Many Kiwi Indians of the younger generations are not sure what India’s Republic Day, which falls on January 26 every year, stands for, why it is celebrated and how it is different from the August 15 Independence Day.
Even some of the dignitaries at last week’s function at Aotea Centre in Auckland (see coverage and pictures elsewhere in this issue), which marked the diamond jubilee of India’s becoming a republic, confused it with Independence Day with a couple making a reference to it as Independence Day.
Republic Day is Independent India's second most important national day after Independence Day. It is celebrated every year in the Indian capital, New Delhi, with great pomp and pageantry. It is celebrated with equal enthusiasm in the capital cities of India’s states, as well as at other headquarters and important places. Patriotic-minded people also observed the day in homes, housing colonies, schools, colleges and institutions.
India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947. At that point in time, it however did not have a permanent constitution. Its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935, and the country was a Dominion, with George VI as head of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General (in an arrangement quite akin to New Zealand’s relationship with England with the Governor General serving as the Crown’s representative).
On August 29, 1947, a committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with B.R. Ambedkar as chairman of what was called the Drafting Committee. A draft Constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on November 4, 1947.
After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on January 24, 1950.
Two days later, on January 26, the Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands. The Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950. Following elections on January 21, 1950, Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first president of India.
However, the Indian National Congress and other parties had been celebrating January 26th as a symbol of Independence, even before India became independent in 1947.
It was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress on the midnight of December 31, 1929 - January 1, 1930, that the Tri-Colour Flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge taken that every year on January 26, the "Republic Day" would be celebrated and that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic of India.
It is to commemorate this memory that signing the constitution took place on January 26, as a mark of respect to freedom fighters.
Indian Republic Day celebrations have now become world famous and attract thousands of people from all over to watch the parades and the creative cultural presentations and performances from artistic groups from all corners of India.
The most spectacular celebrations include the march past of the three armed Forces, other colourful parades, folk dances by tribal folk from the different states in picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India.
The tri-colour streaks of smoke described in the skies by the jet planes of the Indian Air Force marks the finale.
The President of India at New Delhi takes salute of the contingents of Armed Forces. In the States, the Governors take the salute, and in Taluqas and administrative headquarters on same procedure is adopted.
Beating of the Retreat
At Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, three days later (January 29), the bands of the Armed Forces "Beat the Retreat" in a majestic manner.
The beating of the retreat ceremony signifies the end of Republic Day festivities. It starts with the massed bands of the three services marching in unison, playing popular marching tunes like Colonel Bogey and Sons of the Brave.
The Fanfare then is followed by the bands marching forward in quick time, then breaking into slow time, then by the 'compound march' involving movements to form intricate and beautiful patterns. The military band, again, breaks into quick time and goes back to the farthest end of Raisina Hills.
Then the Pipes and Drums of the Indian Army play traditional Scottish tunes and Indian tunes like "Gurkha Brigade" and "Chaandni" . This band also does a compound march. The last bands to perform are the combined bands of the Navy and the Air Force. This part of the ceremony ends with their compound march.
The three band contingents march forward and take position close to the President's seat. The drummers give a solo performance (known as the Drummer's Call). A regular feature of this pageant is the last tune played before the Retreat. It is the famous Christian Hymn composed by William H Monk, Abide With Me.
This is followed by the bugle call for Retreat, and all the flags are slowly brought down. The band master then marches to the President and requests permission to take the bands away, and informs that the closing ceremony is now complete. The bands march back playing a popular martial tune Saare Jahan Se Achcha.
As soon as the bands cross Raisina Hills a spectacular illumination display is set up on the North and South Blocks of the Parliament building.
Heads of states from all over the world are invited as chief guests every year. This year’s chief guest was President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung bak.
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Referenced from Wikipedia and other Government of India sources