Republic Day 2022: Know The History And Significance Of January 26, why the day is celebrated and all you need to know

 

Republic Day 2022: Know The History And Significance Of January 26, why the day is celebrated and all you need to know

While India's Independence Day celebrates the country's freedom from British Rule, Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the country's constitution in 1950.

Happy Republic Day 2022: India marks January 26 as its Republic Day every year. In 2022, the country is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day. While India gained independence from the British Raj in 1947, it wasn't until January 26, 1950, that the Indian Constitution came into effect, and India became a sovereign state, declaring it a republic. Dr. BR Ambedkar headed the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. Additionally, Constitution Day is celebrated in India on November 26 every year, as on November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India.

Republic Day 2022: History

While our Independence Day celebrates freedom from British Rule, Republic Day commemorates the constitution coming into force. January 26 was the chosen date since it was on this day in 1929 that the Indian National Congress issued the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj), opposing the British Regime's Dominion status.

On August 15, 1947, India achieved independence. A committee was created a few days later, on August 29, to draft a permanent constitution for independent India. Dr. BR Ambedkar was made chairman of the committee. On November 4, 1947, the committee drafted the constitution and submitted it to the Constituent Assembly. The Assembly met in numerous sessions for nearly two years before finally adopting the Constitution. On January 24, 1950, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two handwritten versions of the agreement -- one in Hindi and one in English -- after much deliberation and a few changes.

The constitution came into effect two days later, on January 26, 1950. Dr. Rajendra Prasad began his first tenure as President of the Indian Union on that day.

Republic Day 2022: Significance

Republic Day commemorates the spirit of independent and individual India. It was on this day in 1930 when the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj, the declaration of India's independence from colonial rule. The day also commemorates Indian citizens' power to choose their government democratically. The nation celebrates this day as the national holiday for the establishment of the Indian Constitution.

Things to Know About Republic Day

1) Between 1950 and 1954, the Republic Day parade was held at Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium), Kingsway, Red Fort, and Ramlila grounds.

2) Republic Day celebrations have been held at Rajpath since 1955. Rajpath was once known as the Kingsway, in honor of India's then emperor, George V. The road was renamed Rajpath after independence, which also means King's Way in Hindi.

3) Every year, the leader of a particular nation is invited to be the chief guest for the Republic Day parade. President Sukarno of Indonesia was the first to attend India's Republic Day celebrations as chief guest in 1950.

4) The parade starts after the arrival of the President of India. The President's cavalier bodyguards salute the National Flag first. The National Anthem is played, followed by a 21-gun salute. The firing is, however, not done using 21 canons. It is done with seven canons of the Indian army known as '25-Ponders' that fire three rounds each.

5) Each member of the army who takes part in the march must go through four layers of investigation. Aside from that, their arms are extensively inspected to ensure they are not carrying live bullets.