One of the most awaited national celebrations in the country is that of the Republic Day. This year we are going to celebrate our 73rd Republic Day. As the nation is already celebrating the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to mark the 75th Independence Day, this year the celebration will be grandeur and full of colours.
Special Attractions this year:
Although there will be curbs due to the third wave of COVID-19 the celebrations will be still joyous and utmost enthusiasm and following the SOPs.
- The celebrations begun on 23rd Jan with the PM unveiling a hologram statue of the brave Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate. The nation also witnessed the merging of the flames of National War Memorial and Amar Jawan Jyoti.
- The nation will witness a grand charm on Rajpath. Various kinds of renovations have been done on the Rajpath, red sandstone walkways, bridges, new sitting arrangements, plantation of nearly 4000 tress and increased camera survellieance.
- The special attraction of the parade are the tableaux from various states and ministries that leave everyone awestruck. This year, a total of 21 tableaux, 12 of various states and Union Territories and 9 of ministries will be showcased.
- Showcasing the evolution of the uniform and weapons through decades, 6 army contingents will be wearing different uniforms and carry different weapons that the army used. The Rajput regiment will wear the 1950s uniform, carrying the 0.303 rifle. The Assam contingent will carry the same weapon in 1960s uniform. The 4th and 5th contingents of the Sikh LI and Army Ordnance Corps will wear the existing uniform carrying the 5.56mm INSAS rifles.
- The tableau from the Indian Navy will take us all in the history. It will showcase the Naval uprising of 1946 that played an essential role in the Independence movement.
- One of the grandest moments this year will be a flypast by 75 aircrafts of the Indian Armed Forces. The different aircrafts will be Dakota, Dornier, Chinook, Mi-17, Advance Light Helicopters, Navy’s MiG-29k, P-81 and Jaguar, Rafale, Sukhoi and other top class aircrafts.
- India had invited the leaders of 5 Central Asian nations, Kazakstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyztan, as chief guests this year. But due to surge in Covid cases the leaders of these nations will not join.
- However, in a first, rickshaw drivers, construction workers, front line pandemic warriors, sanitation workers and Olympians will be special guests this year.
- The government has also launched the website for this year’s Republic Day. Along with a live and 360o view of the parade, the website will also host various events and competions.
History:
Republic Day is celebrated annually on the 26th of January to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, which came into force on this day in 1950. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and citizens are expected to abide by it.
India became an independent state on August 15, 1947 – a day inspired by Lord Mountbatten, as it was Japan’s second year of subjugation to power after World War II. After India gained independence, it did not have its own constitution. The laws were based on the common law system and the amended version of the “Government of India Act, 1935”, introduced by the British government. About two weeks later, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft the Constitution of India with Dr BR Ambedkar as its chairman. India’s constitution was finally prepared and adopted on November 26, 1949, known as “Constitution Day”. The Constitution came into effect two months later, on January 26, 1950.
Significance:
The Indian National Congress, on December 19, 1929, passed a historic resolution calling for ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or full independence in Lahore. It was announced by the INC that January 26, 1930, would be celebrated as ‘Independence Day’ by the Indians. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru raised a tricolor on the banks of the Rabi river in Lahore. This day was celebrated as Poorna Swaraj day for the next 17 years. Thus, when the Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949, many considered it necessary to celebrate and enforce the document on a date associated with national pride, which was January 26.
Comment and let us know which aspect of this year’s parade you liked the most.
Jai Hind!
