India's 75th Republic Day: The Tale of the Transition of India into a Republic & a Super-Power!

जिनके पैर समुद्र द्वारा धोए जाते हैं और जो हिमालय से सुशोभित हैं, वह, जो कई ब्रह्मऋषियों और राजऋषियों से भरा है,

ऐसी मेरी भारत माता को अभिवन्दन।

We all know Indian Republic Day falls on the 26th of every year, commemorating India's transformation from a British dominion into a sovereign democratic republic. Mahatma Gandhi laid the foundation for Purna Swaraj on January 26th, 1930. This very moment set the stage for the bright future of our country, glowing with the principles of democracy and sovereignty.

After two decades, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar led the constituent assembly of India, drafting the world's inspiration, the greatest Indian Constitution. To align with the historic milestone of Purna Swaraj, the adoption of the Indian Constitution was chosen on January 26th, 1950. Indian Republic Day is not just a pompous event; it is the bond between the 140 crore Indians and the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

What makes the Indian Constitution the most unique and distinguishable: Facts

In the words of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, "Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of the age."

a. It is the longest-written Constitution in the world, consisting of approximately 117,369 words, 448 articles, 12 schedules, and 103 amendments.

b. It is the federal document that assigns and divides the power to three different branches of the government- the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.

c. Based on the requirements and needs of the country, the Constitution has been amended several times. The recent one is the reorganization of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in 2020.

d. Our Constitution recognizes 22 official Indian languages, the highest in the world.

e. Fundamental rights to all citizens- the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to equality before the law, and the right to life and personal liberty are granted by the Constitution to all Indian citizens.

f. The Constitution is not printed or typed- it was handwritten and calligraphed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada and published in Dehradun.

g. The proposal of a written Constitution was given by M.N. Roy in 1934, and the National Congress supported it in 1935.

h. Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose, artists of Shantiniketan, decorated each page of the Constitution.

i. It took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to complete the final draft, and the original is preserved in special helium-filled cases in the Parliament of India library.

j. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, was the first person to sign the Constitution of India.

As always, the Indian Republic Day parade on the 75th Republic Day of India will commence at 10:30 AM on January 26th, with the procession taking the route of Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Marg. The theme of the 2024 parade is 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka.' The theme once again emphasizes that India is the most loyal nurturer of democracy. 25 tableaux, with 16 from various states and union territories and 9 from central government departments, are the highlights of this event.

The pre-parade events include

The beginning,

Republic Day speech,

Wreath-laying at the Amar Jawan Jyothi, and

The unfurling of the national flag.

The parade includes

Marching contingents, Motorcycle stunts, a Tableaux show, dance troops, and a flypast.

The post-parade events include

Bestowing of Padma and Gallantry awards,

Beating retreat ceremony and

Conclusion

With a seating capacity 77,000, 42,000 seats are reserved for the general public. The parades of the Indian army, navy, air force, police, and paramilitary groups are a feast to the eyes, and every inch of India resonates with utmost patriotism to the country and gratitude to all the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Not just the display of the valiant forces, but the Indian Republic Day also features the display of the cultural heritage of each state, depicting their traditions and achievements. Cultural dances and music performances liven the spirit of the exemplary celebration.

What makes the Indian Republic Day celebration the most unique and distinguishable: Facts

a. After the first president of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, unfurled the national flag on January 26th, 1950, the Republic Day was declared a national holiday for the first time.

b. Indonesian President Sukarno was the first chief guest of our first Republic Day celebrations.

c. The preparation for Republic Day begins a year before in July, and the participants practice for almost 600 hours.

d. A president, prime minister, or ruler from another country or nation is invited as the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations every year.

e. The arms and weaponry of each personnel participating in the celebration undergo stringent checks and multiple levels of investigations to avoid mishaps.

The top attractions and specials of Indian Republic Day 2024:

Flypast

There is an inclusion of a French refuel aircraft and two French Rafale aircraft in the 51 planes of the IAF, including avant-garde vehicles like terrain vehicles, special mobility vehicles, and light specialist vehicles. 15 women aviators are on the team of pilots.

The saree extravaganza

The culture ministry is all set to showcase the exclusive saree selection of India from various states and union territories. 'Anant Sutra - The Endless Thread' installation will be displayed at the Kartavya Path with 1900 drapes and sarees across India.

Six Indian soldiers to join the French military team

Emmanuel Macron, president of France, is the event's chief guest, and the French marching contingent commander has announced the participation of six Indian captains in the French military team that is all set to march with the Indian contingents.

All-Women Tri-Services Group

For the first time, an all-women group, comprising the troops from the army's military police and two other services, will partake in the parade along with Param Vir Chakra awardees, Hony Captain Yogendra Yadav and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar.

AI and Chandrayan to be highlighted

The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the moon and a tableau on the role of AI in various sectors will be highlighted in front of 13,000 special guests. Vibrant Villages are also included with special emphasis on the guest list.

Do you know that a beating retreat ceremony is conducted every year on January 29th to mark the formal conclusion of the 26th January Indian Republic Day celebrations? We're excited for the spectacular event. Are you, too?