Republic Day 2024: Its Background, Importance, and Reasons for Celebration

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Republic Day is observed in India on January 26 of every year. On Friday, 2024, the country will commemorate its 75th Republic Day. In commemoration of the draft and ratification of the Indian Constitution, it is an important national holiday.

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India is really proud and fervently celebrating the day. Along with flag-hoisting events across the country, the Indian armed forces take part in a range of cultural festivities and military parades along New Delhi’s Rajpath. The Indian military’s enthralling airshows and parades give citizens a peek of what it means to be Indian as they greet each other cheerfully on Republic Day.

History of Republic Day

Would you like to know why Republic Day is observed?

On January 26, 1950, our Indian Constitution went into effect, superseding the Government of India Act that had set the date for our nation. This is why we commemorate Republic Day every year.

India did not have a written constitution prior to August 15, 1947, when it attained independence. The legislation were mostly derived from the 1935 Government of India Act. A resolution was later passed on August 29, 1947, designating Dr. BR Ambedkar as the chairman of the drafting committee responsible for creating our nation’s sovereign constitution.

The process of creating the guidelines outlined in our Indian constitution took about two years and eleven months. Our Indian constitution finally went into force on January 26, 1950. The date of January 26th was selected since it was the day the Indian National Congress announced Indian independence in 1930, Purna Swaraj. Thus, Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian constitution, whereas Independence Day celebrates India’s independence from British rule. That way, if someone were to ask you, “When was the first Republic Day celebrated?” January 26, 1950, is the answer.

How is Republic Day Celebrated in India?

The Indian people celebrate the historic day of Happy Republic Day with tremendous pride and passion.

The Indian armed services organize a number of flag-hooping ceremonies and parades on this day. Across the nation, many schools host exceptional cultural events including parades, singing, dance, etc.

The most significant military parade, which perfectly combines our nation’s military prowess and rich cultural legacy, takes place on Rajpath in New Delhi. The Delhi Republic Day Parade is organized by the Ministry of Defence as a way to honour military personnel, civilians, and others who have shown courage in defense of their nation and to pay tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives in battle.

A collection of Indian regiments

Following this, a number of armed personnel, including police and National Cadet Corps home guards, marched along Rajpath to show their enthusiasm. The national song, several gun salutes, and the raising of the flag come next in the parade. The winners are given gallantry awards. The celebration concluded with daring bike rides and Indian Air Force airshows.

Republic Day 2024 Theme

This year, “India – Mother of Democracy” and “Viksit Bharat” are the main themes of Republic Day. These themes emphasize India’s path toward development and advancement and its prestigious status as a democratic nation.

Significance of Republic Day

Happy Republic Day honors the 26th of January, 1950, the day the Indian Constitution was adopted. August 15, 1947, marked the country’s independence from British administration. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired a drafting committee that was tasked with creating an independent national constitution. Today honors the sovereignty of independent and sovereign India as well as the democratic right of Indian citizens to choose their government. The nation celebrates this day as a national holiday in honor of the adoption of the Indian constitution.

January 26 is a federal holiday.

Cheers! India reserves January 26 for Republic Day, a national holiday honoring the country’s constitution’s adoption. On November 26, 1949, the Indian Constituency Assembly adopted the constitution, which went into effect on January 26, 1950, under a democratic system. Along with Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, which are observed on August 15 and October 2, respectively, it is one of the most significant national holidays in India.

All municipal, state, and federal government offices will be closed on January 26 due to the fact that it is a public holiday observed nationwide. Every other business establishment, including retail stores, has either closed or shortened its hours of operation.

Interesting Facts About the Constitution of India

Here are a few fascinating facts regarding the Indian Constitution you should be aware of:
With 117,369 handwritten words, the Indian Constitution is the largest constitution in the world.
The Indian Constitution has almost 2000 modifications to its name, and artists have embellished each page.
The constitution was signed by 238 members of the drafting committee in total.
The original copies of the constitution are stored with great care in Parliament House’s library, and the book contains one thousand photolithographic reproductions.
Having two citizenships is prohibited by the Indian constitution.
The constitution took over 4 years to draft.
The American constitution served as the model for the fundamental rights spelled out in our constitution.
The idea of Five was inspired by the USSR Year Plan

Summing Up

As you are now aware, the purpose of India’s Republic Day is to commemorate the creation and ratification of the Indian Constitution and to raise public awareness of the contributions made to its creation. The day highlights how crucial law and order are to a nation. It serves as a reminder that a nation cannot function, exist, or accomplish anything without a system of justice. We hope that Republic Day is enjoyed by all of you.