India Celebrates 70th Republic Day

While the democratic nation of India marks its 70th Republic Day today, SHIKHA JAIN writes about its significance and more

While most of us associate this day with the grand Republic Day parade, January 26 is a lot more than just that. Republic Day marks the day India formally adopted the Constitution as the guiding document and became an independent republic. It is the day when monarchy was demolished in the country. On January 26, 1950, India was declared a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and the Constitution assured the citizens of India justice, equality and liberty.

Significance

Though India became independent on August 15, 1947 the country didn’t have a permanent constitution and Government of India Act 1935 was used back then. A few days after Independence, that’s on 28 August 1947, the drafting committee was set up to create a new and permanent constitution and the same was headed by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. The constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950 for the whole nation. And that’s why Indians celebrate Republic Day on January 26, the day India became an independent republic replacing the Government of India Act, 1935.

Celebrations

The national holiday is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. On Republic Day, people celebrate the same by hoisting the national flag and many events are conducted in schools and other institutions. Many also watch the hoisting of the tricolor by the President of India at India Gate and the ceremonious parade as well. The main celebrations are held in the national capital at the Rajpath. The parades are performed as a tribute to India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and a national holiday is observed nationwide.

Conclusion

While we celebrate Republic Day with grandeur, it is also a fitting time to remember the struggle of the freedom fighters that made this day possible. A nation is what its people want it to be. We should be grateful that our forefathers struggled hard and sacrificed their lives to earn Independence. Today India is counted as one of the biggest republics and now it is our duty to take it forward and work towards making India a better country in every way.
Inputs from freepressjournal