Republic Day 2023: History, Importance and Interesting facts

Every year, Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 to commemorate the day on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. This year, the day falls on Thursday, with citizens of the country marking it as the 74th Republic Day. 

• This occasion marks the day when India became a republic, and was no longer under the British Empire.
• The constitution of India is the supreme law of our country. 
• It is the framework the citizens follow when it comes to fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties that all citizens and government institutions must follow.

History and Significance:

• Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950. 
• While India gained independence from the British Raj in 1947, it wasn’t until January 26, 1950, that the Constitution of India came into effect, and the country became a sovereign state, declaring it a republic. 
• The Constituent Assembly held its first session on December 9, 1946, and the last on November 26, 1949, and then the Constitution was adopted a year later. 
• Dr BR Ambedkar headed the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. On this day, India also marks Constitution Day.
• Republic Day commemorates the spirit of independent India. On this day, in 1930, the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj from colonial rule. 
• Republic Day also commemorates Indian citizens’ power to choose their government democratically. 
• The country marks it as a national holiday to commemorate the establishment of the Indian Constitution.

Republic Day Celebrations:

• Republic Day or Ganatantra Diwas celebrations are marked with much enthusiasm in the country. On this day, the President unfurls the national flag followed by spectacular military and cultural pageantry. 
• Additionally, the President of India distributes Padma Awards to the deserving civilians of the country, and brave soldiers are awarded Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and Vir Chakra. Live webcast of the Republic Day Parade is also made accessible every year to millions of people.

This year’s tableaux.

• “Twenty-three tableaux — 17 from states and union territories and six from various ministries and departments — will be displayed, and will depict the nation’s rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong internal and external security.

Difference between ‘flag hoisting’ and ‘flag unfurling’:

• On both 15 August and 26 January, the national flag is hoisted. There is an important similarity between these two important event, yet they are a little different. There is a distinction between hoisting the flag on Independence Day and Republic Day because the customs for each day are different.
• While both the events honour and pay respect to the national flag and might look the same, but there is a distinction between the two events regarding how the flag should be raised.
• The position of the flag also matters a lot. 
• One can spot the difference in unfurling and hoisting in the positioning of the flag. When the national flag is hoisted on Independence Day, it is tied and sits at the bottom of the pole. 
• It is the Prime Minister who raises the national flag up and hoists it with the aim to honour the historical event of the day. 
• Whereas, when the flag is unfurled on Republic Day, it is closed and tied at the top of the pole. 
• The President unfurls it without pulling the flag up as it takes place on Independence Day. On Republic Day, the country celebrates the day when the Constitution was adopted.

Prime Minister hoists National flag on Independence Day

• On Independence Day, the hoisting of the flag signifies the rise of a new nation, from colonial domination. To raise the flag on Independence Day, August 15, a rope is pulled from below. Following that, it is unlatched and raised into place.

President Unfurls the Flag:

• The difference between the two ceremonies is that when India became Republic in 1960, it was already Independent, and that’s why there was no reason to hoist the flag taking from bottom to top.
• Furthermore, on the first Independence Day in 1947, Independent India had no President. Lord Mountbatten was the Governor General of India, the position equivalent to the President, and being a representative of a coloniser couldn’t have raised the flag of an Independent.

Let’s remember our country’s rich history and be happy to call it home. Happy 2023 Republic Day!