–Agrah Pandit
Republic Day commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1650. It is the day when the newly drafted Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act, 1935. Let’s see some interesting facts about the Republic Day:
- When India achieved independence, we were a constitutional monarchy with George VI as Head of the State and the Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. However, we became a sovereign, democratic republic on Januray 26, 1950 resulting in Dr. Rajendra Prasad beginning his first term of the office as President of India and the Constituent Assembly becoming the Parliament of India under the transitional provisions of the new Constitution.
- The President addresses the nation on Republic Day while the Prime Minister addresses on Independence Day.
- The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constitution Assembly on November 26, 1949. However, the date of enactment was chosen as January 26 because on this very day, the Indian National Congress had promulgated the declaration of Purna Swaraj first time in 1930.
- It took 166 days over a spread of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to draft the Constitution. The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. From originally 395 articles grouped into 22 parts with 8 schedules, it has expanded into 470 articles divided into 25 parts and 12 schedules, thanks to 104 amendments.
- The Republic Day Parade is held at Rajpth New Delhi and is organized by the Ministry of Defence. It showcases India’s defence capability and rich cultural-social heritage.
- Rajpath became the permanent venue for the Republic Day parade only in 1955. Before that, it was celebrated at Red Fort, Kingsway Camp, National Stadium, etc.
- The Beating Retreat ceremony, held on January 29 (3 days after the Republic Day), marks the end of the Republic Day festivities.
- The tune Abide With Me*, that is played during the Beating Retreat ceremony, is a Christian hymn penned by Henry Francis Lyte. It was a favourite hymn of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Padma Awards, viz., Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri and bravery awards, viz., Ashok Chakra, Param Veer Chakra, Maha Veer Chakra, Veer Chakra, Kirti Chakra are distributed by the President of India on the eve of the Republic Day every year.
- 21-gun salute is offered on the Republic Day in complete synchronization with the national anthem from the first gunfire to the last. The President was greeted with a 31-gun salute on the first Republic Day in 1950.
- The President is escorted by President’s Body Guard, the elite house mounted cavalry regiment of Indian Army stationed permanently at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Republic Day 2021
- The tableaux of the Union Territory of Ladakh will participate in the parade for the first time this year. It will showcase the Indian Astronomical Observatory located at Hanle near Leh and Thiksey monastery.
- This will be the first Republic Day in decades without a chief guest. The invited guest, the Biritish PM Boris Johnson, had to cancel his visit due to Covid-19 scare. The last year’s chief guest was Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The first ever Chief Guest to attend Republic Day ceremony was President Sukarno of Indonesia in 1950.
- The newly inducted Rafale fighter jet will feature in the Republic Day parade.
- Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth will become the first woman fighter pilot to participate in the parade.
- Uttar Pradesh’s tableau, this year, will feature a replica of the under-construction Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
*There are reports that Abide With Me may soon be dropped from the list of tunes for the Beating the Retreat ceremony. The National Song Vande Mataram is likely to replace it.
