26th January marks an important event in India’s history. It commemorates the enactment of the constitution of India which came into effect on this day in 1950, and made the nation into a republic. In fact, 26 January was chosen as the day to announce India becoming a republic in the year 1930 and on the same day, the Indian National Congress denounced colonial rule and proclaimed ‘Purna Swaraj’, “complete freedom from the British”. While India gained independence from the British in 1947, but it wasn’t until 26 January 1950 that the Indian Constitution came into effect and India became a sovereign state, declaring it a republic.
The Indian Constitution was drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar who is known as the Architect of the Indian Constitution. It was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. But the Constitution came into force in 1950 and solidified the establishment of India’s independent democratic government, thus completing the country’s transition into becoming a “sovereign socialist secular democratic republic” that “secures all its citizens justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity,” according to its preamble.
India celebrates Republic Day to commemorate the day, the Government of India Act (1935) set by the British Raj was replaced by, the Indian Constitution and was adopted as the governing document of India.
This day is celebrated with much pomp and fervor all over India. The Indian flag is hoisted all over country followed by reciting of the national anthem. In India’s capital Delhi, during the event President of India’s entrance kicks off the parade event followed by beautifully decorated tableaus that reflect the uniqueness and beauty of the various states of India.
This year, the day falls on Thursday, with citizens of the country marking it as the 75th Republic Day.
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu will lead the Nation in celebrating the 75th Republic Day from Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2024. French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest at the parade, which is set to showcase India’s rich cultural diversity, unity & progress; its military prowess on the back of increasing indigenous capabilities, and the growing Nari Shakti.
Every year the Republic Day is celebrated with a Theme. Based on the twin themes of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’, this year’s parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 Special Guests – an initiative which will provide an opportunity to people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage Jan Bhagidari in this national festival.
For the first time ever, the parade will be heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade would commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. to be played by these women artists. It will also witness the maiden participation of an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthrall the audience during the Fly-past, representing Nari Shakti. The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel.
The Republic Day parade will commence at 1030 hrs and run for a duration of approx. 90 minutes. The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.
The arrival of the President of India and her French counterpart will be escorted by the President’s Bodyguard – ‘Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak’. The President’s Bodyguard is the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. This Republic Day is special for this elite Regiment as the ‘Angrakshak’ have completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773. The two Presidents will arrive in the ‘Traditional Buggy’, the practice which is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years.
As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of 105 Helicopter Unit will shower flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This will be followed by ‘Aavaahan’, a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti.
The parade will then commence with the President taking the salute. The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation Army officer. Major General Sumit Mehta, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command.
The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards will follow.
Kartavya Path will be witness to a march past by a combined Band and Marching contingent of the French Armed Forces. A 30-member band contingent will be headed by Captain Khourda, which will be followed by a 90-member marching contingent, led by Captain Noel. One Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft and two Rafale fighter jets of the French Air & Space Force will fly above the contingents while they march past the saluting dais.
Marching down the Kartavya Path for the first time would be an all-women Tri-Service contingent, led by Captain Sandhya of Military Police, with three supernumerary officers Captain Sharanya Rao, Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav & Flight Lieutenant Shrishti Rao, and an all-women Armed Forces Medical Services contingent, headed by Major Srishti Khullar with Captain Amba Samant of Army Dental Corps, Surgeon Lieutenant Kanchana of Indian Navy & Flight Lieutenant Dhivya Priya of Indian Air Force.
Every year, millions of Indians witness the rich tradition, cultural heritage, spectacle of the nation’s progress and achievements, and the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force showcase their skills and display India’s defence prowess at the parade which is broadcast on television also. Other than performing stunts, air shows, stunts on motorbikes, tanks and other weapons systems are also showcased. Alongside these the firing of the gun shots from canons salute coincides with the playing of the National Anthem. The first shot is fired at the opening of the National Anthem, and the last shot is fired 52 seconds later. These cannons were built in 1941 and are used in all of the army’s formal programs. Apart from this, the public can experience these events, including the Republic Day Parade rehearsal, the parade and the Beating the Retreat.
Beating Retreat ceremony, which will be held at Vijay Chowk on January 29, 2024, will witness all Indian tunes to mark the culmination of Republic Day celebrations. The tunes, including Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja, Foulad Ka Jigar, Taqat Watan Ki Humse Hai, Kargil and Shankhnaad, will be played by bands of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force & CAPF before a distinguished audience comprising of President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, other Union Ministers, senior officials and the general public.
The parade was being organised from 1950 to 1954 at Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium), Kingsway, Red Fort, and Ramleela Maidan, respectively, throughout these years. Since 1955, Rajpath now Kartavya Path has been the permanent venue of the 26th January parade.
