India Celebrates Republic Day

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Jan. 26 – Happy Republic Day!! The 26th of January is celebrated as India’s Republic day and today marks the 60th Anniversary of adopting the constitution of India and India becoming a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state.

There are two days linked with India’s freedom from British rule: the first is Independence Day, and the second, Republic Day. Republic Day marks the day when India celebrates her national identity, free of foreign rule. Although India won freedom on the 15th of August, 1947, she adopted her constitution on the 26th of January 1950. Rajendra Prasad was consequently elected the first President of India.

The day commences with the President of India – Ms Pratibha Patil giving her Republic day address – highlighting the triumphs and pitfalls of the year gone by and raising confidence for the year ahead.

The speech is always followed by a flamboyant parade starting from Rashtrapati Bhavan, India’s President’s Palace through Rajpath down to India Gate before culminating at the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi. At the Republic day Parade India commemorates the country’s most intelligent students and bravest soldiers. The national flag is unfurled and the national anthem sung. Each state decorates a culturally symbolic float and the army, navy and air force put on a spectacular show displaying India’s rich diversity and cultural heritage.

Each year India hosts a head of state as the chief guest on this day. This year the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev will be the Chief Guest.