republic day

The Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950.[1]

The 26th of January was chosen to honour the memory of the declaration of independence of 1930. It is one of the three national holidays in India, and while the main parade, Republic Day Parade takes place at the Rajpath, in the national capital New Delhi, where the president views the parade, state capitals also have their state celebrations.

Although India obtained its independence on 15 August 1947, it did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935, and the country was a Dominion, with George VI as head of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General. On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman. While India's Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution.

A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands. The Constitution of India was passed on 26 November 1949, 10.18 AM IST, but it came into effect completely only on 26th January, 1950. Following elections on 21 January 1950, Rajendra Prasad was elected as the president of India. The Indian National Congress and other parties had been celebrating 26 January as a symbol of Independence, even before India actually became independent. Thus, applying the constitution on 26 January, to mark and respect 26 January and the freedom struggle and the freedom fighters.

The amending mechanism was lauded even at the time of introduction by Ambedkar in the following words: "We can therefore safely say that the Indian federation will not suffer from the faults of rigidity or legalism. Its distinguished feature is that it is a flexible federation.

"The three mechanisms of the system derived by the Assembly, contrary to the predictions, have made the constitution flexible at the same time protected the rights of the states. They have worked better than the amending process in any other country where Federalism and the British Parliamentary system jointly formed the basis of the constitution."

What Sir Anthony Eden, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (April 1955 to January 1957), said at the time of the emergence of Indian Republic is relevant in this context. He said, "Of all the experiments in government, which have been attempted since the beginning of time, I believe that the Indian venture into parliamentary government is the most exciting. A vast subcontinent is attempting to apply to its tens and thousands of millions a system of free democracy... It is a brave thing to try to do so. The Indian venture is not a pale imitation of our practice at home, but a magnified and multiplied reproduction on a scale we have never dreamt of. If it succeeds, its influence on Asia is incalculable for good. Whatever the outcome we must honour those who attempt it."

Even more meaningful was the opinion expressed by an American Constitutional authority, Granville Austin, who wrote that what the Indian Constituent Assembly began was "perhaps the greatest political venture since that originated in Philadelphia in 1787."

Austin has also described the Indian Constitution as 'first and foremost a social document.' ... "The majority of India's constitutional provisions are either directly arrived at furthering the aim of social revolution or attempt to foster this revolution by establishing conditions necessary for its achievement."
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Celebrations
* 2 Chief guest
* 3 See also
* 4 References

[edit] Celebrations
Agni-II missile in Republic Day Parade 2004

To mark the importance of the occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate . Prior to its commencement, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to unknown soldiers at the India Gate at one end of Rajpath, which is followed by two minutes silence in the memory of unknown soldiers. Thereafter he reaches the main dais at Rajpath to join other dignitaries, subsequently the President arrives along with the chief guest of the occasion. First he unfurls the National flag, as the National Anthem is played, and a 21-gun salute is given. Next, important awards like the Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra are given away by the President, before the regiments of Armed Forces start their march past.

The different regiments of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force 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. Floats exhibiting the cultures of the various states and regions of India are in the grand parade, which is broadcast nationwide on television and radio. Also part of the parade are children who win the National Bravery Award for the year.[2] The parade also includes other vibrant displays and floats and traditionally ends with a flypast by Indian Air Force jets.

Celebrations are also held in state capitals, where the Governor of the state unfurls the national flag. If the Governor of the state is unwell, or is unavailable for some reason, the Chief Minister of the state assumes the honour of unfurling the National Flag of India.

Today, the Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential address to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defence of sovereignty of their country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.

To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The crème of N. C. C. cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.

The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country.

The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India
[edit] Chief guest

Since 1950, India has been hosting head of state or government of another country as the state guest of honour for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. During 1950-1954, Republic Day celebrations were organized at different venues (like Irwin Stadium, Kingsway, Red Fort and Ramlila Grounds).[3] It was only starting 1955 when the parade in its present form was organized at Rajpath.[3] The guest country is chosen after a deliberation of strategic, economic and political interests. During 1950s-1970s, a number of NAM and Eastern Bloc countries were hosted by India. In the post-Cold War era, India has also invited several Western leaders on a state visit during the Republic Day. It is notable that before India fought bloody wars with China and Pakistan, leaders from these countries were invited as state guests for the Republic Day celebrations. Interestingly, Pakistan Food and Agriculture Minister was the second state guest from that country for Republic Day in 1965, a few days after which the two countries went to a war. Countries which have been invited multiple times include India's neighbours (Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius), defence allies (Russia/USSR, France and Britain), trade partners (Brazil) and NAM allies (Nigeria and erstwhile Yugoslavia). France has the distinction of being the guest of honour for the maximum (four) number of times followed by three visits each from Bhutan, Mauritius and USSR/Russia.
Year↓ Guest Name↓ Country↓ Note↓
1950 President Sukarno[3] Indonesia
1951 -
1952 -
1953 -
1954 King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck[4] Bhutan
1955 Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad[5] Pakistan first guest for parade at Rajpath [6]
1956 -
1957 -
1958 Marshall Ye Jianying[7] People's Republic of China
1959 -
1960 President Kliment Voroshilov[8] Soviet Union
1961 Queen Elizabeth II[9] United Kingdom
1962 -
1963 King Norodom Sihanouk[10] Cambodia
1964 -
1965 Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid[3] Pakistan
1966 -
1967 -
1968 Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin Soviet Union
President Josip Broz Tito[11] Yugoslavia
1969 Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov[12] Bulgaria
1970 -
1971 President Julius Nyerere[13] Tanzania
1972 Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam [14] Mauritius
1973 President Mobutu Sese Seko[15] Zaire
1974 President Josip Broz Tito Yugoslavia
Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike[16] Sri Lanka
1975 President Kenneth Kaunda[17] Zambia
1976 Prime Minister Jacques Chirac[18] France
1977 First Secretary Edward Gierek[19] Poland
1978 President Patrick Hillery[20] Ireland
1979 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser[21] Australia
1980 President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing France
1981 President Jose Lopez Portillo[22] Mexico
1982 King Juan Carlos I[23] Spain
1983 President Shehu Shagari[24] Nigeria
1984 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck[25] Bhutan
1985 President Raúl Alfonsín[26] Argentina
1986 Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou[27] Greece
1987 President Alan Garcia[28] Peru
1988 President Junius Jayewardene[29] Sri Lanka
1989 General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh[30] Vietnam
1990 Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth[31] Mauritius
1991 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom[32] Maldives
1992 President Mário Soares[32] Portugal
1993 Prime Minister John Major[32] United Kingdom
1994 Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong[32] Singapore
1995 President Nelson Mandela[33] South Africa
1996 President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso[34] Brazil
1997 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday[34] Trinidad and Tobago
1998 President Jacques Chirac[34] France
1999 King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev[34] Nepal
2000 President Olusegun Obasanjo[35] Nigeria
2001 President Abdelaziz Bouteflika[35] Algeria
2002 President Cassam Uteem[35] Mauritius
2003 President Mohammed Khatami[35] Iran
2004 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva [36] Brazil
2005 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck[36] Bhutan
2006 King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud[36] Saudi Arabia
2007 President Vladimir Putin[36] Russia
2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy[36] France
2009 President Nursultan Nazarbayev[36] Kazakhstan
2010 President Lee Myung Bak[37] Republic of Korea
2011 President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono[38] Indonesia
[edit] See also

* Independence Day (India)
* History of India
* Republic Day in other countries

[edit] References

1. ^ "Introduction to Constitution of India". Ministry of Law and Justice of India. 29 July 2008. http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/introd.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
2. ^ National Bravery Awards-2005 Press Release, Govt. of India.
3. ^ a b c d http://www.scribd.com/doc/27325262/Yog-Sandesh-Jan-10-English
4. ^ www.claudearpi.net/maintenance/uploaded_pics/SW29.pdf
5. ^ http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Ntoyi7nyU6AJ:www.dawn.com/2005/01/31/fea.htm+india+"chief+guest"+of+"republic+day+parade"+"1955"&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
6. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=lQ74TNLeDpS4sAOS1oSGAg&ct=result&id=iru1AAAAIAAJ&dq=visit+india+republic+day+january+1964+nehru&q=republic+day#search_anchor
7. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=8F_4TIDxJ5KqsAPxxvDtAg&ct=result&id=Rh1uAAAAMAAJ&dq=visited+india+as+guest+%22republic+day%22+%221957%22&q=marshall#search_anchor
8. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=QfqUPmd1nvQC&pg=PA375&lpg=PA375&dq=Voroshilov+visited+india+january&source=bl&ots=DlQvYLLddW&sig=y2KZqSLRHhhvFVMqY4m_BaSFWPE&hl=en&ei=e_b3TL6ZHojUtQPczfn-AQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Voroshilov%20visited%20india%20january&f=false
9. ^ http://www.timescontent.com/tss/showcase/preview-buy/123836/News/Pandit-Jawaharlal-Nehru-Queen-Eliza.html
10. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=RNH6TMSOIY64sQO0lKj3DQ&ct=result&id=41jVAAAAMAAJ&dq=Norodom+Sihanouk+visit+to+india+january+1963+republic+day&q=invitation+1963+radhakrishnan#search_anchor
11. ^ http://www.google.com/search?q=visit+to+New+Delhi+of+Mr+Kosygin+on+the+occasion+of+Republic+Day&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=visit+of+Alexei+Kosygin+on+india+Republic+Day+january+1969&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=bks:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=wp&fp=7d6fc978b7918c0e
12. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=6sz6TO6GJ476sAPz99T2DQ&ct=result&id=v2LVAAAAMAAJ&dq=bulgari+president+T.+Zhivkov+visit+to+india+january+1969+republic+day&q=Todor+Zhivkov+republic+day#search_anchor
13. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=2yL4TOSOBJO6sQPS97n8AQ&ct=result&id=Ij9EAAAAIAAJ&dq=visit+to+india+january+1971+republic+day&q=principal+guest#search_anchor
14. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=cNb6TIzDOpL0tgOuqd33DQ&ct=result&sqi=2&id=y1IgAAAAMAAJ&dq=visit+to+india+Republic+Day+celebration+january+1972&q=Ramgoolam+republic+day#search_anchor
15. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=DOT6TKCaAoS0sAPa0oj3DQ&ct=result&id=nw62AAAAIAAJ&dq=President+Mobutu+of+Zaire+visited+a+state+visit+to+India+from+January+21+1973&q=President+Mobutu+#search_anchor
16. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=7TT4TNKOJonAsAPrqMnXAg&ct=result&id=9mhDAAAAYAAJ&dq=visit+India+in+January+1973+guest+%22republic+day%22&q=tito#search_anchor
17. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=BVnVAAAAMAAJ&q=President+Kenneth+Kaunda+visit+to+india+1974+republic+day&dq=President+Kenneth+Kaunda+visit+to+india+1974+republic+day&hl=en&ei=7i34TMO1CpL4swOdrd2WAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBQ
18. ^ http://www.ambafrance-au.org/france_australie/spip.php?article1521
19. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=F_73TP6oB5TAsAP46oWVAg&ct=result&id=s94nAAAAMAAJ&dq=Edward+Gierek+visit+india+in+january+1976&q=Edward+Gierek+1977#search_anchor
20. ^ http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/claremuseum/projects/hillery_exhibition/5_visits.htm
21. ^ http://www.hcindia-au.org/bilateral_visits.html
22. ^ http://mealib.nic.in/reports/80.81.htm
23. ^ http://mealib.nic.in/reports/81-82.htm
24. ^ http://mealib.nic.in/reports/83.84.htm
25. ^ http://mealib.nic.in/reports/84.85.htm
26. ^ www.mea.gov.in/meaxpsite/foreignrelation/23fr01.pdf
27. ^ www.mea.gov.in/meaxpsite/annualreport/ar20002001.pd
28. ^ http://meacommunity.org/Documents/MEA%20Annual%20Report%201986.doc
29. ^ http://meacommunity.org/Documents/ANNUAL%20REPORT%201987.doc
30. ^ http://meacommunity.org/Documents/ANNUAL%20REPORT%201988.doc
31. ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/choosing-rday-chief-guest-behind-the-warm-welcome-a-cold-strategy/571348/6
32. ^ a b c d http://www.indianexpress.com/news/choosing-rday-chief-guest-behind-the-warm-welcome-a-cold-strategy/571348/5
33. ^ "General South African History timeline" sahistory.org.za Accessed on 13 June 2008.
34. ^ a b c d http://www.indianexpress.com/news/choosing-rday-chief-guest-behind-the-warm-welcome-a-cold-strategy/571348/4
35. ^ a b c d http://www.indianexpress.com/news/choosing-rday-chief-guest-behind-the-warm-welcome-a-cold-strategy/571348/3
36. ^ a b c d e f http://www.indianexpress.com/news/choosing-rday-chief-guest-behind-the-warm-welcome-a-cold-strategy/571348/2
37. ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/choosing-rday-chief-guest-behind-the-warm-welcome-a-cold-strategy/571348/1
38. ^ http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/aug/03/indonesian-president-next-republic-day-parade-chief-guest.htm