73RD REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA

73RD REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA

Context:

In 2022, India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day. This day marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution and the transition to a republic country on January 26, 1950. 

Celebration of the Day:

• Every year, celebrations of this day include spectacular displays of military and cultural significance. 
• In New Delhi, military personnel march near Rajpath, demonstrating military might. 
• A landmark program in Rajpath obscures everything happening across the country on this beautiful day.

History of the Day:

• While our Independence Day celebrates independence from the British Empire, Republic Day commemorates the Indian Constitution that came into effect.
• January 26 was a selected date since it was in 1929 that the Indian National Congress issued the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj), opposing the British Regime's Dominion status.

Constitution of Independent India:

• On August 15, 1947, India gained independence. A few days later, on August 29, a committee was formed to draft a permanent constitution for independent India. Dr. BR Ambedkar was made chairman of the committee. 
• On November 4, 1947, the committee drafted a new constitution and submitted it to the Constituent Assembly. 
• The Council met several times in about two years before finally adopting the Constitution. 
• On January 24, 1950, 308 members signed two manuscript versions of the agreement - one in Hindi and one in English - after much discussion and a few changes.
• On January 26, 1950, The Constitution came into effect, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad began his first tenure as President of the Indian Union on the same day.