When Does India Celebrate Republic Day?
Republic Day in India falls on January 26 every year.
What is the Meaning of Republic Day in India?
Republic Day marks India's adoption of a republic constitution on January 26, 1950, after gaining of independence from British rule in 1947. Understandably, this makes it an occasion that's close to the hearts of all Indians. Republic Day is one of three national holidays in India.
The other two are Independence Day (August 15) and Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday (October 2).
What Happens on Republic Day?
Celebrations take place on a grand scale in Delhi, India's capital city. Traditionally, the highlight is the Republic Day Parade. It features contingents and displays from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The parade also includes colorful floats from each of India's states. Smaller parades are held in each state as well.
Before the parade starts, the Prime Minister of India places a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial at India Gate, in memory of those soldiers who lost their lives in war. This is followed by two minutes silence.
Indians love a good party, so many people and housing societies organize individual celebrations. These often consist of fairs and talent contests. Patriotic songs are played through loud speakers all day.
The Republic Day Parade is followed up with a Beating the Retreat ceremony on January 29. It features performances by bands of the three wings of the Indian military -- the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The Republic Day Chief Guest
As a symbolic gesture, the Indian government invites a chief guest to attend official Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.
The guest is always a head of state or government from a country that's selected based on strategic, economic and political interests.
The inaugural chief guest, in 1950, was Indonesian President Sukarno.
In 2015, US President Barack Obama became the first US President to be the chief guest at Republic Day. The invitation reflected closer relations between India and the US, and an era of "new trust" between the two countries.
The crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, was the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in 2017. Although he may seem like an odd choice, there were a number of underlying reasons for the invitation such as infrastructure investment, trade, geopolitics, and deepening of relations with the United Arab Emirates to help thwart terrorism from Pakistan.
In 2018, the leaders of all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries will be chief guests at the Republic Day Parade. This includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. It will be the first time that so many heads of government and state will attend the parade together. In addition, there have only been two Republic Day parades in the past (in 1968 and 1974) that have had more than one chief guest.
ASEAN is central to India's Act East Policy, and both Singapore and Vietnam are important pillars of it.
A Special Military Republic Day Tour
MESCO (Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation Limited) is offering a special opportunity to see the Republic Day Parade and Beating the Retreat ceremony accompanied by ex-servicemen of the defence forces. You'll also get to visit some of Delhi's top attractions on the tour. The revenue generated from the tour is used to look after the welfare of ex-servicemen, war widows, physically disabled soldiers and their dependents. More information is available from the Veer Yatra website.
Interesting Facts About Republic Day
- Doctor Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first President of India on Republic Day in 1950. Prior to this, India's head of state was an appointed Governor-General.
- Although the first Republic Day Parade was held in 1950, Rajpath (earlier known as Kingsway) didn't become the parade's permanent venue until 1955. Before then, the parade was held at Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium), the Red Fort, and the Ramlila grounds.
- The "Royal" prefix was dropped from the Indian Air Force on Republic Day in 1950. More than 100 aircraft participated in the first parade. Nowadays, the number has decreased to just over 30.
- India adopted its national animal, the lion head from the Ashoka Pillar in Sarnath, on Republic Day in 1950. The peacock was subsequently declared as the national bird on Republic Day in 1963.
Republic Day is a "Dry Day"
Those who'd like to have an alcoholic toast to celebrate Republic Day should note that it's a dry day across India. This means that shops and bars, except for those in five star hotels, won't be selling alcohol. It's usually still readily available in Goa though.
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