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What is Republic Day?
Republic Day is celebrated on the 26th of January every year. The day is celebrated to mark the day on which our constitution came into effect. It was on this day that our country was considered a democratic republic and hence the day is celebrated to mark this achievement.
The day also marks the occasion when on 26th January, 1950, the citizens of the country came forward to formally accepting the constitution of India and declared an independent, sovereign democratic country worldwide.
Republic Day is declared a national holiday throughout the country on 26th of January every year. Our constitution is our national pride and every citizen is guaranteed fundamental rights and it is the duty of every citizen to abide by the fundamental duties laid out in the constitution of India.
Which Republic Day is this in the year 2020?
India is celebrating its 71st year of republic day in this year 2020
Happy Republic Day 2019
Republic day makes us remember our past. Our glorious past reminds us of the great sacrifice by our leaders. Many sacrificed their lives to build our nation and its future.
We have a good future ahead of us, because our leaders made it possible for us. It was their sacrifice that we are living in peace today. It was because of them that we are able to enjoy our freedom and independence today.
Republic day means spreading messages of love, peace and harmony. It is only our country that in the past 10,000 years it has not conquered any other country or gone on war on its own with some other country.
The messages of self contained patriotism and love for the country fetch far wide on every republic day and we can see our tricolor flag flutter with true colors of national identity.
Republic Day 2019 – Celebrating 71st Republic Day of India
The 71st Republic day will be celebrated on the 71st of January 2019. The tradition of the republic day will be followed like every year in the heart of the country at Rajpath, New Delhi.
The much awaited parade that will display the cultural diversity of our country will be awaited with bated breath by the audience. The rich display of our national wealth in terms of our armed forces will be a feast to the eyes.
The guest of honor from another country who will be religiously participating in the proceedings of the event will be witness to the fabulous display of our rich heritage.
The President of India ceremoniously receives the guests of honor on the big day and makes sure they receive the best treatment from dignitaries belonging to our country.
During the speech that will be delivered by the Prime minister, he will be addressing the gathering and special mention and thanks will be extended to the guests of honor, who took time out from their busy schedules to attend the republic day at our country.
Apart from the parade and the display by the armed forces, children wait for the announcement of the bravery awards.
Dance performances from various school children, in colorful attires and props, rendering colorful performances mark the highlight of the day. The tableau from each state will prepare a different theme each year and participate to arrive as the best tableau among others.
The Indian flag will be hoisted after all the guests of honor arrive at the event. The gallantry awards, the prestigious Arjuna awards will be given out to the deserving candidates. The Prime Minister will be paying his respects for the soldiers who laid down their lives in battles during his visit to the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Post Republic day Celebrations
Apart from the ceremonial events that take place on Republic day, another important patriotic event connected with the republic day celebrations that take place every year on the 29th of January is “Beating the retreat” ceremony.
The three important pillars of the Indian armed forces, mainly, the Indian Army, Navy and the Air force display their individual bands and steal the show with their stellar performances.
This event, just like the Republic day is an annual event, the chief guest being the President of India. This was not part of the celebrations, keeping with the traditions of the Indian armed forces.
In 1961, the Queen Elizabeth 2 and Prince Philip came to India to pay their respects to our nation after it achieved independence.
So, to welcome them to our country this grand ceremony was held back then and it became a religious practice in the formal way since then.
Meaning & Definition of Republic Day
Republic Day can be defined as the day to mark the official commencement of the constitution of India. India turned into a sovereign democratic on this day in the year 1950 and our constitution was brought into force for the first time.
Till then, our country was ruled by the monarch of England, once our country framed its own constitution and brought it into force, the monarch led his powers totally into our country’s national governing authority.
Thus the republic day is of national importance to every citizen of our country.
Till we got republic on the 26th of January 1950, our country was governed by the government of India act 1935. This document was treated as the central document for every legal body, for every person in authority and for every citizen to abide by its rules and regulations; in short it was the guideline document to be referred to.
It was on 26th January 1950 that this document was replaced by the actual constitution of our country coming into force in its place.
When our country gained independence, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had first delivered the Independence speech in the midnight of 14th of August 1947 and this is the most historic speech ever made at the Red fort even today.
After the significant event of India’s independence, the long overdue task that was pending was the creation of the country’s constitution.
After two and a half years of gaining independence, India finally became a sovereign democratic republic and terminated the monarch rule for England.
This was a much needed achievement for the country, which could emerge as a country that could use its own constitutional framework to make and create its own legal benchmarks and routines for the country.
Republic Day Parade
The republic day parade is held every year in the capital of our country. It is organized by the Ministry of defence. Before the beginning of the parade, the prime minister visits the Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay his respects for soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.
Then, the official commencement of the parade begins. Every year, the republic day parade starts from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, moves along the Rajpath and then goes further beyond the India gate.
The armed forces of the Indian army, navy and air forces march past in front of their gathering, displaying the pride of India. Various contingents from the border security forces and other forces also join in an ordered sequence as the parade progresses further.
Display of discipline, determination and dedication by NCC students from various schools also mark parade celebrations.
Then comes the tableau display from every state of the nation, showing the richness in culture and diversity. The Parade comes to an end by motorcycle skills display and flying jets by the armed forces.
Republic Day Celebration
Republic Day celebration in school
On republic day, children from the lowest to the most upper grade of the school take part in the celebrations at school. The hoisting of the Indian national flag along with cultural events to mark national importance to the event will be carried out at all schools across the nation.
India’s glorious past, the way political leaders fought for our country’s freedom and independence, the freedom struggle against British rule and the framing of our constitution are common things that school children will be enlightened on republic day.
The route to achieve a democratic sovereign nation would be explained in quite detail by the chief guests. This will definitely inspire the youth to participate in nation building activities in their own small ways.
Republic Day celebration in college
Just like the celebrations at schools, the Republic day celebrations at college take part in a similar way, but students participating will be from higher age groups, so their understanding levels will be much higher compared to that of school level students.
The events at college will usually commence with March past, cultural programs and conclude with guest speeches. Children are expected to practice well for the march past and give attention to detail.
The chief guests deliver interesting and inspiring lectures to the students, one that involves feeling of patriotism in every student.
Cultural programs usually borrow themes related to nationalism and patriotism and display colorful hues of cultural richness and diversity.
Republic Day celebration in office
Republic day celebrations at office should not be limited to wearing ethnic dresses and decorating the office alone. Special programs should be conducted to bring in the spirit of republic day.
Health awareness programs, cleanliness drives, counseling sessions for employees, wellness programs, etc. Employees can actually bring in their families to office and spend a meaningful day with their children and spouses.
They can also take part in the day’s celebrations. Placards and slogans can be written and displayed near the office regarding social responsibilities of every citizen towards their nation.
Republic Day celebration in society
Every year, housing societies organize Republic day celebrations within their premises. Neighbors who were previously not on good terms can make use of such celebrations to forget past memories and create new bondings with each other.
After all, the spirit of the celebrations is to bring together people, share love and understanding, spread messages of brotherhood and unity with each other. Residents come out of their houses in their ethnic attires and decorate their complexes with patriotic and national themes.
The basic activity of hoisting the Indian tricolor flag is carried out after which there will be distribution of sweets to all the residents.
If a guest of honor is called to preside over the event, then he would be allowed to deliver an inspiring lecture regarding the importance of republic day in our country.
History behind Republic Day
India achieved independence on the 15th of August 1947. It was a much needed independence and freedom from the British. The British ruled our country for almost 2 centuries and left back heart wrenching incidents even after they moved out of our country.
The legal version of our independence was rendered under the Indian Independence act 1947. Later, the UK government passed a law that split our nation into two independent nations (dominions) of the British Commonwealth.
That is, the country had not achieved a state of sovereign republic right after independence. It was still under the rule of the Monarch of England.
The government of India act 1935 served as the legal document that governed our country after independence. But on 28th august, 1947 the drafting committee successfully appointed Dr. B R Ambedkar as its chairman.
He was chosen to chair the committee that drafted the permanent constitution of our country. On 4th November 1947, this committee prepared a draft version of the constitution and presented it in front of the parliament.
On 24th January 1950, after nearly two years of presenting the draft versions, the permanent draft of our constitution was finally approved. A couple of days later, on the 26th of January, 1950 it was legally brought into force in the entire nation.
Republic Day Speech (250 words)
Good Morning to one and all present here. I welcome the honorary dignitaries present on stage. A warm welcome to the honorary chief guest of the day, our school principal, the management, staff, non-teaching staff and students.
Today on 26th January 2019, we are celebrating the 71st Republic day of our nation. Let us know the significance of celebrating republic day every year. Our country got independence from British rule on the 15th of August 1947.
It was a long struggle under the British before the country got free from their rule. Lakhs of people laid down their lives in order to save the country from getting ruined in the hands of the British.
They fought the struggle for independence under the great leadership of great freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel etc. Republic day is celebrated to commemorate the day when the constitution of our country was formed.
On the 26th of January 1950, the day is etched in the pages of history because the constitution written for our nation came into force. Our nation thus had its own republic. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first president of independent India.
The common man is considered the ultimate force of the country. The common man is bestowed with rights to choose his leader through an electoral vote bank process.
Our constitution has framed laws and acts that provides free and fair rule to all citizens of India and enlightens them about their rights and duties as citizens of India.
Republic Day speech (450 words)
A very good morning and hearty welcome to the gathering. I personally thank the guest of honor for today who has agreed to preside over the event. A very warm welcome to our beloved principal and the teaching staff for guiding us in our efforts to make this day a memorable one.
I also extend my wishes to the non-teaching staff as well as my dear friends for their co-operation in carrying out the event. We all know that 26th of January is celebrated as republic day every year. Today, i.e., on 26th January 2019, we are celebrating the 70th Republic day of our nation. India is our motherland.
It has offered us so much in terms of its diverse culture, unique traditions, and excellent hospitality across different regions. We should all respect our beliefs and customs that allow us to be connected to the very fact of being an Indian.
Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, etc fought valiantly to achieve freedom for the nation. They toiled day and night to free the country from British rule.
Once the country was free from the British, the country was under the Congress government rule which had to build the nation from scratch. The nation was seeing a time of chaos and utter confusion and there was no proper judgment of law during those times.
So, an effective constitution that prepared rules and regulations, created a legislative, implemented a judiciary was brought in place to run the country on the tracks of law and order.
We should be thankful to the great leaders who framed our constitution, because anything that happens in our country, takes place inside a legal framework and thus the constitution forms the basic reference point for all activities in the country.
The constitution has provided separate provisions for looking into the technological development of the country. We are a nation still deeply etched in poverty. People friendly schemes and schemes to uplift the downtrodden masses are special initiatives declared in the constitution.
We should adhere to the doctrines mentioned in the constitution and perform our activities only within the framework of law. The wrong implementation of the laws under constitution has brought the nation under the paws of political leaders in the current scenario.
We should effectively deliver justice to people. Law should be implemented correctly in the courts. We should represent our nation in all walks of life. We should respect decisions taken by the constitution drafters.
Our country is in dearth of great leadership at present times. We should choose only the right representatives who can run the country smoothly. We need good leaders like Bhagat Singh, who can defend the country and sacrifice for the nation when situation demands.
Why do we celebrate Republic Day?
- The day is celebrated to remember our great leaders, how they fought to achieve freedom for our nation, incidents that took place post partition, etc.
- When India achieved independence, the country got its much needed freedom from the British. But it was not declared a sovereign democratic republic at that time. It took almost 2 years and more to formally enact the constitution and bring it into force in India.
- It was a proud moment for the country when it attained its republic status. People were surely enjoying their freedom from the British. But the democratic status gave them voting powers that is they could elect their own representatives in a democracy.
- People’s rights are protected in the constitution under fundamental rights specified in the document. Therefore, even the elected representatives have to act responsibly and adhere to the legal provisions enabled in the constitution.
- The monarch rule from the British formally came to an end that day. Hence, in a way though the British exited from our country in 1947, the actual freedom and liberation was gained only on the first republic day when our country got its own constitution.
Importance & Significance of Republic Day
- It is one of the three national holidays declared in our country by the government.
- Republic day is a day to celebrate the commencement of our constitution in a legal and formalized framework.
- Rajendra Prasad became the first President of Republic India. He laid down the importance of lives lost in freedom struggle movements and established the significance of the democratic republic of our nation.
- The constitution is a powerful document that protects the interests of the people and provides them fundamental rights.
- The constitutional provisions laid down in the permanent draft of the constitution aims at achieving social reformations and revolutions in the society.
Republic Day Quotes
- “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” – By Mahatma Gandhi.
- “We are Indians, firstly and lastly.” – by Dr. B R Ambedkar
- “At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike she [India] has never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength.”– By Jawaharlal Nehru.
- “Even if I died in the service of the nation, I would be proud of it. Every drop of my blood… will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it strong and dynamic.” – By Indira Gandhi.
- “Let new India arise out of peasants’ cottage, grasping the plough, out of huts, cobbler and sweeper.” – By Swami Vivekananda
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