India Celebrates 73rd Republic Day: Key Highlights

By Anupam Kawde|Updated : January 28th, 2022

India showcased its military might and cultural diversity on the majestic Rajpath as it celebrates its 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday (January 26, 2022). An unprecedented security cover was put in place in the national capital ahead of the Republic Day parade, which was scheduled to start half an hour later than usual this year. 

Why is Republic Day celebrated?

  • Republic Day is a public holiday in India, when the country marks and celebrates the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India and thus, turning the nation into a newly formed republic.
  • The day also marks the transition of India from an autonomous Commonwealth realm with British Monarch as nominal head of the Indian Dominion, to a fully sovereign republic in the Commonwealth of Nations with the President of India as the nominal head of the Indian Union.
  • 26 January was chosen as the date for Republic Day because it was on this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) at the Lahore session of INC was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress in lieu of the Realm status as a Dominion later instated by the departing British Regime.

Republic Day Parade 2022

  • Republic Day Parade 2022 showcased India's military might and cultural diversity and many unique initiatives have been included to mark the celebration of the 75th year of Independence as part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
  • It has been decided that the Republic Day celebrations will now be week-long from January 23-30 every year. The celebrations will commence on January 23, the birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and culminate on January, 30 which is observed as Martyrs' Day.
  • 21 Gun Salute was presented by Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment following the unfurling of the national flag.

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  • Captured in the event, the first contingent 61 Cavalry, which is the only serving active Horse Cavalry Regiment in the world.

Republic Day tableaux

Highlights

From freedom struggle to biodiversity

  • A total of 24 tableaux were a part of the Republic Day parade, which included a dozen from the states and UTs, nine from departments of the Union Government and three from the Armed Forces and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The Navy’s tableau was the first to come down on Rajpath on a frigid Wednesday morning and depicted two main themes. First, the 1946 naval uprising, which was a part of the freedom struggle, and against the terrible conditions of the Indian sailors who were a part of the British Indian Navy and the second on the “atmanirbharta” of the Navy, with a model of the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, which will be commissioned later this year and named INS Vikrant.
  • The Air Force tableau paid homage to the victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War, with models of MiG 21, Gnat — both of which were used in the war — and the Light Combat Helicopters.

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  • DRDO showcased major weapon platforms developed by it, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and an Air Independent Propulsion system it is working on for the submarines.
  • The contingent of J&K Light Infantry (JAK LI), led by Maj Ritesh Tiwari of the 5th Battalion of JAK LI, marching down the Rajpath. The contingent was attired in the Indian Army Uniform of the 1970s and carried 7.62mm SLR. 

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  • From the states and UT, Meghalaya came out with its tableau first, showing the importance of women-led cooperative societies and self-help groups, with bamboo and cane handicrafts, as it celebrated its 50th year of statehood.
  • Gujarat highlighted the freedom movement, but through the role of the tribal population. It showcased the incident of the military killing around 1,200 people in March 1922 as Bhil tribes from Paal and Dadhvav villages had gathered to protest against the land revenue system under the leadership of Motilal Tejawat.
  • Goa showed symbols of its heritage and Haryana had a simplistic tableau with several sportsmen from the state on a “victory chariot” carrying the national flag.
  • Arunachal Pradesh depicted the four Anglo-Abor Wars between 1858 and 1912 during which the indigenous tribal people of the state, particularly the Adis from the Siang area, fought against the colonial expansion of the British.
  • Indian Navy tableau participated in the annual parade at Rajpath. The tableau was designed to showcase the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Navy and also to highlight key inductions under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. 

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  • Chhattisgarh portrayed the state’s Godhan Nyay Yojana for better use of rural resources.
  • Uttar Pradesh’ tableau showcased the One District One Product scheme of the government for the micro, small and medium enterprise industries and also the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi.
  • Seema Bhawani Motorcycle Team of BSF as well as Himveers of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) enthralled the viewers with extraordinary bike stunts.

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From the Central government:

  • The Education and Skill Development ministries -National Education Policy
  • The Civil Aviation Ministry -the UDAN scheme
  • Department of Posts-showed Indian post at 75 years of Indian Independence
  • Home Affairs- highlighted the valour and sacrifice of the CRPF
  • Central Public Works Department under Housing and Development Ministry -showed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
  • Department of Justice- highlighted the Lok Adalat and inclusive legal system
  • Department Drinking Water and Sanitation showcased the Har Ghar Nal under Jal Jeevan Mission,
  • Culture Ministry- highlighted 150 years of Aurobindo Ghosh.
  • BSF All-Women Biker Team Presents Thrilling Spectacle at Republic Day Parade:
  • During the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi, the Border Security Force's (BSF) Seema Bhawani Motorcycle team put up a stunning display, presenting a salutation to the President.
  • During the display, the team did a Border Women Salute under Command of Inspector Himanshu Sirohi.
  • Further, the group performed the ladder formation under the command of constable Sangeeta Kumari, and the five women balance was performed under the command of constable Sumita Sikdar with four other riders.

Some Interesting Facts:

  • Republic Day is celebrated on 26 January to mark the importance of "Purna Swaraj Diwas" (Declaration of Indian Independence Day) which was celebrated in 1930 by the Indian National Congress to oppose the colonial British rule in India.
  • The Constitution of India officially came into existence on 26th January 1950. The process of making it took two years, 11 months, and 17 days for 308 member Constituent Assembly to draft the historic and the most important document for the country that is the world's largest democracy right now.
  • Indian Constitution has two handwritten copies, one in Hindi and the other in English. Both are preserved in helium-filled cases in the Parliament of India.
  • To draft the Constitution to make India a "Democracy", no chance was spared to make the drafting process democratic. So, the members of the Constituent Assembly were elected by the 'Provincial Assembly' which was created after India's Independence in 1947. Each article and the topic was deliberated in detail and that's how it took almost three years to reach a final conclusion and making of the "World's Longest Written Constitution". It has 448 articles in 25 parts and 12 schedules, right now which at the time of implementation had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules.
  • On this day, with the Constitution coming into effect, Dr Rajendra Prasad began his first tenure as the President of “Democratic India” and the Constituent Assembly became the first parliament through the transitional provisions of the Constitution. The Constituent Assembly was headed by Dr Rajendra Prasad.
  • Dr BR Ambedkar was made the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. Dr Ambedkar is also known as "Architect of the Constitution of India" as he played a great role in making it possible for India to have a constitution that represents each community and person of the country. Ambedkar became the first Minister of Law and Justice of Independent India.
  • The first four Republic day parades, between 1950 to 1954, were held at different places in Delhi - Red Fort, Ramlila Grounds, Irwin Stadium and Kingsway.
  • Indonesian President Sukarno was the first Chief guest on the very first Republic Day parade of India.
  • India had its first Republic Day parade at Rajpath in 1955 and the first chief guest of the Rajpath parade was Malik Gulam Mohammed, who was the first Governor-General of Pakistan.
  • There was be no chief guest at the Republic Day parade on Janpath this year. Owing to escalating Covid situation in India and worldwide, the decision has been taken. It was for the second time since 2021, in over five decades that India has no chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

Source: IndianExpress,thenewsmen

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