We have been celebrating Republic Day of our great country for the last 62 years.

This is our 63rd Republic Day. I extend you very warm greetings in this auspicious occasion. 26th January 1950- it was the day on which we became a Sovereign Democratic Republic country and the Constitution of our country came into force. There's a reason behind the selection of 26th January as our Republic Day. In 1930, National leaders of our country hoisted the tricolor National flag of Indian on the banks of Rai River. People were asked to observe January 26 as the Independence Day of our country. But when we got Independence in 1947, the importance of this important day started to vanish. So our national leaders choose 26th January to honor the Purna Swaraj declaration of 1930, our freedom struggle and freedom fighters. This January 26 is the 62nd Republic Day of India. In this peak time, let us take a quick walk from the old foreign invaded India to the modern India of 21st century. When India became independent from the dirty hands of Britishers, our country and leaders had much to do. Our country was like a hell. People fought against each other for anything and everything. But with the strength and leadership of our National leaders, everything were wiped out. India became a Sovereign Republic State. Democracy and Constitution of India came into force. Still we are the largest democracy in the world. But, Independence and Democracy doesn't ensure peace always. We have been witnessing heart stacking terrorist attacks and activities in our country. Terrorism and terrorists have been taking the lives of our valued citizens. The recent Taj Hotel attack was the one of the darkest of its kind. Although we are sovereign, free and republic, we are not yet free from these types of negative forces that's pulling our country from the main stream. We have to fight against these forces as our great grandfathers fought against the foreigners to eliminate these elements from our great country. This is the 21st century. Every country is running fast as they can. We, with more than 100 Crore of human resources is still developing. This is a worse thing to note. We need to learn lesson from other countries like Japan. I request every Indian to contribute himself/herself for our country's great run into the future. If we- tomorrow's generation, learn and work properly, we can make the vision of our former Presiden A P J Abdul Kalam true. Poverty, illiteracy, unemployment- these are the three factors that pull our country away from mainstream. Still we have a portion of our population living without the basic necessities of life. This should not happen. Our Government and other non-Governmental organizations have to focus on this issue. Although our IT structure is booming better than any country in the world, we have a good population suffering from any job. Illiteracy is one of the main facts behind this unemployment. Education should be the motto of our country for the coming years to make ours a developed nation where prosperity and happiness runs smoothly. Our country is a symbol of great diversity in every form. Time is running faster than anything. But still we hold this uninty close to our heart for the last 60 years. I wish feeling of oneness remains in the heart of every Indian in our movement to glorious future. Jai Hind..

Republic Day is the name of a public holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they first became republics. Some of these are former Commonwealth realms, in which the British monarch was head of state until the change of status. Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, the Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950. During the transition period from 1947 to 1950, King George VI was the head of state. Lord Mountbatten and C. Rajagopalachari served as the Governors-General of India during this period. Following January 26, 1950, Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first president of India. The Constitution of India was formally adopted by the Parliament, and India declared itself as a "Republic" on January 26, 1950, a date thereafter celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. The Constitution had been prepared by the Constituent Assembly which was set up upon India gaining its independence from the British in 1947. This, in fact, was a deliberate act: the 26th of January was initially India's "Independence Day", one of Mahatma Gandhi's many symbolic acts during India's Freedom Struggle against the British colonial rule, and the adoption of the Constitution on this date was felt able to strengthen its initial meaning, one calling for Indians of all ages to declare their freedom from the British Raj. It is one of three annual national holidays in India, the other two being the nation's Independence Day on August 15 (since 1947) and the birthday of Mohandas K Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. And so, after the disposal of the Empire of India; King George VI was the last and only "King" of the modern India. To mark this occasion, a grand parade is held in New Delhi, the Capital of India, beginning from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort in the old quarter of the city. Different infantry, cavalry and mechanized regiments of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force march in formation, decked in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. The Chief Guest of the parade is a Head of State of another nation. The parade also includes many traditional dance troupes, to symbolize the cultural heritage of India. It traditionally ends with a colourful flypast by Air Force jets in a tiranga formation. Similar parades are held in the capitals of all the states of India, where the Governor of the respective state takes the salute. Before the parade starts, the Prime Minister of India lays a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, commemorating all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, then arrives in his motorcade, escorted by his bodyguards. The President is accompanied by a notable foreign Head of State - who is the Chief Guest at the celebration. The President presides over the function. Soon afterward, a 21 gun salute is presented, the President unfurls the National Flag and the National Anthem is played. This marks the beginning of the parade. The Parade begins with winners of gallantry awards passing the President in open jeeps. Various divisions of the Armed Forces then salute the President of India. The parade also sees the Indian Military showcasing its latest acquisitions such as tanks, missiles, radars, etc. The military contingent contains reprensentatives of all three divisions of the Armed Forces (air, sea and land). There are also massive parades of Police contingents, Home guards , Civil Defence and the National Cadet Corps. The military parade is followed by a colourful cultural parade. India's rich cultural heritage is paraded with tableaux from various states. Each state depicts its unique festivals, historical locations and art forms. The most cheered section of the parade is the children who have won National Bravery Awards. They ride past the dais on elephants. School-children from all over the country also participate in the parade. The parade also includes displays of skillful motor-cyle riding, usually by a division from one of the Armed Forces. The most eagerly awaited part of the parade is the fly past, put on by the Indian Air Force. The parade concludes with a Fly Past, when fighter planes of the IAF roar past the dais, symbolically saluting the

President. However, the official conclusion of Republic Day festivities is much later - on the evening of January 29, i.e. three days after Republic Day. This ceremony is called Beating the Retreat. HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY !

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