As we all know our country got freedom on August 15, 1947, from the cruel British regime after facing more than two hundred years of slavery and exploitation.
This freedom didn’t come our way so easily. We got it because of the supreme sacrifice our people made during the Indian freedom movement.
Many freedom movements and freedom fighters made this happen and free us from the shackles of slavery.
People of our generation didn’t see the time when our country was a colony of Britishers, so most of us are not aware of the extent of cruelty and oppression Indians faced during the British Raj.
And finally, many years of freedom struggle resulted in our Independence on August 15, 1947. This freedom came through the Indian Independence Act 1947 of the “Parliament of the United Kingdom”, which made two separate nations India and Pakistan.
This act was passed in July 1947, under which India was separated into two parts and Pakistan was formed. At that time George VI was the head of state and Earl Mountbatten was the governor-general.
Republic Day History
After receiving Independence there was the need for a proper and permanent constitution because even after independence, we were following the same British constitution that was the modified version of the (Colonial) Government of India Act 1935.
So a drafting committee was established under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on August 29, 1947, to draft the permanent constitution for our country.
This was a 7 member committee, consisting of Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N. Gopalaswami, K.M. Munshi, Mohammad Saadulla, B.L. Mitter, and D.P. Khaitan along with B.R. Ambedkar.
Dr. Ambedkar was invited by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, to serve as the first Law Minister of Independent India, as he had studied the constitution of over 60 countries and was a wise constitutional expert.
On November 4, 1947, the draft of the Constitution was submitted to the Constituent Assembly by the committee. The constitution did not come into effect so easily.
It took 166 days of assembly sessions which spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days before adopting the constitution on November 26, 1949. These assembly sessions were open to the public.
After various modifications, on January 24, 1950, the assembly comprising 308 members signed the two copies in English as well as Hindi.
On January 26, 1950, after two days of that, the constitution of Independent India came into effect. It took a total of Rs. 6.4 million to finish the process.
India was declared the Independent Republic and 26 January was declared as the Republic Day or Ganatantra Diwas of India. From that day onwards, we celebrate it every year on 26th Jan.
The constituent assembly became the Parliament of India under the provisions of the New Constitution.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru were declared the President and the Prime minister of the Republic of India, respectively.
Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar who played a crucial role in drafting our constitution throughout the whole process, is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
Republic Day or Ganatantra Diwas Significance
This day played a critical role and it is celebrated to mark the process of establishment of our constitution.
Just because of Our Constitution, today we have the right to choose our government through a democratic process.
It is celebrated throughout the country with zeal and enthusiasm. The constitution of our country empowers every citizen of the country to live life on his own but under constitutional boundaries.
Our constitution has a great role in the integration of India, and it doesn’t differentiate among the citizens of this country.
Every citizen of India has equal rights and its constitution was made on the basis of non-discrimination and equality, irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion, and culture.
Our big country of various languages, religions, ethnicities, and its wide variety of different cultures are unified under one constitution.
Republic Day or Ganatantra Diwas is celebrated to give tribute to those who made our constitution, after a long process and ensure equal rights to every citizen.
The basis of our constitution is secularism and equality. It comprises powers, duties, fundamental rights, and directive principles of the Government of India and every Indian citizen.
The basic principle of the Constitution of India is “Janta ka, Janta Ke Dwara, Janta Ke Liye” which means “of the people, for the people or by the people”.
How to Celebrate Republic Day in India?
Republic Day is celebrated with full excitement and enthusiasm around the country. Different types of programs and various competitions are organized throughout the country on this day.
This year, we will celebrate the 73rd Republic Day of the country. It is a National Holiday in India. The Flag Hoisting ceremonies take place in various public and private organizations, countrywide.
Republic Day parade, which took place in Rajpath Delhi, is the most fascinating way of celebration and center of attraction, organized every year on January 26 by the Ministry of Defense.
The celebration starts with the President unfurling the Tricolor. It lasts for three days. On this day, India showcases its military might to the rest of the world by displaying tanks, missiles, and other variety of defense equipment.
Our brave soldiers of the Armed forces from various Regiments Parade-march along Rajpath, which starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, and from there to Red Fort, and is broadcasted live on Television.
Along with the parade, beautifully decorated Tableaus of all states and union territories, depicting their culture are also represented and the best ones also receive awards.
Apart from this, many cultural events and various programs are organized by various organizations and schools and sweets are distributed to children.
Republic Date 2023 Guest Countries
Every year, India invites the Head of state of its friendly countries on its Republic Day, on January 26, to further strengthen the bond and bilateral relations with that country.
In 2021, India sent its invite to UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson but as the situation in both countries was not good due to the pandemic, he was not able to come to India.
In 2022, India sent the invitation to the Heads of the States of five Central Asian Countries to grace the celebration. These were Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
In 2023, Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah El-sisi has been invited to grace the celebration of Republic Day.
Central Asia plays an important role to keep India’s influence in Afghanistan. India also has a military airbase in Farkhor Town, Tajikistan.
Since 2014, PM Modi has visited all Central Asian countries as it is very important to India, both diplomatically and strategically.
India’s policy is to counter China’s influence in Central Asia and make a stronger bond with these countries.
It is a very well-calculated and appreciable diplomatic move to counter the influence of both China and Pakistan.
It depicts a very serious and strong foreign policy of India and will further improve India’s economic as well as cultural ties with these Central Asian countries.