Bharat, India, Hindustan and various names we call out this country of ours. The nation, our pride, our identity. After being a human, we are Indians before becoming anything else, such as caste, creed, religion. If you remember the dialogue from the movie BABY that goes something like– “Hum religion wale column mai bold aur capital mai Indian likhte hai”. All this Republic, secular, federal, democratic and republic life as a citizen is a boon given to us by our Constitution Of India.
What is this Constitution? Why we celebrate this day of January 26 as our Republic day? Why particularly this date? What is in the Constitution? Many such questions and might we all know the answers, yet there are some of us who don’t. Let’s together learn today about the REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA.
India attained its independence on August 15, 1947, as a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. The country, though, did not have a permanent constitution then; instead, its laws were based on the altered colonial Government of India Act 1935. On August 29, 1947, a resolution was moved for the appointment of the Drafting Committee.
Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr B R Ambedkar as chairman. While India’s Independence Day marks its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day commemorates the coming into force of its Constitution. A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and presented to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1947.
The Assembly met, in sessions open to the public, for 166 days, spread over a period of two years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many reflections and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly on January 24, 1950, signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English). Two days later, which was on January 26, 1950, it came into effect throughout the nation.
This also marked the first term of office of Dr Rajendra Prasad’s as the President of the Indian Union. The Constituent Assembly became the Parliament of India under the transitional provisions of the new Constitution. This date is observed in India as the Republic Day. Thus Republic day is the celebration in the name of the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India (IAST: Bhāratīya Saṃvidhāna) is the supreme law of India. The document lays down the core demarcating fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
Why January 26?
January 26 was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1929 when the Indian National Congress proclaimed the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) as opposed to the Dominion status offered by the British Regime.
WHAT’S in the celebration list THIS YEAR?
Just like every year this year, the same way celebration will be held on January 26. The parade will be conducted, and different groups representing their states will also be present there. This year marks the 71st Republic Day of India, and as this year is different as it is a decade year this time India’s chief guest will be Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro.
Having the difference in ideology with Brazilian President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi still invited him as to be the chief guest on this Republic Day to make up the relations between Brazil and India strong at economical, agriculture also at defence level. The promising path to look onto will be how this visit by Brazil’s President will bring a change in the relation of both the Nations as well as the Prime Minister of India and President of Brazil.
One thing as an Indian we all should promise on this day that we will abide by our Constitution. We will follow the fundamentals of our Constitution in every condition. We will comply with our Constitution and pledge the preamble that is
“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this 26th day of November 1949,
do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
