Republic Day is India's great national festival. It is celebrated every year on
January 26, in New Delhi with great pomp and pageant and in capitals of the States,
as well as at other headquarters and important places with patriotic fervour.
It was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December
31, 1929 - January 1, 1930, that the Tri-Colour Flag was unfurled by the nationalists
and a pledge taken that every year on January 26, the "Republic Day" would
be celebrated
and that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a Sovereign
Democratic Republic of India. The professed pledge was successfully redeemed on
26 January, 1950, when the Constitution of India framed by the Constituent Assembly
of India came into force, although the Independence from the British rule was achieved
on August 15, 1947.
It is because of this that August 15 is celebrated as Independence Day, while January
26 as Republic Day. The most spectacular celebrations include the march past of
the three armed Forces, massive parades, folk dances by tribal folk from the different
states in picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India. Further, the
streak of jet planes of Indian Air Force, leaving a trial of coloured smoke, marks
the end of the festival. The trees on both sides of the routes and the lawns become
alive with spectators.
The President of India at New Delhi, on this most colourful day, takes salute of
the contingents of Armed Forces. In the States, the Governors take the salute, and
in Taluqas and administrative headquarters on same procedure is adopted. At Vijay
Chowk in New Delhi, three days later (i.e. 29th January) the massed bands of the
Armed Forces "Beat the Retreat" in a majestic manner.
The Republic Day celebrations have rightly become world famous as one of the
greatest shows on earth drawing thousands of eager sight-seers from all over the
country and many parts of the world. No other country can draw on such a wealth
of tribal traditions and cultures, so many regional forms of dances and dress. And,
no other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in
splendid uniforms as India's Armed Forces. But they are all united in their proven
loyalty to the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and
legendary gallantry.
Celebrations:
Officially, Republic Day is celebrated all over the country - national
capital, state capitals, municipal corporations, panchayats, and other official
agencies. At the level of the people,
it is observed in homes, housing colonies,
schools, colleges and institutions of every kind.
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