HAPPY Republic Day..!!!

knoughtyd · 01:21 AM

HAPPY Republic Day

26th January is not just another date.It is is one of the most important days in Indian history.While India gained independence on August 15, 1947, it was not until January 26, 1950 that the constitution of India came into effect and India became a truly sovereign state, a totally republican nation. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for Independence. So, the 26th of January was decreed a "National Holiday" and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since to mark the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on January 26, 1950.At the time of independence, although India was under British rule, there were 565 Princely States, big and small, ruled by powerful sovereigns who were protected by treaties of alliance with the British Crown. Without bringing them together, the fundamental unity of the country was not possible. This unification was accomplished by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose statesmanship helped to integrate the country into one nation. In a little less than 2 years, all the princely States became a part of the Republic of India.

Republic Day Parade

HISTORY:The first Republic Day parade in 1950, was held at the Irwin Stadium (the present day National Stadium). It was the British who bought to India the concept of the ceremonial parade. It was used for both celebration and national glorification.The Republic Day parade, once a small and modest affair, has now turned into a lavish spectacle of marching columns representing the armed forces, accompanied by armoured vehicles and military bands.

Today, Republic Day Parade is an annual military and cultural parade held in the Indian Capital of New Delhi on 26 January, the Republic Day of India. Republic Day is celebrated with the hoisting of the national flag, and parades by the armed forces and school children all over the country. The largest, and most important, of these parades takes place in New Delhi, and the phrase "Republic Day Parade" generally refers to the parade in New Delhi

Before the parade starts, the Prime Minister of India lays a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate,commemorating all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, then arrives in his motorcade, escorted by his bodyguards. The President is accompanied by a notable foreign Head of State - who is the Chief Guest at the celebration. The President presides over the function. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. The President of India, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. Soon afterward, a 21 gun salute is presented, the President unfurls the National Flag and the National Anthem is played. This marks the beginning of the parade.

Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.Various divisions of the Armed Forces then salute the President of India.The processions starts by moving down from the Rashtrapati Bhavan through Rajpath, past the India Gate and on to Connaught Place, the heart of the city, to enter the historic Red Fort. The crowds sit on either side of the route and the VIP enclosure is on the Southern flank of Rajpath, near India Gate.The parade also sees the Indian Military showcasing its latest acquisitions such as tanks, missiles, radars, etc.The military contingent contains reprensentatives of all three divisions of the Armed Forces (air, sea and land). There are also massive parades of Police contingents, Home guards , Civil Defence and the National Cadet Corps.The military parade is followed by a colourful cultural parade. India's rich cultural heritage is paraded with tableaux from various states. Each state depicts its unique festivals, historical locations and art forms. These moving exhibits depict activities, music and culture of people in those states.The most cheered section of the parade is the children who have won National Bravery Awards.They ride past the dais on elephants. School-children from all over the country also participate in the parade.Then, the President awards the medals of bravery to officers from the armed forces for their exceptional courage and to civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their acts of valour in different situations..An air display by the Indian Air Force, forms the highlight of the parade.Watched by a vast multitude of people, the parade starts from the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the Presidential residence) and winding its way through the heart of the city, ends at the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi. The Republic Day celebrations are telecast live on National Television and watched by viewers all over the country.Similar parades in smaller scale are held in each Indian state and there the Governors take the salute.

Chief Guest
Each year the Government of India invites a notable foreign Head of State to attend the Republic Day Parade as the Chief Guest. The invitee is usually from a country with whom India is building a strategic relationship.This year it is Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Here is a List of Chief Guests over the Years:
2007* Vladimir Putin( President of Russia)
2006 King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz( King of Saudi Arabia)
2005 King Jigme Singye Wangchuk(( King of Bhutan)
2004 Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva( President of Brazil)
2003 Mohammed Khatami(President of Iran)
2002 Cassam Uteen( President of Mauritius)
2001 Chandrika Kumaratunga (President of Sri Lanka)
2000 Olusegun Obasanjo (President of Nigeria)
1999 King Birendra Shah Dev( King of Nepal)
1998 Jacques Chirac (President of France)

End of the Republic Day celebrations

Three days later, on the evening of January 29, a stirring ceremony known as 'Beating Retreat', is held. It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The venue is Raisina Hills and an adjacent square, flanked by the north and south block of the Parliament. The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives escorted by the 'President's Body Guards'(PBG), a cavalry unit.The ancient military custom of sending drummers through the streets just before sunset to warn the troops to return to their barracks before the flag is hauled down for the night, has been revived in a unique way. Twenty or more bands, from the three services, perform. The plaintive notes of the old hymn, 'Abide with me' is played. The bands fall silent and a solitary bugler takes up the hymn's refrain. The final notes fade away-marking the end of the Republic Day celebrations.

Republic Day Parade

Arms Display

"Brahmos"

Air Display

Marching Contingents

knoughtyd

Tableaux of Various states,Ministries & Other Services

India's rich cultural heritage is paraded with tableaux from various states. Each state depicts its unique festivals, historical locations and art forms. These moving exhibits depict activities, music and culture of people in those states.One by One each state shows up its heritage and culture in its unique way.Its one of the Best Visual aspects of the Republic Day Parade.

Various States

Ministries & Other Services

MA5K

HATS OFF TO U, KD!!!

ApeX

Good Job KD
and HAPPY Republic Day to all.

SunnyBoi

Happy Republic day to all

Crazy_Eddy

A Happy Republic day to one and all!!
(and boy KnoughtyD what an awesome post that is!!)

May we salute our wondrous nation on this day and strive to take it further and higher!