India coming from the harsh years of struggles achieved her Independence from the British Raj on August 15, 1947. An act called the Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed through the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which granted India its independence but as a constitutional monarchy under George VI as the head of the state and Earl Mountbatten as the governor-general of India. This was so as newly Independent India does not yet have a permanent constitution. It was governed by the modified version of the Government of India Act 1935. Fourteen days after the Independence on August 29, 1947, a resolution was moved for the establishment of a Drafting Committee with Dr. BR Ambedkar as its chairman, with the task to crown Independent India with her own permanent constitution. Moving with the time, the assembly met in sessions which were open to the public, studied constitutions of countries around the globe, debated, and brought the preamble to the Constitution of India on 26th November 1949. Moving ahead and after the long researched time of two years, eleven months and eighteen days, the draft for the Constitution of India was brought which after being signed by 308 members of the Assembly became our constitution on January 24, 1950 and the Constituent Assembly became the Parliament of India. However, the Constitution of India was made to come into effect two days later on 26 January 1950, to coincide with the day of the declaration of Purna Swaraj in 1930.
Thus on this day in 1950, Dominion India quashed The Colonial Government of India Act 1935 and the Indian Independence Act 1947 of the British and now, the Republic of India began to be governed by her own set of rules, that is, the constitution.
The constitution of India or the Bharatiya Samvidhan is the supreme law of India. The longest written constitution ever written, imparts constitutional supremacy to India. That is, it does not grant parliament to override the constitution. The constitution covering diverse subjects, primarily declare India as Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic and assures its citizens Justice, Equality, Liberty and endeavours to promote fraternity. To add up in general knowledge, The Original hand written copy of the Constitution is preserved in a Helium filled case at the Parliament House in New Delhi.
As this day grants The President as the head of the state, therefore the celebrations of Republic day is held on Rajpath, New Delhi, before the President of India. Delhi bidding farewell to the winters is decorated beautifully for the celebration. As per the protocols established, the Prime Minister of India pays tribute to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. Then the President escorted by the cavalry reaches the Rajpath to hoist the National Flag followed by the National Anthem. Awards like Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Vir Chakra are then presented to the brave soldiers. Soon after, the parade conducted by the President and arranged by the Ministry of Defence hits the Rajpath. Parade is lead by the winners of gallantry award saluting the President. It is then followed by the March past of armed forces, police, home guards and the national cadet corps. President being the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed forces takes the salute. Parade is then followed by vibrant tableaux and cultural dances from various states and ministries. The republic day parade is concluded by the flypast of Indian Airport fighter jets over the Rajpath. The President’s bodyguard then escort the President back to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. As per the protocol no one is allowed to leave the ceremony before the exit of the President.
The Celebrations of the Republic day ends after four days, terminating in Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29 at Vijay Chowk. The chief guest of the function is the President of India who arrives in a cavalry unit escorted by the ‘President’s Body Guard’ (PBG). After the arrival of the President, PBG commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the National Anthem by the massed band and unfurling of the National Flag. The bands of various units of army, navy and air force play diverse Indian tunes. At exactly 6 PM the National flag is lowered, bringing celebrations to a formal end.
This year, the parade would be a little different. Indian Airforce is making the biggest flypast this year. Due to fog conditions the celebration this year will start from 10:30 AM instead to 10 as done previously. After merging of the flames of Amar Jawan Jyoti and National War Memorial, a bit different would be seen in paying of tribute by Prime Minister at Amar Jawan Jyoti. With Covid in action, the number of attendees have been reduced to 5000-6000, and there would be no foreign Chief Guest for the parade. This year by the instructions of the Prime Minister, the grand parade would be witnessed by those who don’t get chance to visit there, like rickshaw pullers, roadside venders etc. The beating retreat ceremony this year would be huge. It would be marked with the 1000 drones making patterns and symmetry along with the laser shows.
May the Republic of India always shine.
Jay Hind.
Article by: Sumit Yadav