India is all set to celebrate its 75th Republic day on 26th January 2024. Every year, Republic Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, commemorating the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950. The Constitution, crafted by the Drafting Committee which was led by Dr. B R Ambedkar, serves as a guiding force for every citizen. It declares India as a republic and a democracy, embodying our shared values and ethics.
The day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters to ensure India’s independence . The President of India addresses the nation, highlighting the essence of the Constitution. Republic Day showcases India’s rich cultural heritage and military strength, with a grand parade held every year at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
Here are some interesting facts about the Republic Day Parade 2024 that you should know:
- The theme for this year’s Republic Day celebration is “Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka“, emphasizing inclusive engagement.
- Over 2 lakh people attend the Republic Day Parade every year.
- This year, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France is the Chief Guest on Republic Day. Every year, a Prime Minister or a President or a ruler of a nation is invited as the Chief Guest to witness the Republic Day parade.
The first parade was held on 26th January 1950, President of Indonesia Dr. Sukarno was invited as a guest.
In 1955, when the first parade was held at Rajpath, the Governor-General of Pakistan Malik Ghulam Mohammad was invited as the Chief Guest - The formal responsibility to organize the parade lies with the Defense Ministry which is assisted by different organizations.
- The preparations for the Republic Day parade starts nearly a year in advance, starting in July. During this time, participants receive official notifications about their involvement. From July to August of the previous year, they practice at their respective regiment centers. By the time December arrives, they gather in Delhi to add final touch to their performances.
- On 26th January, participants are up and ready by 2 AM, reaching Kartavya Path by 3 AM. Their preparation includes around 600 hours of practice before the formal performance on January 26th.
- During the Republic Day parade, a 21-gun salute is fired in sync with the National Anthem. Surprisingly, the firing doesn’t involve 21 cannons but rather 7 Indian army cannons known as “25-Ponders”. These cannons, dating back to 1941, play a role in all formal army events.
The gunshots match the National Anthem timing, with the first shot at the anthem’s beginning and the last one precisely after 52 seconds. The President’s arrival marks the commencement of the parade, where the cavalier bodyguards salute the National Flag amidst the marvelous display. - Various states, Union territories, and nine ministries and departments have been chosen to present their vibrant tableaux. This includes Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The tableaux moves at a pace of around 5 km/hr, allow viewers to fully appreciate and enjoy the displays.
The drivers of these elaborate floats maneuver them through a small window, adding an element of skill and precision to the process. - The “Flypast” involves participation of around 41 aircrafts which take off from different centers of Air Force and reach the destination at fixed time. This responsibility lies with Western Airforce Command.
- On the 29th of January, the Beating Retreat ceremony will take place at Vijay Chowk, involving mesmerising performances by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy bands. This ceremony marks the conclusion to the Republic Day celebrations in India.