India celebrates Republic Day on January 26 every year. This Thursday, India will celebrate its 74th Republic Day with great grandeur. President Draupadi Murmu will unfurl the national flag at the recently unveiled Kartavaya trail where a grand parade will be held.
Every year, millions of Indians witness the rich tradition, cultural heritage, spectacle of the nation’s progress and achievements in a grand parade. However, you may be wondering how the nation celebrated its first Republic Day in 1950.
India achieved independence from British rule
Republic Day commemorates the implementation of the Constitution on 26 January 1950. India achieved independence from British rule on 15 August 1947 and the Constitution did not come into force until 26 January 1950. India became a sovereign and republican state.
26 January was chosen as Republic Day because it was on this day that the Indian National Congress declared “Purna Swaraj” opposing the dominion status of the British regime in 1929.
In 1934, MN Roy initiated the move to draft a constitution for India and subsequently to form a Constituent Assembly.
The British government accepted the request in 1940. Dr. BR Ambedkar was appointed as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee. The Constitution was finally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, which is why November 26 is celebrated as Constitution Day.
It took 2 years, 11 months and 17 days to create the Constitution of India. During the preparatory period, 11 meetings were held, spread over 165 days.
India celebrated its first Republic Day with great enthusiasm and grandeur, preparations for which began weeks ago. Dr Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the first President of India on that day. Delhi witnessed large processions of jubilant citizens, beating of drums and blowing of conch shells and singing of patriotic songs. Similar events were celebrated all over the country. After three years of independence, India officially became a sovereign, democratic republic with a parliamentary form of democratic government.
Written by : Vaishali Verma
