Republic Day 2024: It is celebrated on 26 January every year and this year India will celebrate its 74th Republic Day. It falls on Wednesday. There is a change in the timing of the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2024.
On this day President of India addresses the nation. It also shows the huge image of the country's rich cultural heritage and military prowess. On 26 January 1950, the Constitution of India was implemented in the country which is why we celebrate 26 January as Republic Day every year.
Every Indian feels pride while seeing the National Flag unfurling on Republic Day. Do you know every year, around 2 Lacs people come to watch the parade on 26th January? The theme for this year's Republic Day celebration is "participation of the common people." The chief guest of the parade is Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the president of Egypt.
In order to ensure the proper conduct of the parade, thousands of soldiers and several other people are actively involved in the process. The formal responsibility to organize the parade lies in the Defence Ministry which is assisted by different organizations.
In the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2024, 12 states and Union territories and nine ministries and departments have been selected to showcase their tableaux. These include Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
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15 interesting facts about the parade of 26th January
1. As we all know every year, the organisation of the parade on 26th January is done at Rajpath situated in New Delhi, but do you know that Rajpath was not the organizing centre for the parade from 1950 to 1954? During these years, the 26th January parade was held at Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium), Kingsway, Red Fort, and Ramleela Maidan respectively.
Rajpath became the permanent venue for the parade of 26th January in AD 1955. Rajpath was known by the name ‘Kingsway’ at that time, now known as Kartavyapath.
Source: CDN Times
2. Every year, the Prime Minister/ President/ or the ruler of any nation is invited as a guest for the 26th January parade. The first parade was held on 26th January 1950, President of Indonesia Dr. Sukarno was invited as a guest. However, in 1955 when the first parade was held at Rajpath, The Governor-General of Pakistan Malik Ghulam Mohammad was invited.
3. The parade event on 26th January begins with the arrival of the President. First of all, the cavalier bodyguards of the President salute the National Flag, and during this time, the National Anthem is played and the 21 Guns Salute is also given. But do you know that firing is not done with 21 canons? Instead, 7- cannons of the Indian army, which are known as “25- Ponders” are used for firing in 3 rounds.
The interesting fact is that the time of the gun salute firing matches with the time at which the National Anthem is played. The first firing occurs at the start of the National Anthem and the last firing occurs right after 52 seconds. These cannons were made in 1941 and are involved in all the formal programs of the army.
Source: BDalbum
READ| Interesting facts about National Flag
4. All the participants of the parade get ready by 2 AM and arrive at the Rajpath by 3 AM. However, the preparations for the parade begin in July of the previous year when all the participants are formally informed about their participation. Till August, they practice parade at their related regiment centres and reach Delhi by December. The participants have already practised for 600 hours before performing on the 26th of January formally.
5. A special camp near the premises of the India Gate is organized for all the Tanks, Armored Vehicles, and modern equipment showing the military power of India. The investigation process for each Cannon and the work of whitewashing is performed in 10 stages mostly but this time maybe it will be different.
Source: Times of India Blogs
6. For rehearsal for the parade of 26th January, each group covers the distance of 12 kilometres but on the day of 26th January, they cover the distance of 9 Kilometres only. Judges are seated all through the way of the parade, and judge every participating group based on 200 parameters, and based on this judgment, the “best marching group” title is awarded.
7. Every activity performed on the 26th January parade event is pre-organized, right from the beginning till the end. Therefore, even the smallest error and delay by the fewest minutes could cost heavily to the organizers.
8. Each army personnel who participates in the event of parade has to pass through 4 levels of investigation. Besides this, their arms are thoroughly checked to ensure that their arms are not loaded with live bullets.
READ| Republic Day: Journey of Indian Republic
9. The tableaux involved in the parade move at a speed of about 5 km/hr, so that people can watch them thoroughly. You will be surprised to know that the drivers of these tableaux drive them through a small window. In the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2022, 12 states and Union territories and nine ministries and departments have been selected to showcase their tableaux. These include Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Source: Athavan English News
10. The most fascinating part of the event is the “flypast”. Responsibility for “flypast” lies on the Western Airforce Command, which involves the participation of around 41 Aircraft. The aircraft involved in the parade take off from different centers of the Air Force and reach the Rajpath at a fixed time.
Source: Festivals of India
11. The song “Abide with Me” is played at every Republic Day parade event as it was the favourite song of Mahatma Gandhi. But now, it has been removed by the central government.
12. The army personnel participating in the parade march with indigenously made INSAS rifles, whereas personnel of Special Security Forces march with Tavor rifles made in Israel. This time maybe it is different.
Source: Firstpost
13. According to information obtained through RTI, an expenditure of about 320 crore rupees was incurred in the parade event held in the 2014 parade. In 2001, this expenditure was about 145 crores. In this manner, the expenditure made on the 26th January parade has increased by 54.51% from 2001 to 2014.
14. Malik Gulam Mohammed (first governor-general of Pakistan) was the first chief guest of the Rajpath parade in 1955 (the Republic Day Parade was started first time).
15. The Beating Retreat ceremony is held on the 29th of January at Vijay Chowk with the performance of Indian Army, Air Force and Navy bands. It marks the end of Republic Day celebrations in India.
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| Journey of the National Flag of India | Important Days and Dates in January 2024 |
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