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| Celebrating the 66th Republic Day | | | Dr. Pragya Khanna | 1/25/2015 11:45:22 PM |
| On the occasion of the 66th Republic Day on 26th January 2015, I congratulate my fellow Indians. This is an important national event wherein Nation's military skill and feats in different fields, state-of-the-art defence platforms, its diverse cultural and social ethnicity, and the Government's emphasis on self-sufficiency and indigenization will be showcased before the public at the historic Rajpath. Along with India's showcase of its pride and glory, another highlight will be the US President Barack Hussein Obama who will see the festivities firsthand. He is the first U.S. leader India has invited to be the Chief Guest on this special event and the first president to visit India twice in his tenure.
It was on this day in 1950 that the constitution of India came into being and India became a truly Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state. 26th January was not chosen arbitrarily out of the calendar; however, it was on January 26 in 1927 that the Indian National Congress which was then fighting its non-violent war for independence had voted for absolute freedom and sovereignty as against the 'dominion status'. Later, the Tri-Color Flag was unfurled by the nationalists during the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December 31, 1929 - January 1, 1930 and a pledge was taken that every year on January 26, the "Independence Day" would be celebrated and that the people would unendingly struggle for the establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic of India. But interestingly India observed the real Independence Day on August 15 when the British actually left, ahead of the scheduled date and January 26 became the day when the Indian Constitution came into affect according her the status of a Republic.
It was on December 9, 1946 that the Indian Constituent Assembly convened and appointed a number of committees to account on the various aspects of the constitution. The Indian Constitution was finalized with 395 Articles and eight Schedules, and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, that is, after India gained independence in 1947 and freed herself from the British repression following a prolonged struggle for freedom. January 26 of the following year was designated as the day when India would at last emerge as a nation, complete with the lengthiest and the most detailed constitution in the world. With this, Republic Day became the most important day in the history of India. In fact, India had become a geographical entity on August 15, 1947, but it was on January 26, 1950 that it became a nation in the true sense, with a constitution and elected representatives of the people. King George VI acted as the head of our country for the period from 1947 to 1950 and C. Rajagopalachari served as the Governor-General of India during this period. Following January 26, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the president of India. On this day India finally enjoyed the freedom of spirit, rule of law and fundamental principle of governance. The patriotic enthusiasm of the Indians on this day brings the whole country together even in her entrenched diversity.
Every year Republic Day is celebrated splendidly in New Delhi, where great symbols of the country's martial valor and cultural wealth are exhibited in the form of a remarkable parade. Before the parade begins the Prime Minister of India leaves a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, in the honor of all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. The parade begins from the Raisena Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan, along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. The special regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force march past in all their ceremonial dresses and official decorations. The President of India, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, takes the salute, unfurls the National Flag and the National Anthem is played. The President is escorted by a noteworthy foreign Head of State who is the Chief Guest at the occasion. The military parade is trailed by a bright and vibrant cultural parade. India's rich cultural legacy is paraded with representation from different states. There is a portrayal of each state and its inimitable festivals, historical sites and art forms. The most applauded segment of the parade is the children who have won National Bravery Awards. They ride past the dais on elephants. Students from all over the country also take part in the parade. The parade also consists of displays of skilled motor-cyclists, generally by a group from one of the Armed Forces. The parade concludes by vivacious demonstrations and soarings with a flypast by Indian Air Force jets.
The day is also celebrated in all the state capitals, where the Governor of the state unfurls the national flag. In case the Governor of the state is in poor health, or is unavailable for some reason, then the Chief Minister of the state assumes the honor of unfurling the National Flag of India. Today the Republic Day celebrations of our country have beyond doubt become the world famed, portraying a wealth of tribal traditions and cultures with so many regional forms of dances and clothing. No other country in the world can display so many racially, culturally and ethnically different people in such spectacular uniforms as India's Armed Forces. However they are all united in their fidelity and devotion to the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and time-honored bravery.
Three days later that is on 29th January the factions of the Armed Forces "Beat the Retreat" in a magnificent style at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi.
Republic Day of India is a day of the citizen of the country as it the day of the conception of the constitution whose creation is a highly symbolic event of the aspirations which 'we the people of India' cherish. It accomplishes to secure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity and assure the dignity of the individual by conferring fundamental rights upon the citizen. With one blow, it eradicated all differences of class, status, creed, color and sex. It proscribed untouchability which was a repulsive societal practice that had produced inequity, discrimination and injustice in the society. It is the day when regional distinctiveness takes a backseat and what matters most is the universal appeal of unity and brotherhood projected by all Indians.
Modern India stands upon the idea that all its citizens are equal and that its leaders designate the will of not just a few but all of the diverse groups of people that make up this country. It is the coming together of so many different communities which lends strength to the country. In my opinion the power of India lies in its being able to connect together a vast and diverse populace into a common force. Any country in modern times which seeks to progress and develop must find ways of attracting and preserving the loyalty and patriotism of its citizens. India is the land of the martyrs who have enfolded the scaffolds for their principles, where every drop in the freedom fighter's blood has fought not for itself but for the nation.
It is at this point that the youth of our country need to be enlightened to establish the serenity and peace in the country which is often confronted by internal dilemmas and external hostility. It will not be off beam to state that we all probably memorize patriotism when there is an Indo-Pak cricket match or when terrorist strike attacks. The patriotism, feeling of devotion, fidelity and dedication needs to be rejuvenated and invigorated in every citizen of India. The diversity in the cultures should not be a cause for acrimony but a common man belonging to one religion must find another man of different religion as the very same, INDIAN. The modern idea of India is about equality and the transcendence of social barriers, not about narrow dividing walls. It is high time that we rethought and tried to create a land where the patriot or nationalist is the one who risks his life to defend and protect an unknown stranger, and the one who castigates even his acquaintance in the name of his country.
Today, India with a population of 1 billion is a great nation being the second largest producer of wheat in the world, the second largest producer of rice and the first in milk production. We are number one in remote sensing satellites and on the brink to leapfrog whole stages of industrial development. The country with 31 states, 1618 languages, 6400 castes, 6 religions and 29 major festivals possesses the biggest engine of growth in the booming InfoTech industry. From time to time a number of historians, writers, politicians and other eminent personalities across the globe have greatly appreciated India and its contribution to rest of the world. Although their annotations are only a partial reflection of the greatness of India, they certainly make us feel proud of our motherland.
Let us take a pledge to make our country more powerful and a stronger nation in the times to come. For me this would mean a country where scarcity of food and other basic amenities has been removed and no one goes to bed without a meal, that is, where the old catchphrase of roti, kapda aur makan (food, clothing and shelter) is a reality and no more a slogan. A nation that has tranquility, harmony and peace within itself and with its neighbors.
Where religion does not divide the people but binds them in love. Where all children from all classes, races and religions have the same opportunity to study and to learn so that talent stands out and unevenness and inequality is left behind.
I aspire to have an India that conserves all that is good about the past and is yet advanced, futuristic and modern. A society which is aware of its rights but cautious about performing its duties. A society which is though flourishing and affluent but, at the same time, is not the one in which a person's importance is judged by his wealth alone. An India which is free of communal conflict, an India free from the blight of illiteracy and malnutrition. A technologically strong India that can make use of science for the benefit of its people. Such an India can be created by giving top precedence to maintenance of law and order, preserving life and honor, making certain the availability of basic amenities and providing a corruption-free administration.
Dear citizens, it is only seldom that there is a moment in time like this when we as a nation stand unyielding on the solid fundamentals conscientiously established by our ancestors, and with patriotic delight in our hearts, look forward to the splendid path of endless possibilities that await India with open arms. Today India is on the edge to take flight into these open blue skies of triumph and excellence, and as faithful citizens of this country, it is our responsibility to make sure that we do not let this unprecedented moment in time go unutilized for the dream of an empowered, robust and prosperous India. It is a vision, a dream, an aim; as success must be the anthem of every nation's awakening. For our nation to ascend and assert its magnificent future, we must realize that it is us, and our billion hands that can shape it, and in the eternal words of Swami Vivekananda, I ask my fellow-citizens to "Arise, Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached". |
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