Republic Day Substantial History, Significance and Celebration

-- Samiah, X-B, Kuwait Indian School

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Every year, January 26 is celebrated as The Republic Day in India. It is one of the three Indian national holidays and it commemorates the enactment of the constitution of India, which occurred on January 26, 1950. India achieved independence from Britain on August 15, 1947 (which is celebrated as Independence Day), but for its first three years the country remained governed largely by the colonial Government of India Act (1935). This day also marks the transition of India from an autonomous Commonwealth realm with British Monarch as nominal head of the Indian Dominion, to a fully sovereign republic in the Commonwealth of Nations with the President of India as the nominal head of the Indian Union.

After attaining Independence, there was the need for a proper and permanent constitution because even after independence, we were following the same British constitution that was the modified version of the (Colonial) Government of India Act of 1935. So, a drafting committee was established under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on August 29, 1947, to draft the permanent constitution for our country.

This was a 7-member committee, consisting of Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N. Gopalaswami, K.M. Munshi, Mohammad Saadulla, B.L. Mitter, and D.P. Khaitan along with B.R. Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar was invited by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to serve as the first Law Minister of Independent India, as he had studied the constitution of over 60 countries and was a wise constitutional expert. On November 4, 1947, the draft of the Constitution was submitted to the Constituent Assembly by the committee. The constitution did not come into effect so easily. It took 166 days of assembly sessions which spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days before adopting the constitution on November 26, 1949. These assembly sessions were open to the public.

After various modifications, on January 24, 1950, the assembly comprising of 308 members signed the two copies in English as well as Hindi. On January 26, 1950, after two days of that, the constitution of Independent India came into effect. It took a total of ? 6.4 million to finish the process. India was declared as an Independent Republic and 26th January was declared as the Republic Day or Ganatantra Diwas of India. From that day onwards, we celebrate it every year on 26th January.
The constituent assembly became the Parliament of India under the provisions of the New Constitution. Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru were declared the President and the Prime minister of the Republic of India, respectively. Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar who played a crucial role in drafting our constitution throughout the whole process, is known as ‘the Father of the Indian Constitution’.

The constitution of India is a huge document which lays down procedures, powers, duties, fundamental rights and directive principles of Government of India & Indian citizens. The governing principle of the Indian Constitution is “of the people, for the people and by the people”, which signifies that the power is vested in the hands of the citizens of India. Republic Day marks the celebration of the empowerment of Indian citizens to select their own government. It is a national holiday which commemorates the process of establishment of the Indian Constitution.

The Republic Day Parade is led by the three divisions of the Indian Armed Forces – Navy, Air Force and the Indian Army. Besides this, there are several cultural tableaus, rally of marching soldiers, military bands, aircraft shows and display of spectacular skill and daring on military vehicles. The gloriest of parades takes place at Rajpath, New Delhi. The parade is conducted by the Indian President and is arranged by the Ministry of Defence. Other than displaying its military prowess, the event also promotes India’s diverse culture. The event also colonizes to the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country. The Prime Minister of honours the martyrs by putting a ringlet at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. It’s followed by a 21-gun salute, national flag hoisting, and national anthem. Awards are presented to the brave soldiers in the form of Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, and Vir Chakra. Even children and general citizens who have displayed courage in times of adversity are honoured with awards.

I would like to conclude my article by giving salutes to our freedom fighters, who fought for us to give us this freedom. Let's come together and make India more prosperous and great. Happy Republic Day!

Samiah, X-B, Kuwait Indian School