Feel proud to be Indian
-- Khushhi Arora, X-D, Indian Educational School (Bhavans)
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Republic Day is celebrated on 26th January every year. This day is celebrated with fervor and pride across India. On this day, the Constitution of India came into effect. It marks the day when India got truly independent and attained the historic Purna Swaraj. We became a sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic republic country on 26 January 1950, almost three years post-independence
Republic means “a state where people enjoy supreme power, freedom and choose their own representatives." They got this tremendous power / freedom as India had got its new Constitution on this day. Earlier India had no constitution. The country had no means to provide its people such power and freedom within some limits. On the same date i.e. on 26th Jan 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad became First President of Republic India.
On every 26th January, people from across the country celebrate Republic Day with great enthusiasm. Republic Day is celebrated in every village, town, city and capital of each state as well as in Delhi. In Delhi, the Celebration takes place at India Gate.
The Delhi Republic Day parade is held in the capital, New Delhi and is organized by the Ministry of Defense. Commencing from the gates of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's residence), Raisina Hill on Rajpath past the India Gate, this event is the main attraction of India's Republic Day Celebrations and lasts for three days. The parade showcases India's Defense Capability, Cultural and Social Heritage.
Nine to twelve different regiments of the Indian Army in addition to the Navy, and Air Force with their bands march past in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. Twelve contingents of various para-military forces of India and police forces also take part in this parade.
The Beating Retreat ceremony is held after officially denoting the end of Republic Day festivities. It is conducted on the evening of 29 January, the third day after the Republic Day. It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The venue is Raisina Hill and an adjacent square, Vijay Chowk, flanked by the North and South block of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace) towards the end of Rajpath.
The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives escorted by the President's Bodyguard (PBG), a cavalry unit. When the President arrives, the PBG commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Army. The Army develops the ceremony of display by the massed bands in which Military Bands, Pipe and Drum Bands, Buglers and Trumpeters from various Army Regiments besides bands from the Navy and Air Force take part which play popular tunes like Abide With Me, Mahatma Gandhi's favorite hymn, and Saare Jahan Se Achcha at the end.
On the eve of Republic Day, the President of India distributes Padma Awards to the civilians of India every year. These are the second highest civilian awards in India after Bharat Ratna. These awards are given in three categories, viz. Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, in decreasing order of importance.
Padma Vibhushan for "exceptional and distinguished service". Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India.
Padma Bhushan for "distinguished service of a high order". Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in India.
Padma Shri for "distinguished service". Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India.
While being national honors, the Padma awards do not include cash allowances, benefits, or special concessions in rail/air travel. Per a December 1995 judgment of the Supreme Court of India, no titles or honorifics are associated with the Bharat Ratna or any of the Padma awards; Honorees cannot use them or their initials as suffixes, prefixes or pre- and post-nominals attached to the awardee's name. This includes any such use on letterheads, invitation cards, posters, books etc. In the case of any misuse, the awardee will forfeit the award, and he or she will be cautioned against any such misuse upon receiving the honor.
The decoration comprises a sanad (Certificate) issued under the hand and seal of the President and a Medallion. The recipients are also given a replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc., if they desire. A commemorative brochure giving out brief details in respect of each award winner is also released on the day of the investiture ceremony.
So, Republic Day is a great Indian Festival. It creates feeling of patriotism among the people. It reminds us of the supreme sacrifices made by great freedom fighters. Republic Day also realizes us our responsibilities towards our country. It makes us feel proud to be Indian.
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Khushhi Arora, X-D, Indian Educational School (Bhavans) |
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