On 26th January 1950, the Indian Constitution takes effect, making the Republic of India the most populous democracy in the world.
The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949, and came into effect on 26th January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic. 26th January was chosen as the Republic Day because it was on this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion Status offered by the British Regime.
Republic day is a National Festival, which is celebrated on 26th January every year in India. It is known as “Gantantra Diwas” in Hindi. Democracy is a very important part of the Constitution of India. Today we have a strong democracy. India has a fair and independent Judicial System.
Significance And Importance
- India became a democratic country on 26th January, 1950.
- On this day, the Constitution of India was officially adopted. The Chief Architect of the Constitution of India was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
- Rajendra Prasad, the first President of Independent India, took the oath for office on this day in 1950. Our first President gave a speech that was greeted warmly by the Citizens of India.
Mohandas Gandhi struggled through decades of passive resistance before Britain finally accepted Indian Independence. Self-rule had been promised during World War II, but after the War Triangular Negotiations between Gandhi, The British, and The Muslim League stalled over whether to Partition India along Religious lines. Eventually, Lord Mountbatten, The Viceroy of India, forced through a compromise plan. On 15th August 1947, the Former Mogul Empire was divided into the Independent Nations of India and Pakistan. Gandhi called the agreement the “Noblest act of the British Nation,” but Religious strife between Hindus and Muslims soon marred his exhilaration. Hundreds of thousands died, including Gandhi, who was assassinated by a Hindu Fanatic in January 1948 during a prayer Vigil to an area of Muslim-Hindu Violence.
Of Gandhi’s death, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said, “The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere.” However, Nehru, a leader of the Indian struggle for Independence and Gandhi’s protege, persisted in his efforts to stabilize India, and by 1949 the religious violence began to subside. In late 1949, an Indian Constitution was adopted, and on 26th January 1950, the Republic of India was born.
With Universal Adult Franchise, Nehru hoped to overcome India’s “Caste-Ridden” society and promote Greater Gender Equality. Elections were to be held at least every five years, and India’s Government was modeled after the British Parliamentary System. A President would hold the largely Ceremonial post of Head of State but would be given greater powers in times of emergency. The first President was Rajendra Prasad.
Nehru, who won his first of three Subsequent Elections in 1952, was faced with staggering challenges. A massively underdeveloped Economy and Overpopulation contributed to widespread Poverty. Nehru also had to force the Integration of the Former Princely States into the Indian Union and Suppress Movements for Greater Autonomy in States like Punjab. In his years of struggle against Britain, he always advocated Nonviolence but as Prime Minister sometimes had to stray from this policy.
He sent troops into the Portuguese enclaves of Goa and Daman and fought with China over Kashmir and Nepal. He died in 1964 and was succeeded by Lal Bahadur Shastri. Later, Nehru’s only child, Indira Gandhi, served four terms as a Controversial Prime Minister of India.
Celebration Done In India
The Indian Tri-Colour Flag is hoisted by the President of India at Rajpath, New Delhi. The Flag Hoisting Ceremony is followed by the Republic Day Parade. The India Army, The Navy and The Air Force participate in the parade.
The Flag Hoisting Ceremony is held all over the Country in Schools, Colleges, Universities and Societies. Various Cultural Programs are also held at various places. People of all Caste and Creed Celebrate the Festival together.
Let us make a great promise for this Country that we would be living together in Peace and Happiness as the people of the same Nation.
