Republic -

The Republic of India is a large South Asian country rich in ethnic diversity, with over one billion people speaking hundreds of languages. Politically it is the world's largest liberal democracy. The Indian economy is the fourth largest in the world, in terms of purchasing power parity, and is the world's second- fastest growing economy. India is also the second most populated country in the world. India has grown significantly, in terms of both population and strategic importance, in the last twenty years attributed to economic reforms.

Strategically located in Asia, constituting most of the Indian subcontinent, India straddles many busy trade routes. It shares its borders with , the People's Republic of China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan.Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia are the nearby island nations in the Indian Ocean. Home to some of the most ancient civilizations in the world, India was formally ruled by the British for almost ninety years before gaining independence in 1947. Origin of India's name:

The official name India is derived from Sindhu, the historic local appellation for the river Indus and is the most internationally recognizable of the country. The Constitution of India and general usage also recognizes Bharat as the other official name of equal status. Bharat comes from the name of an ancient Hindu king and means seeker of knowledge. The third name is Hindustan, meaning land of the Hindus (where Hindu refers to those who dwell to the right of the Indus/Sindhu river) used from the Mughal times onwards.

India, a sub-continent with 5000 year old History. A civilization united by its diversity, richness of culture, the glory of past, the turbulences and triumphs. The landmarks of each era, the achievements of a change, the legacy of a regime. As we walk through the history,India is an amazing discovery and its history is a unique tale of the past.

With the arrival of the Portuguese, French and English traders, advantage was taken of the fractured, debilitate kingdoms to colonise India. In 1857, an insurrection amongst the army sepoys ensued in the popular Revolt of 1857 against the powerful British ; this mobilised resistance, though short-lasting, was caused by the widespread resentment against discriminatory policies of the British. After the revolt, the Indian independence movements started demanding complete independence. On August 15th, 1947, India was finally granted independence from British rule and became a secular republic.

January 26 ( of India):

Republic Day is one of the greatest national celebrations observed throughout the country on January 26 every year. India became Republic on the 26th Jan, 1950. The country became a sovereign democratic republic with a written constitution and an elected parliament.

At the time of independence, although India was under British rule, there were 565 Princely States, big and small, ruled by powerful sovereigns who were protected by treaties of alliance with the British Crown. Without bringing them together, the fundamental unity of the country was not possible. This unification was accomplished by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose statesmanship helped to integrate the country into one nation. In a little less than 2 years, all the princely States became a part of the Republic of India.

It was on this date in 1927 that the Indian National Congress, then fighting its non-violent war for freedom, voted for complete independence as against 'dominion status'. When members of the INC took the pledge to work towards a 'sovereign democratic republic' of India. Indian Constitution:

When India gained freedom from the British on August 15, 1947 there was the need to regulate the meaning of freedom. Therefore, to have a set of rules and regulations that would guide the nation, the Constituent Assembly met on December 9, 1946.The Constituent Assembly was convened and appointed a committee with Dr. B.R.Ambedkar as Chairman to draft the Constitution.

Borrowing from the Constitutions of other countries, for example, the parliamentary form of government from Britain, supremacy of judiciary from the United States, federal system with a strong centre from Canada, directive principles of state policy from Ireland, the idea of concurrent powers and co-operative federalism from Australia, the system of procedure established by law from Japan, the Indian Constitution is an amalgam of all these.

The Indian Constitution, the longest in the world, consist 397 articles and 12 schedules which provides for a single citizenship for the whole of India. The constitution of India was originally written in English It gives the right to vote to all citizens of 18 years and above, unless they are disqualified. Fundamental rights are guaranteed to the citizens, equality of religion and so on. National motto:

Satyameva Jayate (In Sanskrit it means Always Truth Alone Triumphs)

The Great Indian Flag:

This is an ancient Indian symbol associated with the powers and changes of nature. . Officially, the Orange color stands for Courage and sacrifice. . The White color signifies Peace and truth. . While Green symbolizes Faith and Chivalry.

It is the duty of every Citizen to realize the significance of our flag and pay the honor and respect its commands.

Official language:

Hindi, English

Having being declared a Democratic Republic, the people starting governing themselves according to the Constitution written by the Constituent Assembly. With this, Republic Day became the most important day in the history of India. It is therefore natural that the festivities for the day are a lot more elaborate than that for .

The Republic Day Parade

The parade showcasing India's military might and cultural diversity covers an eight-km route, starting from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan through the picturesque down to before winding up at the historic in Old .

The events of the day begin with the Prime Minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti (at India Gate).He meets the dignitaries present and unfurls the National Flag. Following the unfurling the National Anthem is played to a 21-gun .

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. In army these are known as the most prestigious awards for bravery for saving their motherland from the enemy of our country. Indian struggle continues till now...

After independence, India has fought four wars with its neighbors. From 1975 to 1977, Prime Minister declared a "State of Emergency in India", thereby freezing civil rights and detaining civilians without trial. Sikh riots in 1984 resulted in religious strife in much of India.

Also the destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992 resulted in religious strife in much of India. In the desert town of Pokhran, in 1998, the Indian government exploded five nuclear warheads, confirming India's nuclear status. In 1999, India mobilized its military in Kargil, Kashmir to repel Islamist terrorists who, under the auspices of the Pakistani government, were encroaching upon Indian Territory.

Republic Day Celebrations

Republic Day is an annual event of national importance in India; therefore no stone is left unturned to mark its importance. Although the celebrations of Republic day is held in every state of India but , the capital city of India, witnesses the grand show of Republic Day Parade starting from the Rajpath (India Gate) near the President's Palace up to the historical Red Fort

Republic Day occasion in New Delhi starts from Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where the along with the chief of Army, Air Force and Navy staff commemorates the soldiers who laid down their lives for the protection of the sovereignty of India. After that the convoy of the Indian President accompanied by the chief guest of the celebration reaches to the venue. Just before the dazzling display of nation's military might and colors of culture at Rajpath, the President hoist the Indian tri-color flag and awards the bravery medals to the soldiers or their family members for showing exceptional courage in the battle field.

s the supreme commander of the , the President takes salute to the march past by the soldiers of different wings of Armed forces. Also the spectacular show of traditional songs and dance by the artists from the different states of India and the parade of the Children who have won the bravery awards are also considered among the most cheerful part of the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. Various states of India also have their celebrations of Republic Day with hoisting of national flag by the Governor/Chief Minister in the public function held at the state's capital.

Chief Guests on Republic Day India

Every year on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations, India hosts the head of the state to become the honorable chief guest. Here is the list of the Chief

Guests on Republic Day in India since 1976:-

o 1976: Prime Minister Jacques Chirac, France o 1978: President Dr. Patrick Hillery, Ireland o 1980: President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, France o 1985: President Raul Alfonsin, Argentina o 1986: Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, Greece o 1987: President Alan Garcia, Peru o 1988: President Junius Jayewardene, Sri Lanka o 1992: President Mário Soares, Portugal o 1993: Prime Minister John Major, United Kingdom o 1994: Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Singapore o 1995: President Nelson Mandela, South Africa o 1996: President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Brazil o 1997: Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, Trinidad and Tobago o 1998: President Jacques Chirac, France o 1999: King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Nepal o 2000: President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria o 2001: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algeria o 2002: President Cassam Uteem ,Mauritius o 2003: President Mohammed Khatami, Iran o 2004: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil o 2005: King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Bhutan o 2006: King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Saudi Arabia o 2007: President Vladimir Putin, Russia o 2008: President Nicolas Sarkozy, France o 2009: President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan o 2010: President Lee Myung bak, Republic of Korea