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Date 26 January 1950. Time 10.18 am. This was the historic moment when the country’s first Indian Governor General Chakravarti Rajagopalachari declared India a sovereign democratic republic. In the year 1947, India became independent from the slavery of the British. At the same time, after the implementation of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950, India became a republic state. Republic means a state which is ruled by the elected representatives of the citizens.
On this date, Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India in the Durbar Hall of the then Government House and today’s Rashtrapati Bhavan. After this, his convoy passed through Connaught Place and its nearby areas and reached Irwin Stadium at around quarter to four. Irwin Stadium is now known as Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. It was here that India’s first republic ceremony took place. Let us know the 5 big things of that day.
Ceremony at Irwin Stadium
Presently the parade passes through Rajpath, India Gate and reaches Red Fort. But till 1954, Republic Day celebrations were organized at different places. For the first time the event was held in Irwin Stadium. In the following years, Republic Day was organized at Kingsway (Rajpath), Red Fort and Ramlila Maidan. Since 1955, Republic Day celebrations are being held every year on Rajpath (Duty Path).
story of royal carriage
The President of India arrived in a royal carriage at the Republic Day celebrations of 1950. There was a lot of debate between India and Pakistan regarding this buggy. Actually, this buggy used to belong to the British representative Lord Mountbatten. When India and Pakistan were divided, the question arose as to whom the wagon would go. When no solution was visible the decision was left to fate. What happened was that an officer suggested that a coin should be tossed to decide which country the royal carriage would belong to. Commander-Major Yakub Khan was called from Pakistan’s side and Commander-Major Govind Singh from India’s side. Luck was on India’s side and the coin fell in India’s favour. In this way that buggy became the vehicle of the President of India.
By tossing a coin it was decided which country the royal carriage would belong to.
31 gun salute
The tradition of gun salute with the national anthem on Republic Day has been going on since the beginning. At present, a 21-gun salute is given from the beginning to the end of the national anthem. This salute is a way of giving state honours. According to reports, the President of India was given a 31-gun salute on the first Republic Day. At that time 31 guns were considered the royal salute. Later this number became 21.
Who was the chief guest?
The chief guest on the first Republic Day was Sukarno, the then President of Indonesia. The chief guest is chosen after considering many points. Being the chief guest of India on Republic Day is considered the highest equal. The chief guest is given a 21-gun salute. He is given a guard of honor in front of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President also organizes a special reception for him in the evening.
The then President of Indonesia became the chief guest. (@INCIndia)
enthusiasm of soldiers
Nowadays the parade takes place in the morning. However, the first parade took place in the evening. It is said that a crowd of 15 thousand people had gathered to watch the parade. Three thousand Indian military personnel and more than 100 aircraft participated in this parade. All three forces of the armed forces were part of it. Apart from the Navy, Infantry, Cavalry Regiment, Services Regiment, seven bands of the Army also participated in the parade.
Why do we celebrate republic day: Why was 26 January chosen as Republic Day? Why was the Indian Constitution implemented after a delay of two months? Who and where hoists the flag on this day? Apart from tableaus, what else happens on this day? Let us know the answers to all these questions today.
Preparations for India’s 75th Republic Day are going on in full swing. This is one of the most important national celebrations of the country. At this time, the feeling of enthusiasm, zeal and patriotism is strong among the citizens. A large number of people reach Rajpath to watch the parade. The parade starts from Raisina Hills and passes through Rajpath, India Gate and reaches Red Fort. Republic Day is celebrated with enthusiasm across the country. Many citizens are unaware of the history and important things of this day.
After all, why was January 26 chosen as Republic Day? Why was the Indian Constitution implemented after a delay of two months? Who hoists the national flag on Republic Day and where? How different is the method of hoisting the flag from the flag hoisting on 15th August? Let us know the answers to all these questions today.
Why was January 26 the date chosen?
India got the status of an independent nation on August 15, 1947. However, almost three years later, on January 26, 1950, India declared itself a sovereign, democratic and republican state with the adoption of the Constitution. Since then this day is celebrated as Republic Day. There is a story behind choosing the date of January 26.
The Indian National Congress had passed the historic ‘Purna Swaraj’ (complete independence) resolution in the Lahore session in December 1929. In this context, Independence Day was celebrated for the first time on 26 January 1930. After gaining independence, 15 August 1947 was officially declared Independence Day. To maintain the importance of the date of 26 January, the Constitution was implemented on this day in the year 1950, after which 26 January was declared Republic Day.
Why was the Constitution implemented two months late?
The Constituent Assembly was formed to make the constitution of the country. There were a total of 22 committees in this. Among these, the Drafting Committee was the most important committee, whose job was to prepare the entire Constitution. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee. After two years, 11 months and 18 days of hard work, the world’s largest written constitution was prepared. Dr. Ambedkar handed over the Indian Constitution to the President of the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 26 November 1949. But there was a delay of two months in implementing it. It is argued that to maintain the importance of the declaration of ‘Complete Swaraj’ of 26 January, the Constitution was implemented two months later. In this way, the first Republic Day was celebrated on 26 January 1950 instead of 26 November 1949. Since 2015, the government has decided to celebrate Constitution Day on 26 November to promote constitutional values among the citizens.
Where and who hoists the flag?
After India was declared a sovereign democratic republic in 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India in the Durbar Hall of Government House. After this his convoy covered a five-mile route to Irwin Stadium, where he hoisted the national flag. The President took the salute of the parade by hoisting the flag. This day was later declared a national holiday. If we look at the Constitution, the President is the constitutional head of the Government of India. For this reason, the tricolor is hoisted on the Rajpath by the President of India on Republic Day.
Is there a difference in hoisting the flag?
The Indian tricolor is hoisted on both 26 January and 15 August. But there is a big difference in their methods. While flag hoisting is done on 15th August, flag unfurling is done on 26th January. These are two different things and their processes are also different.
On 15 August, the tricolor is pulled up and then hoisted. This is called flag hoisting. At the same time, the national flag remains tied above on Republic Day. It is simply hoisted. This is called hoisting the flag.
What is the schedule for the whole day?
The program begins with the Prime Minister of India offering floral tributes to the martyrs of the country. After this, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries reach the duty path to view the parade. As per tradition, the President of India hoists the national flag followed by the national anthem followed by a 21-gun salute. The parade starts with the President taking the salute. The Republic Day parade is a unique blend of the country’s military might and cultural diversity. Apart from the display of advanced weapons of the armed forces, tableaus of various states and ministries are brought out. Apart from this, a breath-taking air show is shown by the planes and helicopters of the Indian Air Force in the fly past.
