republic Day.

History

While India celebrates its Independence from British rule on Independence Day, it celebrates the implementation of its Constitution on Republic Day. On August 15, 1947, India declared Independence from the British Raj due to the Indian Independence Movement. India became a constitutional monarchy where George VI became head of state and Lord Mountbatten was the governor-general. However, there was no permanent constitution at the time; the country's legal system was based on a modified version of the 1935 colonial Government of India Act. A resolution was proposed on August 29, 1947, to establish the Drafting Committee, with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as chairman, with the task of drafting a permanent constitution.

The committee created a draught constitution, delivered to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1947. Before adopting the Constitution, the Assembly held meetings. All the meetings were completed in the span of almost three years. A total of eleven sessions in 165 days were held. After extensive discussion and some revisions, the 284 Assembly members signed two handwritten copies (English and Hindi) of the agreement on January 24, 1950.

On January 26, 1950, two days later, it started to apply to everyone. Dr. Rajendra Prasad officially began serving as the Indian Union's President that day. Under the transitional provisions of the new Constitution, the Constituent Assembly was transformed into the Indian Parliament. The President addresses the public the evening before Republic Day.

The main Republic Day celebrations take place in front of the Indian President on the Rajpath in the nation's capital, New Delhi. The Rajpath is the site of ceremonial marches on this day to honor India, its diversity and togetherness, and its tremendously rich cultural heritage.

Delhi Republic Day

The Ministry of Defense organizes the Delhi Republic Day parade, which takes place in the nation's capital, New Delhi. The main event of India's three-day Republic Day celebrations starts at the gates of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President's residence. It continues past the India Gate to Raisina Hill on Rajpath.

The parade displays India's cultural, social, and military prowess. Along with the Navy and Air Force, nine to twelve different Indian Army regiments march past in full regalia and official decorations. Twelve contingents from various paramilitary organizations in India and police units participate in this parade. The salute is accepted by the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, the President of India.

Beating Retreat

Beating a retreat is a ceremony celebrated on January 29, i.e., the third day after Republic Day.

This Republic Day ceremony takes place every year on January 26 at Rajpath in New Delhi. On Republic Day, it is also traditional to invite a distinguished foreign guest; occasionally, more than one foreigner is also invited in accordance with this tradition. On this day, the flag is hoisted by the President of India first, after which everyone present stands and unites in singing the national anthem.

Other cultural and traditional tableaux are then displayed, and these are really interesting to see. The parade is the other notable event of the day, and everyone is excited to see it. Before the parade begins, the prime minister honours the Amar Jawan Jyoti on Rajpath.

Through this move, India also demonstrates its diplomatic and strategic might, demonstrating to the rest of the world that we are capable of defending ourselves. Numerous notable individuals received invitations to the 2018 Republic Day celebrations. Attendance at this meeting is open to all ASEAN leaders. The Republic Day celebration programme is essential to India's foreign policy since it offers an opportunity to deepen connections with the dignitaries of the several countries that have been invited to participate.

The President of India is the function's chief guest and is escorted by a cavalry unit known as the President's Bodyguard (PBG). He is the one who orders the unit to salute on the arrival of the President after which National Anthem is played by Indian Forces on his command.

The army prepares an exhibition ceremony where members from all the regiments participate and represent a band playing various musical instruments. This military band formed by members from all the regiments plays songs like Abide With Me and Mahatma Gandhi's favorite patriotic song Saare Jahaan Se Achha, at the conclusion.

Award Distribution

The Indian President presents Padma Awards to Indian citizens on the eve of Republic Day.

Padma Awards are the second highest civilian award after Bharat Ratna. Padma Vibhusan, Padma Bhusan, and Padma Shri are the three categories of the Padma Bhusan Award.

Padma Vibhusan: Second highest civilian award given for exceptional and distinguished service.

Padma Bhusan: Third highest civilian award given for their distinguished service of a high order.

Padma Shri: This is the fourth highest civilian award given to any citizen of India for their distinguished service.

The Padma awards are national honors but do not come with financial perks, advantages, or special rail or air travel privileges. There is no such title or anything special that you need to do to get awarded by Bharat Ratna or Padma Bhusan. A special committee nominates people.

Anyone honored with this national award is prohibited from using them with their name. The Supreme Court of India has started this thing. If any misuse of the award is found, the person will be warned, or in some cases, they may lose the title.

The award consists of a medallion and a certificate bearing the President's signature. The recipients also receive a replica of the medallion, which they are free to wear during any formal occasions like state functions or ceremonies. A commemorative brochure is also made public on the day of the investiture ceremony, providing brief information about each award recipient.

Trivia

A number of relevant and interesting facts regarding Indian Republic Day are covered in the discussion that follows.

1. One of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite songs, the Christian ballad "Abide with Me," is performed during the Republic Day procession.
2. Indonesia's President Sukarno attended India's first Republic Day celebrations as an honorable guest of honour.
3. In 1955, Rajpath hosted the inaugural Republic Day celebrations.
4. A 31-gun salute is fired in honour of the Indian president during the celebrations on Indian Republic Day.