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Fifty one years ago, on January 26th 1950, the Indian Constitution came into effect. Since then, the Indian Union and the Indian Community worldwide celebrate "Republic Day " on January 26, every year.
It was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December 31, 1929 - January 1, 1930, that the tri-color flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge taken that every year on January 26, the "Republic Day" would be celebrated and that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic of India. The professed pledge was successfully redeemed on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India was framed by the Constituent Assembly of India which came into force, although the Independence from the British rule was achieved on August 15,1947.
It is because of this that August 15 is celebrated as Independence Day, while January 26 as Republic Day.
A Constituent Assembly was formed with 389 members (292 elected members, 93 nominated members from independent princely states, and 4 provincial representatives of Chief Commissioners' Provinces). The Assembly started its work on December 9, 1946. Prominent leaders and members involved in drafting the Constitution were Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, B. R. Ambedkar, Alladi Krishnaswami Aiyer, N. Gopalaswamy Ayyengar, T. T. Krishnamachari and so on. The Indian Constitution has 395 articles, grouped into 22 parts with 12 schedules appended to it.
In the Indian Union, the Constitution is supreme and the courts are vested with the power to adjudicate the validity of laws based on the Constitution. However, the Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution. The Constitution has been amended 78 times by 1995! However, the Constitution is still in need of reform and modification in light of the new urges and aspirations of people.
According to Article 1 of the Indian Constitution, Bharat, or India, is a Union of States. When the Indian Union was formed from the British India, several independent kingdoms like Hyderabad, Kashmir and several independent principalities joined the Union, preferring a secular democracy. The borders of various states were redrawn based upon the linguistic nationalities of the people. Currently, the Indian Union consists of 7 Union Territories and 25 states that represent individual nationalities, with their Independent State assemblies elected by the people to rule and make laws in their national languages for the people of each nationality in the Union. This is a unique example in the entire history of mankind where so many diverse nationalities came together and reorganized their borders without violence to form a Union. Thus, the Indian Union may be compared to the modern European Union.
Republic Day is India's great national festival. It is celebrated every year on January 26, in New Delhi with great pomp and pageant and in capitals of the States, municipal corporations, panchayats, schools, colleges, institutions as well as at other headquarters and important places with patriotic fervor.
The most spectacular celebrations include the march past of the three armed Forces, massive parades, folk dances by tribal folk from the different states in picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India. Another exciting part in the parade is the “Zhanki’s” which is a spectacular display of each state respectively depicting their culture, tradition and costumes. The best Zhanki’s are awarded prizes. Further, the streak of jet planes of Indian Air Force, leaving a trial of colored smoke, marks the end of the festival. The trees on both sides of the routes and the lawns become alive with spectators. The President of India at New Delhi, on this most colorful day, takes salute of the contingents of Armed Forces. In the States, the Governors take the salute. At Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, three days later (i.e. 29th January) the massed bands of the Armed Forces "Beat the Retreat" in a majestic manner. The Republic Day celebrations have rightly become world famous as one of the greatest shows on earth drawing thousands of people from all over the country and many parts of the world. No other country can draw on such a wealth of tribal traditions and cultures, so many regional forms of dances and dress. And, no other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in splendid uniforms as India's Armed Forces. But they are all united in their proven loyalty to the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry.
Republic Day is also the time when exemplary achievements are recognized and rewarded throughout the country. Selected children are awarded the Children's Bravery Awards on this day. Soldiers who have performed exceptionally are awarded the bravery medals, Param Veer Chakra, Veer Chakra and Maha Veer Chakra.
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