Lesser Known Facts About Republic Day

As students, we used to take part in the cultural programmes that were organised every year in our school in order to mark the Republic Day celebrations. Remember dancing to popular folk music, displaying the rich cultural heritage of our country through skits and performances, singing your heart loud in pride of being a patriot and a lot more? Good school days, weren’t they? After all, you got to skip classes while preparing for these!

We all know why Republic Day is celebrated. It is the day when India formally adopted the constitution and its transition from a British dominion to a republic. We remember and pay homage to the martyrs who dedicated their lives for the freedom movement and the succeeding wars.

However, let’s take a look at some of the lesser known facts about the Republic Day and find out how many of you are aware of these?

1. India has the world’s largest constitution. It was drafted by a team of scholars headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. They gathered together for 166 days through a time span of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to finalise the same. The team comprised of Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, Gopalswami Iyengar, TT Krishnamachary, DP Khaitan, Sir Benegal, Kanyalal Munshi and Md Saadullah.

2. There are only two original copies of the Indian Constitution that are calligraphic in nature and not printed. They have been preserved in helium-filled cases in the Parliament of India. It was drafted in both Hindi as well as English.

3. The Constitution of India came into legal distribution at 10:18am on 26th January, 1950.

4. The celebrations for Republic Day last for three days. It begins at the dawn of 26th January every year and continues till the final ceremony known as the ‘Beating Retreat’ that is held on 29th January. Bands of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy perform at the Vijay Chownk on the final day.

5. The Republic Day parade was first held at Rajpath (formerly known as Kingsway) in the year 1955. Prior to that, celebrations were organised at Irwin Stadium, Lal Quila and Ramleela Grounds.

6. Malik Gulam Mohammad, the first governor general of Pakistan, was the first chief guest of the Republic Day Parade held at Rajpath.

7. One of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymns titled ‘Abide by Me’ is played during the Beating Retreat celebrations.

Popular lines from the song are as follows:

“I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.”

8. More than 100 aircrafts consisting of Liberators, Dakotas, Spitfires, Tempests and Harvards participated in the first Republic Day Parade. Now there are about 33 planes and helicopters that take part in the event.

9. Major Roberts of the Indian Army initiated the ceremonial performances of defence forces in the early 1950s.

10. Hoisting an Indian flag made from any material other than Khadi is considered to be a punishable offence. One can be imprisoned for three years and can also be imposed a heavy fine.

How many of these did you know?!