5 Things You Didn't Know About Republic Day

India, the largest democracy in the world is also undeniably the most vibrant and striking of all the nations. Different cultures and customs have survived the test of time. On all fronts such as geography, racial, linguistic, religious, social and political - one word that describes India is diverse. Despite turbulent times that the country has seen, in times of crisis all communities stand up together for a world that the revolutionaries fought for. Even in pre–independence time, the freedom fighters had no caste, religion or race. On one hand we had a Bhagat Singh, who was a Sikh and on the other we had Mahatma Gandhi, who was a Gujarati. If we had a staunch Hindu extremist such as Ram Prasad Bismil attaining martyrdom, a Muslim man named Ashfaqulla Khan gave his life along with him for the same country’s freedom.

• The Republic Day celebrations actually last for three days. The Beating Retreat is held at the end of the third day marking the end of Republic Day.
• The Constitution came into a legal circulation at 10:18 AM on the 26th of January, 1950.
• Our Constitution is the longest in the world. You definitely cannot read it in a single day.
• This Republic Day the commentary will be done for the first time in sign language in 2014 for those who cannot hear, because the national pride that one feels needs no ears.

• The Constituent Assembly took almost three years (two years, eleven months and seventeen days to be precise) to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India.
  
  

Such is the fervour of this historic day that each Indian feels the need to be a part of it in some manner or the other. On the 26th of January we realize the importance of our national flag. To every Indian’s delight the online shopping portals offer varied products such the Indian flag stand for desks and dashboards, a tri-colour coffee mug, books on national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi etc. that can be ordered sitting at home. Such small souvenirs remind us of our roots in a simple yet impactful manner. So if you want to be a part of this big date in your own little manner all you need to do is click!

Tri Color 

India as we see today-worried or the current financial crisis in several international countries concerns you, then get a glimpse of the  is a result of the wise decisions taken by some great men in the past. If not for those decisions that got recorded in the Constitution of India, the country would have fallen apart as it was virtually impossible for so many cultures to co–exist. On 26th January, 1950 the Constitution of India came into full force. It was drafted by Dr. B.R Ambedkar, Chairman of the Committee and notable revolutionaries such as Acharya Kriplani, Pandit Nehru, Govind Ballabh, Maulana Azar, Sardar Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad and many other members.

On Republic Day, every Indian realizes how much blood and sweat has actually gone in giving us a free land and free skies. The celebrations on Rajpath are an example of the gratitude that we feel towards the great men who gave their lives for the country. Prior to the commencement of the Republic Day Parade, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to unknown soldiers at the India Gate at one end of Rajpath, which is followed by two minutes silence in the memory of unknown soldiers. It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defence of sovereignty of their country. First, the president unfurls the National flag, as the National Anthem is played, and a 21-gun salute is given as the PBG renders the National Salute. Next, important awards like the Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra are given away by the President, before the regiments of Armed Forces start their march past. Nine to twelve different regiments of the Indian Army in addition to the Navy, and Air Force with their bands march past in all their finery and official decorations. The Army showcases it’s achievements along with various other drills such as the Air show that leaves man of any nationality awestruck.