India Republic Day, 63rd Republic day

In India, Republic Day commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950.

The republic day of India is the biggest highlight of the start of every year. It’s celebrated on 26th of January, as a reminder of the official enactment of the first constitution of India. The republic day is one of the remarkable days in Indian history, and thus acquired the importance of a national holiday in every city and state of the country. It’s specifically celebrated in New Delhi with great honor for the Indian constitution and nostalgia of the gone by days that shaped the history for present day India.

The main parade takes place in the national capital New Delhi at the Rajpath before the president, the anniversary is also celebrated with varying degrees of formality in state capitals and other centres. While India's Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution.


India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day across the country with the grand parade displaying its military might and rich cultural diversity amid unity in the national capital New Delhi. Besides the Prime Minister, the President, the Vice President and a host of other Indian ministers and politicians, this year, the Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra was the special guest at the parade at Rajpath in New Delhi.

 

The highlight of this year’s Parade was the 3,000 kms range Agni-IV missile. The Intermediate Range Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile mounted on a road mobile launcher is being paraded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

The weaponry put on display by the Indian Army included the T-72 tank, Carrier Mortar Tracked, SMERCH Multiple Launch Rocket System, Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket System, Full Width Mine Plough, NBC Water Purification Systems and Jammer Station VHF/UHF.

The Indian Air Force did not make static display of any aircraft but its latest acquisition, the C-130-J Super Hercules tactical aircaft, made its debut at the Republic Day Parade, with three of the six aircraft acquired from the US participating in the flypast.

The Amar Jawan, the immortal soldier, is symbolised by a reversed rifle topped by a helmet.

Tableaux from 23 states and Central Ministries and Departments presented the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country.

Country’s progress in different fields was also shwcased. Nineteen of the 24 children selected for the National Bravery Award – 2009 also participated in the parade. Five children have got the award posthumously.

The ceremony culminates with the National Anthem and release of balloons. 

 

As the above picture of the Indian Flag indicates the overall background is orange (saffron), white and green. The flag of India is also called Tiranga, or Tricolor

The description of the Indian Flag is as follows:

Three three equal horizontal bands of saffron, subdued orange, (top), white, and green

       * A blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band

According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Indian flag represent the following:

        *Saffron - a symbol of courage
        *White - peace and honesty
        *Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
        *Green - hope, joy , fertility and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance