Republic Day Wishes

Significance of Republic Day

While India celebrated its freedom from British colonisation on August 15, 1947, it established itself as a sovereign state on January 26, 1950. In other words, this is the day the Indian constitution came into being 67 years ago.

The chief architect of the Constitution of India, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, headed the drafting committee that prepared the 'draft constitution' in November 1947. It took more than the next two years for the constitution to finally see the light of day.

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on January 26, 1950, a date specially chosen to coincide with the anniversary of 'Purna Swaraj Diwas'. January 26, 1930 was marked as 'Purna Swaraj Diwas', or the day the nation would attain complete freedom from its colonisers by the Congress.

This was the day the Indian Independence Act was consequently repealed and India was established as a democratic republic, no longer a dominion of the British Crown.

Republic Day celebrations in India

Much like the Independence Day celebrations in India, Republic Day too is celebrated with grand parades in New Delhi and the different state capitals. The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, artistes and performers from across the country participate in the parades to showcase the diversity of cultures. The President and state Governors receive the military salutes during the parades with the 'fly past' by the Indian Air Force officially concluding the parade in the national capital.

India receives a foreign head of state every year as its guest on the occasion of Republic Day. While former US President Barack Obama was the chief guest in 2015, French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade.