Jan 26, 2022 ,Significance of India’s Republic Day….

For all those who think that India’s Republic Day is just another fun-filled day in the holiday list when one can go for partying and picnic with friends and families, or for some, who imagine wrongly that the day is for kite flying and basking in the sun, or visiting malls to purchase household items at fabulous discounts and availing scratch coupons, they are disgustingly mistaken. For, Republic Day is one of the most revered days for us as a nation, and as a sovereign republic, we have emerged as one of the strongest nations globally. It is, therefore, a must for all Indians whether in India or abroad,  to observe the day with sanctity, dedication, honesty, commitment and pride.

Let us ponder over some of the most important features that make our Republic Day significant. Let us strive and do all our best to celebrate Republic Day with dignity.

• The day, January the26th was chosen to remind us of the fact, that on the same day in 1930, the Indian National Congress had unanimously resolved for Purna Swaraj calling for complete freedom from the British Crown.
• On this day in 1950, the Constitution Of India came into effect declaring our country as a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic. The two words socialist and secular were added much later.
• When India attained Independence in 1947, there was a dire need for a Constitution to govern the country as the 1935 Government Of India Act was being used and enacted for governing our state. A Drafting Committee was constituted on 29^th August 1947 with Dr B R Ambedkar as the Chairman and many other illustrious people, a doyen in their rights as the other celebrated members.
• The Constituent Assembly had massive sessions and had 165 meetings and thereafter on 26^th November 1949, it was adopted with 284 signatories.
• The original Constitution was handwritten and was decorated and illustrated by none other than Sri Nandalal Bose, one of the greatest artists that India has ever seen. It was made in both English and Hindi.
• It took exactly 166 days to complete drafting the Constitution which spanned for almost three years.
• The two handwritten copies of our Constitution are preserved with utmost care in helium-filled cases in the Parliament House so that these two copies are always preserved.
• The Constitution was published in Dehradun and photo lithographed by the Survey Of India.  It was presented on 24^th January 1950. Two days later the Assembly adopted the Constitution and that changed the course of history in India.
• The main function is held on Rajpath in New Delhi the main thoroughfare from the Rashtrapati Bhawan down to the Raisina Hills through India Gate where a ceremonial parade is held in front of the President of India who is the supreme commander of our armed forces.
• The programme starts with the unfurling of the national tricolour by the President and the parade starts with selected regiments of the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The GOC in Chief,   Delhi area leads the entire contingent.
• This year we will be celebrating the 73^rd Republic Day. Unfortunately due to the COVID situation prevailing all over the country when we are passing through the severe third wave of coronavirus, and a spike in positive cases,  there will no foreign Head Of State as the Chief Guest.
• The main theme of Republic Day this year is INDIA@75 and the PRO Office, Defence says the number of visitors to the parade venue will be restrained.
• The Republic Day festivities come to an end on the 29^th of January with the Beating Retreat ceremony. The ceremony is held at the Raisina Hills and Vijay Chowk overlooking the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Top military bands of the three services play patriotic songs in front of the President who is the chief guest. The entire function is meticulously completed by sundown as the national tricolour has to be brought down by sunset.

SUGATO ROY

GRADUATE FROM ST XAVIER’S COLLEGE AND POST GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA, SPECIALISING IN MARKETING MANAGEMENT AND ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT.  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OF 24 YEARS IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLISHING INDUSTRY.  HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR  LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY MANAGEMENT.

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