Republic Day 2023: Know the history and significance of R-Day
New Delhi, January 23: Since 1950, every year on 26 January Republic Day is celebrated in India. India got independence on August 15, 1947 from the British rule, and is celebrated Independence Day on that day. Republic Day marks the celebration of the empowerment of Indian citizens and they select their own government.
Every year on this day in New Delhi, armed forces personnel march along the Rajpath. There is an epic show organised on Rajpath, everything that is taking place all over the country; on this auspicious day.
On January 26, 1950 Indian Constitution came into existence after getting independence from British rule.
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History
Independence Day is celebrates the freedom from the British Rule, the Indian constitution came to force on this day. January 26 was the date chosen since it was on this day in 1929 that the Indian National Congress issued the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj), opposing the British Regime's Dominion status.
India achieved independence on August 15, 1947. There was a committee created a few days later, on August 29, to draft a permanent constitution for independent India. In this committee Dr BR Ambedkar was made chairman.
The committee drafted the constitution and submitted it to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1947. There were numerous assemble session for over two years,after which finally the Constitution was adopted. On January 24, 1950, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two handwritten versions of the agreement one in Hindi and one in English after much deliberation and a few changes.
The constitution came into effect two days later, on January 26, 1950. Dr Rajendra Prasad began his first tenure as President of the Indian Union on that day.
Significance
The constitution was formally adopted in 1950, it replaced the British colonial Government of India Act (1935) as the country's governing text.
The Preamble to the Constitution of India – there was a statement presenting the key principles of the Constitution which came into effect. The Constitution of India establishes fundamental rights that should be enjoyed by all citizens of this country. It also establishes some fundamental duties for all citizens of the country to abide by.
Facts About Republic Day
1) The Republic Day parade was held at Irwin Stadium, Kingsway, Red Fort, and Ramlila grounds between the year 1950 and 1954.
2) Since 1955 the Republic Day celebrations have been held at Rajpath. Rajpath was once known as the Kingsway, in honour of India's then emperor, George V. The road was later renamed as Rajpath after independence, which also means King's Way in Hindi.
3) On January 26, leader of any particular nation is invited to be the chief guest for the Republic Day parade. The first President Sukarno of Indonesia was to attend India's Republic Day celebrations as chief guest in the year 1950.
4) The Republic Day parade starts after the arrival of the President of India. The President's cavalier bodyguards salute the National Flag first.
5) The National Anthem is then played after the parade, which is then followed by a 21-gun salute. The firing is, however, not done using 21 canons. It is done with seven canons of the Indian army known as '25-Ponders' that fire three rounds each.
6) Each member of the army who takes part in the march must go through four layers of investigation. Aside from that, their arms are extensively inspected to ensure they are not carrying live bullets.
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- With inputs from agencies
