Today’s tech-savvy generation may know many thing about software and latest apps, but most youngsters fail to differentiate between Republic Day and Independence Day. Yes, it sounds shocking, but it’s true. These facts will leave every Indian feel proud of their nation.
Image Source : i.ndtvimg.com
- This is the day when the constitution of India became effective and we proudly commemorate this day as one of heyday of Indian history. For those who are still not aware, Indian Constitution is longest in the world.
- On this day the Indian National Congress passed a resolution declaring India a free country. January 26 was actually celebrated as Purna Swaraj Day or Independence Day until August 15 officially became the Independence Day of India in 1947. So, people who often confuse this day as Independence Day are not absolutely wrong.
- The first draft of Indian constitution was not in printed format. It was handwritten both Hindi and English. The constitution has 448 articles that are further divided into 22 Parts, 12 Schedules, and 97 Amendments.
- The pattern of Indian Constitution has been inspired by other nations’ constitutions. This includes the the five-year plans from the USSR constitution. Moreover, the concept of liberty, equality and fraternity has been taken from the French constitution.
- The Republic Day parade now takes place on Rajpath every year. But this was not the case in earlier days of Independence, from 1950 to 1954. At that time the parade was performed at different venues such as Red Fort, Ramlila Ground, Irwin Stadium, and Rajpath.
Image Source : images.indianexpress.com
- Republic Day is celebrated for three days. Yes, you read that right. For three consecutive days, the parade is performed on Rajpath to mark national festivities, which finally end with the Beating Retreat ceremony on the third day.
- The parade on 26th January or the first parade of Republic day is celebrated with more than 100 aircrafts, which include Liberators, Spitfires, Dakotas, and Harvards. These are the highest number of planes that are part of the Republic day celebrations so far.
- It all began in 1955, when the first parade was held on Rajpath in the presence of first Governor General of Pakistan, Malik Gulam Mohammed, who honored the occasion as a chief guest. Since then the parade is performed every year to celebrate this day with joy and pride.
- During the Republic Day celebration every year, the song “Abide By Me” has been played in instrumental form. This song is believed to be one of the favorites of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation.
- On 26th January 1965, Hindi was declared as the official language of India. So, this makes the day even more special as we got our official language on this very day.
Image Source : im.rediff.com
- Every year, president of the nation welcomes a foreign head of state as a chief guest on Republic Day. In 2014, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the celebration. Similarly, U.S. President Barack Obama visited India in 2015 on this day, and French President Francois Hollande the celebration on 2016.
- On the Republic Day, the president of India even confers National Bravery Awards (such as Maha Veer Chakra, Veer Chakra, Param Veer Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Ashoka Chakra) to all the deserving candidates.
- Even school children participate in the Republic Day parade. They can be seen singing and dancing on different patriotic songs.
- On Republic Day, the lion head from Ashoka pillar in Sarnath was declared as India’s national emblem.
- It is one of the national holidays in India, others are Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti.