Republic Day 2024

Republic Day is the day which the whole nation celebrates together with great enthusiasm. January 26 is the Republic Day for the people of India. It is an important day, so it is celebrated every year since January 26, 1950. British rule had been prevalent in our motherland India for a long time, and the people of India have performed slavery for many years, due to which the people of India had to follow the British's laws. After a long struggle, Indian freedom fighters finally got to India free on August 15, 1947. Almost two and a half years after independence, i.e., on January 26, 1950, India established its Constitution, and India called itself a democratic republic. The Indian Constitution got passed by our Parliament on January 26, 1950, after about two years, eleven months, and eighteen days. India called itself a sovereign, democratic, Republic after which January 26 was celebrated as Republic Day by India's people. No one likes to be dependent. Even animals do not like slavery; we are still humans. Even if the bird is kept in a gold cage, it still wants to live in the open sky. It is to establish that freedom is most valuable. Merely getting free is not enough; maintaining and nurturing it is also not less challenging.

इस पेज को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए “गणतंत्र दिवस” पर क्लिक करें।

The Importance of Republic Day

Republic Day is our national festival, which is celebrated on January 26. On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act 1935. January 26 was opted to implement the Constitution because, on this day in 1930, the Indian National Congress announced Purna Swaraj at midnight during the Lahore session. Republic Day is considered to be a prestigious national holiday all over India. Apart from Republic Day as a holiday in the country, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti are also national holidays. According to the definition of democracy, it is "rule by the people, for the people, of the people." In today's time, it has become a fashion to be termed democratic. Some kind of euphoria is prevalent. We have got freedom after many difficulties. Through this, we can tell our upcoming generation about our glorious history. At the same time, we receive inspiration from the country's sons by witnessing them, and passion gets generated to do anything for the country.

The Meaning of Indian Republic Day 

Gana means people, and tantra means governance. Republic or democracy means the people's rule, the country, or a state where they choose their representative. Such a nation is labeled as a democratic republic. Such a system exists in our country. That is why our country is called a democratic republic. Republic means a country where the general public has the right to choose and remove the ruling government. Such a government is never autocratic because no one has power in their hands. The form of our government is parliamentary. A government is a group of few people who work on the prescribed procedure. It has three parts - the executive, the judiciary, and the administration.

The History of Indian Republic Day

The enormous history of Indian Republic Day is quite impressive; it started on January 26, 1950. Since the implementation of India's Constitution by dismantling the 'Government of India Act' in our country, the Republic Day program is observed every year on January 26 to honor the Constitution and Republic of India. But, there is another history associated with this day, and it started on January 26, 1930, as it was considered the historic day when Congress first demanded Purna Swaraj. It began when, in 1929, during the Congress session in Lahore under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's chairmanship, a resolution got passed that if by January 26, 1930, the English government did not grant 'Dominion status' to India, India would declare completely independent. After this, until January 26, 1930, the British government did not respond to Congress's demand. So from that day, Congress started its active movement for complete independence. When India got independent on August 15, 1947, the Government of India, keeping in mind the historical importance of January 26, chose this day to establish the Republic.

Why is Republic Day Celebrated?

The people have been given the right to choose the government in our country. Many countries in the world are democratic countries, but not all are republics. Both are the same thing. It seems the same, but there is a slight difference. Let's see what the difference is. Law is governed in the Republic. A republican country ensures that nobody's rights are denied, like minorities, etc. Having no power, it is not autocratic, so some powers are given to the President along with the prime minister. In this regime, everyone works together and supports each other. That is why in India, many times, the President refuses to sign the laws made by Parliament, but this is not the case in democratic countries. The rules made by Parliament are final and acceptable. It is now to be understood why India is called a republican government and the significance and features. You can also understand it in this way. There is democracy in all the world nations, but not all those countries fall in the Republic's parameters. Let's take the example of England. There is democracy in England, but it is not a republican country. The parliamentary system in our Constitution is derived from England itself. However, it is different from that.

The Constitution was prepared after about two and a half years.

After independence, a drafting committee was instructed to prepare a draft of India's permanent Constitution at a meeting on August 28, 1947. On November 4, 1947, India's draft of the Constitution was laid in the House under Dr. BR Ambedkar's chairmanship. After taking almost three years, it was completely ready. And finally, the wait was over on January 26, 1950, and it got implemented.

National Festival of India: Republic Day

Republic Day is not an ordinary day. It was the day when our India attained complete independence because even though India became independent on August 15, 1947, it became utterly independent when January 26, 1950. The newly constituted Constitution of India got enacted by removing the 'Government of India Act.' Therefore, from that day on January 26, this day is celebrated as Republic Day in India. It is one of India's three national festivals. The other two are Gandhi Jayanti and Independence Day, as Republic Day is a national holiday worldwide. In many places like schools and offices, programs are celebrated a day in advance.

Proposal for Purna swaraj

The day of January 26 was opted to establish the Constitution. It was done because, in 1929, Congress passed the resolution of Purna swaraj against the slavery of the British. In December 1929, a meeting of the Indian National Congress was held under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's chairmanship. It got announced that if the British government did not give India the post of Dominion by January 26, 1930, India would declare itself completely independent.

Constitution Day is also celebrated.

After India's independence, the Constituent Assembly was formed, which started its work on December 9, 1946. It took about two years, 11 months, 18 days to make the world's most extensive written Constitution. The Constitution of India was handed over to the President of the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on November 26, 1949. Hence, November 26 is celebrated every year as Constitution Day. The Constituent Assembly held a total of 114 days at the time of framing the Constitution, and the press and the public were also free to be a part of it. After several reforms and changes, 308 members of the assembly signed two handwritten copies of the Constitution on January 24, 1950. Two days later, on January 26, the Constitution came into force across the country.

A national festival full of pride

It is an honor to observe Republic Day for people living in India and Indians living abroad. This day holds particular importance, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people participating in many activities and organizing them. People eagerly wait for this day to become a part of it repeatedly. The preparations for the Republic Day celebrations start about a month before. During this time, people's movement is banned at India Gate due to security reasons so that any criminal incident gets prevented before happening. It also ensures the security of the people over there on that day.

National festival - a sign of unity in diversity

On this day in India, special arrangements are made for this festival in all the state capitals. It is also arranged in New Delhi. The program starts with the act of flag hoisting and the national anthem by the President. Each State presents Jhanki for their respective diversity. After this, parade, prize distribution, march past, etc., are performed by the three forces. And finally, the whole atmosphere reverberates with "Jana Gana Mana."

Republic Day Celebrations

The Republic Day celebrations in India are celebrated with pomp and show. On January 26, the President of India hoists the national flag, and the national anthem is sung. Although Republic Day is celebrated with great pomp in the entire country, its form is worth witnessing in Delhi. Every year on Republic Day, a grand parade is organized from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel also participate in this parade. During this parade, the heads of the three armies salute the President. Not only this, but three armies also display modern weapons on this day, which is a symbol of national power. Also, children from different schools in the country take part in this parade and present colorful programs. A unique aspect of the Republic Day celebrations is that in this ceremony, one chief guest from the whole world's countries is chosen who is present there during the entire program. Jhanki of all the states is presented during the parade at the Republic Day celebrations. In this Jhanki, all the states offer a glimpse of their diversity and culture. Not only this, every State presents a beautiful form of folk songs and folk dances in its State. People come from over the country to participate in the Republic Day celebrations and sit in the visitors' gallery. Along with this, the national channels are broadcasted live, thereby showing a glimpse of this ceremony to the country's entire people. And finally, the atmosphere of the whole of India reverberates with "Jana Gana Mana Gana."

Colorful Program

School and college students are very excited to celebrate this festival and start preparing for it a month in advance. On this day, students are awarded prizes and certificates, etc., for performing better in the academy, sports, or other education fields. Family people attend social events organized on this day with their friends, family, and children. Everyone gets ready to witness the show, which happens on the Rajpath on TV at 8 am. 

Celebrating Republic Day is a matter of honor

It is a great honor for people living in India and Indians living abroad to celebrate Republic Day. Everywhere in schools, in colleges, in offices, etc., on January 26, India's flag is hoisted, and there are many programs for which preparations start months before its arrival. The people of India celebrate January 26 with full enthusiasm and joy. The movement of people is stopped at India Gate due to security reasons.

How is our parliamentary system different from the parliamentary system of England?

1. Inspired by England's parliamentary system, we also have a parliamentary system. In England, like us, people choose MPs, and then all those MPs together elect the Prime Minister.

2. The Prime Minister of England is also responsible for people like our country. The public has the right to elect and remove this Prime Minister every five years. That is why England is also a democratic country, but still, England is not called a republic.

3. England is not just the only nation that has such a tradition. There are many countries of the world, including Japan, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, where there is a democracy, but there is no republic, but it is not so with India, that is why our country is the most unique. Indeed, it is honestly said, "Sare Jahan Se Acha, Hindostan Hamara."

4. Also, there is an underlying difference. The difference is of the person in the highest position of power, which is not understood as we do not witness it.

5. If the people have the right to choose and remove the person sitting in the highest position of power, that country is called a democratic. (As in India.) If not, that country would not be called a republican.

6. It is not so in England. There, the king (or queen) is seated at the highest position of power. Even today, only for the sake of it, there is Rajshahi. The people of England can change the Prime Minister, but not the King or Queen.

Some interesting facts related to Republic Day

1. On Republic Day, the program of Purna Swaraj got celebrated for the first time on January 26, 1930, in which there was a pledge to achieve complete independence from the British rule

2. A Christian tune gets played during the Republic Day Parade, named "Abide with me," as it is one of Mahatma Gandhi's favorite sounds.

3. President Sukarno of Indonesia was invited as the chief guest of India's first Republic Day celebrations.

4. Republic Day celebrations were first observed in Rajpath in the year 1955.

5. A 31-gun salute is given to India's President during the Republic Day celebrations of India.

Conclusion of Republic Day Celebrations

After celebrating the Republic Day celebrations enthusiastically, the ceremony is concluded with great pomp and show, called the Beating Retreat. The ceremony is held on January 3, January 26, that is, January 29. Three armies also participate in this ceremony. The ceremony is celebrated near Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President attends the program as the chief guest whom the chief of the three armies' salutes.

You can read similar write-up on relevance of astrology in indian festivals for all other major Indian Festivals.