All Indian peoples celebrate Republic day, which is a gazette holiday on January 26 each year. It is a day to remember when India's constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, completing the country's change toward becoming an independent republic.

Is Republic Day a Public Holiday?

Republic Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general populace, and schools and most businesses are closed.

What Do People Do?

Much effort is put towards organize events and celebrations that occur on Republic Day in India. Large military parades are held in New Delhi and the state capitals. Delegate of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and customary dance troupes take part in the parade.

A grand parade is held in New Delhi and the event starts with India's prime minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, to consider soldiers who sacrifice their lives for their country. India's president takes the military salute during the parade in New Delhi while state governors take the military salutes in state capitals. A foreign head of state is the president's chief guest on Republic Day.

Awards and medals of bravery are given to the people from the military forces and also to civilians. Helicopters from the armed forces then fly past the parade area shower rose petals on the viewers. School children also participate in the parade by dancing and singing loyal and patriotic songs. Armed Forces personnel also shows motorcycle rifer stunt. The parade concludes with a "fly past" by the Indian Air Force, which involves fighter planes of flying past the dais, symbolically saluting the president. These leave trails of smoke in the colors of the Indian flag (orange, weight and green).

There are many national and local cultural programs focus on the culture and history of India. Children have a special place in this program. Many children receive gifts of sweets or small toys. A prime minister's rally also takes place around this time of the year, as well as the Lok Tarang – National Folk Dance Festival, which occur yearly from January 24-29.

Public Life

Republic Day is a celebrated holiday in India on January 26 each year. National, state and local government offices, post offices and banks are closed on this date. Stores and other businesses and organization may be closed or have reduced opening hours.

Public convey is usually unaffected as many locals travel for celebrations. Republic Day parades cause important disruption to traffic and there may be increased security and safety on this date, particularly in areas such as New Delhi and state capitals.

Background

India became independent of the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. India did not have a stable constitution at this time. The drafting committee presented the constitution's 1st draft to the national assembly on November 4, 1947. The national assembly signed the final Hindi and English language version of the constitution on January 24, 1950.

India's constitution came into result on Republic Day, January 26, 1950. This date was select as it was the anniversary of Purrn Swaraj Day, which was held on January 26, 1930.The constitution gave India's citizens the power to rule themselves by choose their own government. Dr Rajendra Prasad took oath as India's 1st president at the Durbar Hall in the Government House, followed by a residential drive along a route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurls India's national flag. Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with celebration and patriotic fervor across India.

Symbols

Republic Day represents the true spirit of the independent India. Army parades, displays of military appliance and the national flag are significant symbols on this date. India's national flag is a horizontal tricolor of Deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal part. The ratio of the flag's width to its length is two to three. A navy-blue wheel in the center of the white band represents the chakra the name of Ashok chakra. Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the white band's width and it has (24 spokes).