Republic Day (India)
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| Republic Day | |
|---|---|
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| Soldiers of the Madras Regiment during the annual Republic Day Parade in 2004 | |
| Also called | Gantantra Divas (Hindi) |
| Observed by | Indians |
| Type | National |
| Date | 26 January |
| Celebrations | Military parades, distribution of sweets in schools and cultural programmes |
The Republic Day of India (Hindi: Gantantra Divas) is a national holiday of India to mark the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on January 26, 1950. It is one of the three national holidays in India. This is not to be confused with the Independence Day on August 15th.
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[edit] History
Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, the Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950. During the transition period from 1947 to 1950, King George VI was the head of state. Lord Mountbatten and C. Rajagopalachari served as the Governors-General of India during this period. Following January 26, 1950, Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first president of India.
[edit] Celebrations
To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. The different regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force march past in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. The parade also includes vibrant displays and floats and traditionally ends with a flypast by Indian Air Force jets.
Celebrations, though on a much smaller scale, are also held in state capitals, where the governor of the state unfurls the national flag. If the Governer of the state is unwell, or is unavailable for some reason, the Chief Minister of the state assumes the honor of unfurling the National Flag of India.
[edit] Chief Guest
India hosts another head of state as the chief guest on this day. The strategic importance of any nation as associated by India can be easily attributed from this list.
| Year | Guest Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Prime Minister Jacques Chirac | France |
| 1996 | President Mr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso | Brazil |
| 1997 | Prime Minister Basdeo Panday | Trinidad and Tobago |
| 1998 | President Jacques Chirac | France |
| 1999 | King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev | Nepal |
| 2000 | President Olusegun Obasanjo | Nigeria |
| 2001 | President Abdelaziz Bouteflika | Algeria |
| 2002 | President Cassam Uteem | Mauritius |
| 2003 | President Mohammed Khatami | Iran |
| 2004 | President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva | Brazil |
| 2005 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuk | Bhutan |
| 2006 | King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud | Saudi Arabia |
| 2007 | President Vladimir Putin | Russia |
[edit] See also
- India's Republic Day : Wallpaper and other information
- Independence Day
- History of India
- Republic Day in other countries
- Republic Day Parade
[edit] External links
- Webcast of Republic day parade
- Watch The Republic day parade New Delhi 26 Jan 2007
- Republic Day - Proud to be a Indian
- Coverage from the red fort on Jan 26, 2007
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