India’s Republic Day is a national holiday in India celebrated on January 26th every year. It marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. It was on this day that India officially became a republic and the President of India became the head of the state.
The main Republic Day celebration takes place in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India. The event starts with a grand parade that begins at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and proceeds towards the India Gate. The parade features a display of India’s cultural and military heritage and includes floats representing different states and union territories of India.
The President of India, who is the chief guest of the event, unfurls the national flag and the national anthem is played. 21 gun salutes are fired in honor of the occasion. The parade also includes a display of floats representing different states and union territories of India, showcasing their culture and heritage.
The parade also includes a display of various military tanks, missiles, and other weapons systems, as well as a fly-past by Indian Air Force planes. The parade ends with a display of vibrant floats depicting different themes, such as the country’s rich cultural heritage, scientific achievements, and social and economic progress.
In addition to the parade, various cultural programs are also organized across the country to mark the occasion. Schools and colleges hold special events and patriotic songs are played on radio and television. The day is also marked by patriotic fervor and a sense of national pride among the people of India.
In recent years, the Republic Day parade has also included a display of India’s diversity and unity, with contingents from different states and union territories participating in the parade, dressed in their traditional attire.
India’s Republic Day is also a time for the country to reflect on its past and look towards the future. It is a reminder of the sacrifices made by the country’s freedom fighters and the values of democracy and secularism that form the foundation of the Indian nation.
In short, India’s Republic Day is a day of national pride and celebration of the country’s cultural heritage and its democratic values. The main celebration takes place in New Delhi and includes a grand parade, cultural programs, and a display of India’s military strength. It is a day to reflect on the country’s past and look towards the future with a sense of unity and purpose.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India, located in New Delhi. It is one of the most iconic buildings in India and a symbol of the country’s rich architectural heritage.
The building was designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens, who was commissioned to design the building in 1912 as part of the British government’s plans to shift the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi. Construction of the building began in 1913 and was completed in 1929.
The building is a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture, a style that blends elements of Indian, Islamic, and European architecture. It is a massive structure, with a floor area of over 200,000 square feet. The building is set in a 130-hectare (320-acre) estate, which includes the President’s official residence, guesthouses, stables, and gardens.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan has a central dome, four smaller domes, and numerous corridors, halls, and rooms. The main entrance of the building is the “Durbar Hall,” which is used for state receptions and ceremonies. The building also features a “Mughal Garden,” which is open to the public during certain times of the year.
The building has been the official residence of the President of India since the country’s independence in 1947. In addition to serving as the President’s residence, Rashtrapati Bhavan also serves as the office of the President and is the venue for many state events and ceremonies.
The building is open for the general public for visit only on certain days of the week and with prior appointment, it is also a popular tourist destination and offers a glimpse into the rich architectural heritage of India.