Omkar Dattatray
This year India is celebrating the 75th year of our republic day .India has become a democratic republic on 26th January 1950.The largest democracy of the world that is India is celebrating its republic day .On 26th January 1950 we have given to ourselves the constitution and have adopted the largest constitution of the world. The preamble of the constitution specifies the philosophy of our governance and it is the preamble of the constitution which guides the government as to how the governance will be carried on. .Constitution is the life line and guiding force of the country and it is the supreme document and all the three wings of the republic are subservient to it and they are bound to carry their work in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. The republic day has a significant and special importance for both the rulers and the ruled as governmental functioning is carried on in consonance with the constitutional provisions and the constitution is sacrosanct and all have to abide by the constitution .Nothing can be done in the country by the government as well as by the people which is ultra virus the constitution .However the constitution can be amended as prescribed in the constitution itself and the amendment cannot go against the letter and spirit of the constitutional provisions .The citizens of India are fortunate enough that we governed under the constitution which is flexible ,elastic and broad and contains the fundamental rights and duties .The preamble to the constitution of India presents the principles of the Constitution and indicates the sources of its authority .It was adopted on 26th November 1949 by the constituent assembly and came into effect on 26th January 1950 ,and is celebrated as the Republic Day of India .It was amended during the Indian emergency by Indira Gandhi where the words’ socialist’ ‘,secular ‘and integrity were added .The preamble starts as .we the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into sovereign ,socialist ,secular democratic republic and to secure to all its citizens-JUSTICE ,social ,economic and political ,LIBERTY of thought ,expression ,belief ,faith and worship ,EQUALITY of status and opportunity ,and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation .In our constituent assembly this twenty -sixth day of November ,1949,do hereby adopt ,enact and give to ourselves this constitution .However constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950 and thus republic day of India is celebrated on this day .January 26th is significant for the country’s political history as it is the day when the country formally adopted its constitution in 1950.So every year the anniversary of the Indian republic is celebrated by the country with great enthusiasm and fanfare .On this occasion the biggest function is held at Karatya Path where the president of the republic inspects the parade and salutes the national flag .A big march pass is performed by the army ,Navy and air force and besides this BSF ,CRPF ,CISF ,Home guards ,NCC Cadets and the school children perform march pass and salute the national flag .Republic day is also celebrated at all the state capitals and at the capitals of the UT’s .Besides this ,the republic day is also celebrated at the district ,tehsil ,block headquarters. It is also celebrated by the different political parties in their own way .It follows that the republic day is celebrated throughout the country with great pomp and show .On this occasion the prowess and strength of the nation is demonstrated by putting up the models of the current weapons and by showcasing the tanks and supersonic jets .Not only the military prowess is on display on the eve of the republic day but Jankis of different states and cultural functions on this day is a great attraction for the people .At the evening the Rashtrapati bhawan is decorated with the lights and candles are also lit in the government buildings and offices as a mark of respect and for celebrating the republic day .Every year a foreign dignity is invited to attend the republic day celebrations .Indian constitution holds greatest authority and the republic day is celebrated to remember and honor the day when the constitution was formally adopted .This year’s chief guest on the republic day is the French President Emmanuel Macron .This is the 75th republic day .The fervor of the republic day is seen across the country .In the national capital Delhi and in all other states of India ,the preparations for celebrating the republic day is in full swing .The Indian invitation to be the chief guest on the occasion of the republic day has not only been accepted by the French President Macron but he expressed joy over the invitation .Trough this invitation the friendship between India and France will go to new heights .President Macron will be the sixth such leader of the France who was given this honor of being the chief guest on the occasion of the republic day .On this historic occasion of the republic day ,the parade marches from the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the Kartvya Path to India Gate and from there to Red Fort .It opens with the unfurling of the national flag by the president of India .Since the first Republic Day parade in 1950,it has been the president who takes the salute and it continues to this day and will continue in future as well .Whereas Republic Day marks the formal adoption of the Indian constitution and on this eve the president of India unfurls the National Flag at the Kratavya Path (formerly Rajpath) .In the ceremony the tricolor is tied as a bundle with the flowers on the top of the flagpole and is unfurled by the president .On 26th January ,India is celebrating the 75th republic day .It is the day it achieved the Purn Swaraj-complete freedom and is identified as the Republic Day of India .Two years after attending freedom ,India’s constitution came into force on this day .The day is celebrated with grandeur with synchronized parades by the armed forces ,with colorful tableaus representing different states and display of missiles .The Army ,Navy and the Air force display exceptional performances on the day .Apart from the style of celebrations, there is a major difference in ceremonies associated with the day .On Republic Day ,the national flag is unfurled rather than hoisted .Republic day is very important day for India ,which is celebrated every year on January 26th.This day is special because on this day India became a republic .Republic day is celebrated on 26th January to commemorate the adoption and enforcement of the constitution .This day is special because in 1950 ,on this day ,India’s constitution was implemented .This day celebrates India’s long journey from colonial rule to becoming an independent republic .In fact Republic day is the day when the republic of India marks and celebrates the date on which the constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950.On this special and important occasion let us resolve to perform our allotted duties and do our works and also work for the end of corruption ,social evils and militancy .Long live Indian republic and democracy.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).