Republic Day

History


Republic Day commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the GOI Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950.
The 26th of January was chosen to honour the memory of the '' Declaration of Independence '' of 1930.
The Purna Swaraj declaration, or Declaration of the Independence of India was promulgated by the Indian National Congress on Jan 26, 1930, resolving the Congress and Indian nationalists to fight for Purna Swaraj or complete self-rule independent of the British Empire.
A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands. 






Celebrations


To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion.
The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country.






Chief Guest


Since 1950, India has been hosting head of state or government of another country as the state guest of honour for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.France has the distinction of being the guest of honour for the maximum (four) number of times followed by three visits each from Bhutan,Mauritius and USSR/Russia.






Current Year (Jan 26,2012)

The Google doodle commemorating India's 63rd Republic shows National Bravery Award winning children riding on the backs of decorated elephants, quite like the actual parade on Rajpath, New Delhi. The Google logo appears as a rangoli-like motif in the background

 



India Celebrates its 63rd Republic Day and the Chief Guest of Honour is PM Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Army Chief Gen VK Singh, Navy Chief Nirmal Verma and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal paying homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti

After the customary 21-gun salute and unfurling of the national tricolour, President Patil presented Ashok Chakra - the highest peacetime gallantry award - posthumously to Lieutenant Navdeep Singh who died foiling an infiltration attempt by Pakistan-based terrorists along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Subedar Major, Honorary Lieutenant(retd) Joginder Singh receives Ashok Chakra (posthumously) from President Pratibha Patil on behalf of his son Lt. Navdeep Singh 

Subedar Major, Honorary Lieutenant(retd) Joginder Singh receives Ashok Chakra (posthumously) from President Pratibha Patil on behalf of his son Lt. Navdeep Singh 

4 Mi-17 helicopters zoomed in from skies on the western side showering flower petals on thousands of spectators, signalling the start of the impressive parade followed by winners of Param Vir Chakra, highest war-time gallantry award, and Ashok Chakra and mounted columns of 61 Cavalry.

Sneha Shekhawat from Sikar in Rajasthan created history when she led the Air Force contingent at the 63rd Republic Day parade becoming the first woman pilot to do so.Flight Lieutenant Shekhawat was assisted by three other women Flying Officers Heena Pore, Anupam Chaudhary and Pooja Negi as the 144-strong Air Force contingent marched to the tunes of 'Air Battle'.

As the country's armed and police forces demonstrated their might, states and different departments put up an impressive show when they showcased their rich cultural diversity in full display in 23 tableaux - 13 from states and ten from ministries

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Agni IV Missiles are displayed during the Republic Day Parade