The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Celebrating the glorious day in Indian history

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Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Celebrating the glorious day in Indian history

January 26, 1950 was one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India was adopted and India became a sovereign democratic republic with a written Constitution.

When India gained freedom from the British on August 15, 1947, there was the need to regulate the meaning of freedom. The forming of constitution under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar gave those set of rules to the country. To mark the occasion, the then Prime Mini ster of India, Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the tricolour on the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Every year since, Independence Day is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm all over the country. In the capital, New Delhi, the ceremony is always initiated by paying homage to the martyrs of the Indian Freedom struggle by the Prime Minister laying wreath at ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ at India Gate.

The president meets the dignitaries present (every year foreign dignitaries are invited) and unfurls the national flag. The national anthem is played to a 21-gun salute. After this, a brief investiture ceremony takes place during which the President awards India’s top gallantry awards -- Param Veer Chakra, Veer Chakra and Maha Veer Chakra -- to the defence personnel exhibiting exceptional courage. Awards are also conferred on the civilians showing exceptional valour. Watched by the entire nation on the national broadcast, the country’s military, economic and scientific might and cultural diversity is showcased with a colourful parade covering an eight km. route from the historic Rajpath along the Vijaypath and down to the India Gate before winding up at the historic Red Fort.

The different regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their glory.

The cavalry horses are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The parade also includes the latest weapons of the Indian security forces. The select NCC cadets from all over the country, schoolchildren from various schools in the capital participate in the march past. The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays on tableaux from different states of the country. The displays from all the states promote the feeling of brotherhood and unity among the people. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and their culture. Each tableau brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion.

Parade

The parade is telecast on the national television all over the country evoking feeling of patriotism in every corner of the country. This day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. The show concludes with the spectacular air shows performed by the pilots that shower the tricolours depicting the colours of the Indian flag. Cultural functions are held in different parts of India to mark the occasion.

This year, French President Nicholas Sarkozy will be the chief guest.

-MANISHA GARG

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