Republic
Day
India earned its independence from the
British on the 15/8/47. But the British army left India
ultimately in 1950. 26/1/1950 is celebration as the Republic
Day of India. On this day the Indian constitution was
adopted. On Republic Day regional identity gives way to
national identity. Neither caste, creed nor religion matter.
What is predominant is the Indianness of the people.
Two events are associated with India’s
freedom from colonial rule. One is Independence Day (15th
August) and the other, Republic Day (26th January). The
former is a historical even when India gained independence
in 1947 and freed herself from the foreign yoke after
a protracted campaign for freedom, whereas the latter
bestowed historicity on the day when India became a Sovereign
Democratic Republic with a constitution to guide her destiny.
Republic Day reminds us of the fulfillment
of the pledge that was made on the midnight of Independence
as a “tryst with destiny”. It is future-oriented,
a vision of India that we nourish, an acceptance of responsibility
and making of promises as well as recapitulation of the
achievements. The act of framing the Constitution puts
a spotlight on B.R. Ambedkar whose indefatigable labour
and sharp insights helped the preparation of the document.
The difference in significance marks
the variation in the pattern of celebration of these two
national days. On Independence Day, the past is recalled
whereas, on Republic Day, the pledge is renewed. Independence
Day has rhetoric built in the celebration; Republic Day
is without speeches. It is the only ceremony in which
rhetoric is in the background and visuals are given priority.
Republic Day is celebrated all over the
country at all the administrative units like the capital
cities, district headquarters, sub divisions, talukas,
and panchayats. The major ceremonies at Delhi and the
state capitals revolve around the parade in which all
the defence services police contingents, Home guards and
Civil Defence, NCC, school children and cultural troupes
participate followed by a display of tableaux and folk
dances.
The celebration mood lasts for one week.
It consists of the ground preparations, rehearsals, the
main display and spills over to the ‘Beating of
Retreat’ on January 29, a day before Martyrs Day
which marks the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
The day has acquired the status of a
social celebration in which people participate whole-heartedly
as spectators. The celebrational mosaic is studded with
activities. Though the parade is the main ceremony, various
activities spill over from early morning when prabhat
pheris (morning rounds) are held followed by a homage
to Gandhi. The parade is succeeded by sports events in
the afternoon. ‘At Home’ functions at the
Raj Bhavan, at the District Magistrate’s and at
the SDM’s are followed by illumination of public
buildings of the state capitals and administrative headquarters.
It is a people’s day in more senses
than one. Firstly, the constitution whose promulgation
is celebrated is highly symbolic of the aspirations which
‘we the people of India’ cherish. It ushered
in a social revolution silently by changing the status
of the individual from a subject of a colonial empire
to a citizen of a free country. It laid down the method
of governance and established the relationship of the
citizen to the state. It endeavours to secure justice,
liberty, equality and fraternity and assures the dignity
of the individual by conferring fundamental rights upon
the citizen. With one stroke, it abolished all distinctions
of status, rank, creed, colour and sex. It outlawed untouchability,
an abominable social practice that had created discrimination
and tensions in society.
Secondly, much of the social change consequent
upon the new legislation has its roots in the Directive
Principles of State Policy. The Constitution is the Supreme
law. Hence Republic Day is sacrosanct as its significance
is deep-rooted. India at present owes its programmes to
the Constitution. She can build her future on the basis
of the tenets enshrined therein.
Thirdly, it is a day of the citizen of
the country when he is supreme. Symbolically, he can fly
the national flag on his vehicle and at the top of his
house. It is a great privilege.
Fourthly, it is a paid holiday when everyone
has a right to celebrate, enjoy, relax. No wonder the
mood is festive and recreational. Picnics are common,
a movie with a message is telecast besides the parade
on Rajpath in Delhi and the patriotic group songs with
visuals.
The celebrations are universal, total
and participatory, children take part in a big way. Variations
in culture are displayed through colourful attires and
folk dances. The traditional predominates along with a
touch of modernity reflected in the display of might (latest
defence gadgetry and acquisitions), technology and capabilities
of growth in various sectors. The parade symbolizes the
might; the tableaux are predominated by cultural motifs.
The touch of the local highlights the identity of the
area. The celebration is thus a homage to the past, the
region and the nation that is a true republic and imposes
nothing.
