Every year, on 26th January, India celebrates the Republic Day. We buy patriotic accessories for cars and desks, we dress up in traditional attire, wish everyone on WhatsApp and some of us wake up early on the holiday to watch the Republic Day parade on television. The colourful floats and the army acrobatics are interesting every year. Especially, this year with an all women squad performing acrobatics.
But why do we celebrate the Republic Day? And what does it mean?
When it was decided that the British would finally leave India, the task came upon the national leaders to decide how India would be governed, who would rule and how? That is when a Constituent Assembly was formed, which met for the first time on 9th December 1946. Different national leaders were selected for different posts. And the Assembly began the gigantic task of writing India’s Constitution, the primary rule book that would decide India’s political structure.
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They read many laws and constitutions from other countries. They also took what was good from colonial legislation. And thus, was formed, one of the most detailed, and the longest constitution of the modern world.
India was given an identity, and breath was infused into the nation. It became a living body. This Constitution was adopted by the leaders on the behalf of the citizens on 26th November 1949. It was decided it would come into force on 26th January 1950. And that is the day when we celebrate our nationhood.
The national leaders selected 26th January because it was on this day in 1930 that for the first time Indians made the demand of Purna Swaraj, complete independence from the British.
And it is called a Republic Day because the leaders had decided that India would be a Republic, meaning the people would elect the government. It would not be a monarchy with kings and queens. But a government of the people.
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Hence, we invite world leaders, and parade our diversity to show that we are a modern democracy. This time there is going to be a huge delegation on the podium with Modi, as all ASEAN heads of state have been invited to the R’Day celebrations.
As the nation gears for the celebrations of Republic Day, we know that however we may show our patriotism, India will remain at a place of pride as the world’s largest and thriving democracy.
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