75th Republic Day 2024:India will celebrate its 75th Republic day on 26th January, 2024.

History : Republic Day 2024

India achieved independence from the British Raj on 15 August 1947 following the success of the Indian independence movement. The independence came through the Indian Independence Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo 6 c 30), an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent Dominions of the British Commonwealth. India became a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and the Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. The country, though, did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935.

The British Raj extended over almost all present-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, except for small holdings by other European nations such as Goa and Pondicherry.This area is very diverse, containing the Himalayan mountains, fertile floodplains, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, a long coastline, tropical dry forests, arid uplands, and the Thar Desert.[20] In addition, at various times, it included Aden (from 1858 to 1937),[21]Lower Burma (from 1858 to 1937), Upper Burma (from 1886 to 1937), British Somaliland (briefly from 1884 to 1898), and the Straits Settlements (briefly from 1858 to 1867). Burma was separated from India and directly administered by the British Crown from 1937 until its independence in 1948. The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf and the other states under the Persian Gulf Residency were theoretically princely states as well as presidencies and provinces of British India until 1947 and used the rupee as their unit of currency

The roots of Republic Day can be traced back to the struggle for independence. The demand for a sovereign nation with its own constitution gained momentum during the freedom movement. The Constituent Assembly, under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, toiled to draft the Constitution, culminating in its adoption on January 26, 1950. On November 25, 1949, in his final speech to the Constituent Assembly, Dr Ambedkar remarked about the potential and pitfalls of life after January 26, 1950

Details

Drafting the Constitution was a herculean task. Dr B.R. Ambedkar took 2 years and 11 months to draft the Indian Constitution.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

India’s Constitution is the longest in the world. It has a total of 448 articles

Republic Day Celebrations: First republic day

The day on 26th January, 1950, when the first Republic Day of India was celebrated was Thursday.The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath (officially named ‘Kartavya Path’), before the President of India. On this day, ceremonious parades take place at the Kartvya path, which are performed as a tribute to India; its unity in diversity and rich cultural heritage

Here are some interesting facts about Republic Day:

  • Republic Day commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into effect as the country became a sovereign state after getting its Independence on August 15, 1947. 
  • The constitution replaced the British colonial Government of India Act (1935) as the country’s governing text.
  • The first President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad unfurled the national flag on January 26, 1950, marking the birth of the Indian Republic. The day was declared a national holiday after being recognised as the Republic Day of India.
  • In 1950, the inaugural Republic Day procession took place. Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, formerly known as the Irwin Amphitheatre, served as the venue. Over 100 aircraft and 3,000 Indian military men took part in the display.
  • Indonesian President Sukarno was the first chief guest of India’s first Republic Day parade. 

Highlight : Republic Day 2024

spacerAt the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

The themes for Republic Day in 2024 are “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and “India – Mother of Democracy

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