The Republic Day of India marks the date when the Constitution of India came into effect. India achieved its Independence on 15th August 1947. The country didn’t yet have a permanent constitution, and its laws were based on Government of India. The Republic Day gives the true feeling of an Independent Nation. After India became independent it took more than two years to implement their constitution. The drafting committee presented their constitution on 4th November 1947 but the national assembly signed its final version in English and Hindi on 24th January 1950. And then, it came into implementation from 26th January 1950.
The nation celebrates its 69th Republic Day on 26th January 2018. Government has declared this date as a national holiday. On this day all the Indian revolutionaries, soldiers, sailors, and airmen are remembered who sacrificed their lives to bring Independence to this country. Heroes and freedom fighters like Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tantia Tope, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, and many others who fought hard and made immense contribution towards India’s freedom will always be honored with great respect and dignity.
Every year on the Republic Day, many events are organized by the Government of India in honor of our great heroes. A huge military parade is held at Rajpath in New Delhi. The Prime Minister of India pays tribute to the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate in honor of Indian soldiers who sacrificed themselves while saving the country. The President of India takes the Military salute during the parade in New Delhi whereas Military salute is taken by the State Governors in their particular state capitals. Prime Ministers or Presidents of different countries are invited as a chief guest by the Prime Minister.
This year the chief guests who will be attending the Republic Day event are the leaders of 10 different countries of the world (Heads of ASEAN States). Guests from Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam will be visiting India for this big event. Different state cultural programs, folk dances, and tableaus are held at this event. Military equipment’s are displayed here. Indian Air Force participates in the event by doing the air shows and showering flower petals from the sky. Students from around the country take part in various cultural dance activities and parades. National Awards like Ashok Chakra, Maha Veer Chakra, Param Veer Chakra and Veer Chakra and other bravery awards are honored to the soldiers of armed forces, military officers, and students for their best performance and work. Sweets and chocolates are distributed amongst children.
The citizens celebrate the national holiday by listening to patriotic songs and watching patriotic movies. Some of the old patriotic songs like “Vande mataram”, “Ae mere watan ke logo”, “Mere desh ki dharti”, “Yeh desh hai veer jawano ka”, and “Jahan daal daal par” are very meaningful and heart touching songs which always binds oneself to respect their own country and feel the patriotism. These songs can be heard all around the nations on televisions and radios. New songs like “Desh Rangeela”, “Maa Tujhe Salam”, “Mera mulk mera desh” unites the youth with their country.
But things are different nowadays then it was before. People of the country had great enthusiasm before not just on days like Independence Day or Republic Day, but any ordinary day. They had the courage and strength to fight for the country and its people. They were brave enough to stand for the right of the people. Each and every country men, women, and children were kind enough to help others whenever needed. They would happily sacrifice their lives for their Mother Earth. On this day they attended the flag hoisting ceremony with great pride and patriotism, by singing the National Anthem and saluting the National Flag. And after the ceremony, people were seen spreading love and kindness to the nation by providing food and clothing’s to the under-privileged and by visiting old-age homes.
This feeling of civilization should come from within, but today it is just marked as a holiday; a day off from work and schools to chill and relax. People today attend parties or go to watch the latest movie released in theatres. They would be eager to show their patriotism on just this day by changing their profile picture as the National Flag of the Country on their Social Media accounts and WhatsApp, dress-up in tri-colored clothes, go for shopping to get some holiday discount, take selfies with a flag to share it between friends and families, or just a day to sleep little extra and stay at home and have some family time. Over these years, the patriotism in people is gradually vanishing. Those Indian flags will be crushed upon the next day. Is this how one should respect his motherland? People are too busy into their own lives that they don’t care about others anymore. They would not waste a single minute in helping someone, else they would miss their train or bus to work. They want a Clean and Green Nation, but they do not want to bring the change in themselves. They have a long list of complains about the country and the government, but they are not ready to take the initiative to make it a better country.
But still there are many in this country, who have made this country a proud nation. They show a true spirit of patriotism. We can say the love for the country is not vanished. It is seen at every military officers house, it is seen at every sports where great enthusiasm among players are seen when they are playing for the country. It is seen among every international level participant’s when they represent their country.
A person when represents their country feels proud in itself. No one can be taught to be loyal towards its nation, but the feeling of patriotism is developed on its own. Let’s join hands and work together and take a pledge to make this country a better nation. Be the change you want to see in this world and feel proud to be an Indian.
Happy Republic Day !
Jai Hind
