Significance of Republic Day

What is the Significance of Republic Day in India?
Since 1950, every year January 26 is celebrated as Republic Day in India. It was on this day in 1950 that the Indian Constitution came into existence. An interesting point to note here is that India got independence on August 15, 1947, from British rule, which is celebrated as the Independence Day of India. However, it was on November 26, 1949, that the Indian Constitution was first adopted. But the integration of this big nation and unifying the wide variety of cultural diversities was not done until January 26, 1950, i.e., when the Indian Constitution came into effect.

images source India Legal
The constitution of India is a huge document that lays down procedures, powers, duties, fundamental rights, and directive principles of the Government of India & Indian citizens. The governing principle of the Indian Constitution is “of the people, for the people and by the people”, which signifies that the power is vested in the hands of the citizens of India. Republic Day marks the celebration of the empowerment of Indian citizens to select their own government. It is a national holiday that commemorates the process of the establishment of the Indian Constitution.

Some Amazing Facts About The Republic Day Parade
1. As we all know every year, the organization of the parade on 26th January is done at Rajpath situated in New Delhi, but do you know that Rajpath was not the organizing center for the parade from 1950 to 1954?  During these years, the 26th January parade was held at Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium), Kingsway, Red Fort, and Ramleela Maidan respectively.

Rajpath became the permanent venue for the parade of 26th January since AD 1955. Rajpath was known by the name ‘Kingsway’ at that time.

image source The Quint
2. The parade event on 26th January begins with the arrival of the President. First of all, the cavalier bodyguards of the President salute the National Flag, and during this time, the National Anthem is played and 21 Guns Salute is also given.

But do you know that firing is not done with 21 canons? Instead, 7- cannons of the Indian army, which are known as “25- Ponders” are used for the firing in 3 rounds.

3. All the participants of the parade get ready by 2 AM and arrive at the Rajpath by 3 AM. But the preparations for the parade begin in July of the previous year when all the participants are formally informed about their participation. The participants have already practiced for 600 hours before performing on the 26th of January formally.

4. For rehearsal for the parade of 26th January, each group covers the distance of 12 Kilometres but on the day of 26th January they cover the distance of 9 Kilometres only. Judges are seated all through the way of the parade, who judge every participating group based on 200 parameters, and based on this judgment, the “best marching group” title is awarded.

image source the Indian express
5. Each army personnel who participates in the event of the parade has to pass through 4 levels of investigation. Besides this, their arms are thoroughly checked to ensure that their arms are not loaded with live bullets.

6. The song “Abide with me” is played at every Republic Day parade event as it was the favorite song of Mahatma Gandhi.

image source the Quint
7. According to information obtained through RTI, the expenditure of about 320 crore rupees was incurred in the parade event held in the 2014 parade. In 2001, this expenditure was about 145 crores. In this manner, the expenditure made on the 26th January parade has increased by 54.51% from 2001 to 2014.