Republic Day 2024 Interesting and Unknown Facts
Republic Day 2024 Interesting and Unknown Facts:
India is gearing up for its
75th Republic Day
celebration on January 26, 2024. Unlike previous years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't be hoisting the flag; instead,
President Droupadi Murmu
will perform this ceremony. The Republic Day parade, commencing at 10:30 am on January 26, will follow the route from Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Path.
Our first Republic Day was observed in
1950
when Dr. Rajendra Prasad assumed the presidency.
Republic Day and Independence Day
are celebrated with enthusiasm nationwide. This year's weeklong Republic Day festivities will include a parade, the Beating Retreat ceremony, a military tattoo and tribal dance festival, and an impressive drone show.
The Indian National Congress proclaimed
Purna Swaraj (full independence) on January 26, 1930,
opposing the British government's dominion status. This date was later chosen for the Constitution's enactment. Each year, India invites the leader of a specific country as the chief guest for the Republic Day parade.
Indonesian President Sukarno
was the first head of state to attend in 1950.
Also Read:
Republic Day 2024
Republic Day 2024 Celebration Highlights
This year's Republic Day is special with French President Emmanuel Macron as the Chief Guest. The celebration includes a meticulously planned schedule with patriotic ceremonies, a grand parade, and colorful displays showcasing India's diverse culture, emphasizing unity, diversity, and progress in 2024.
Key Facts about Republic Day 2024
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The Constitution of India, adopted on January 26, 1950, marks the foundation of the Republic Day celebration.
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The Republic Day parade attracts around 2 lakh spectators annually, focusing on the participation of the common people.
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Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the President of Egypt, is the chief guest for this year's parade.
Interesting Facts about Republic Day 2024
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India's Constitution was adopted on
January 26, 1950,
making the country a free and self-governing nation. Every year, on this day, Republic Day is celebrated to honor the Constitution's adoption. This year marks the
75th Republic Day celebration.
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The main event is a parade held at
Kartavya Path
in New Delhi. Initially, from
1950 to 1954,
the parade took place at different locations like
Irwin Stadium, Kingsway, Red Fort,
and
Ramleela Maidan.
In 1955, it became a tradition to have the parade at Rajpath (formerly known as Kingsway).
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Each year, a foreign dignitary is invited as the guest for the parade. For instance, in 1950, Indonesia's President,
Dr. Sukarno,
was the first guest, and in 1955,
Malik Ghulam Mohammad,
the Governor-General of Pakistan, attended.
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The theme for this year's parade is
'Developed India' and 'Mother of Democracy,'
with French President Emmanuel Macron as the Chief Guest.
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The parade begins when the President arrives, marked by a 21 Guns Salute using 7 cannons. Surprisingly, the timing of the salute matches the National Anthem. The cannons, made in 1941, are used in all formal army events.
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Preparations for the parade start at 2 AM, with participants arriving at
Rajpath by 3 AM.
Planning begins in July of the previous year, and participants practice for
600 hours before the event.
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A special camp near India Gate showcases
Tanks, Armored Vehicles, and modern military equipment.
The parade involves careful planning, with judges evaluating each group on
200 criteria.
The best marching group receives an award.
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Soldiers undergo four levels of checks, and their weapons are closely inspected. The tableaux in the parade move at a slow speed of about
5 km/hr.
The
"flypast"
is a highlight, with the
Western Airforce Command overseeing around 41 aircraft.
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The song
"Abide with Me"
was a tradition but has been removed. Soldiers usually march with INSAS rifles, but there might be changes this time.
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The Republic Day celebrations conclude with the Beating Retreat ceremony on
January 29th at Vijay Chowk,
featuring performances by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy bands. This marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations in India.
Who is the Guest for Republic Day 2024?
Republic Day 2024:
The special guest this year is
French President Emmanuel Macron.
Republic Day 2024 Interesting and Unknown facts about India’s Republic Day
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The Indian Constitution became effective on January 26, 1950, even though it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
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The constitution, with
444 articles, 22 parts, 12 schedules, and 118 amendments,
holds the record as the world's longest.
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The inaugural Republic Day parade in 1950 featured over 1
00 aircraft and 3,000 Indian military members
at the Irwin Amphitheater (now Major Dhyan Chand Stadium).
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In 1955,
the first parade at Rajpath had Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad of Pakistan as the chief guest.
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January 26 was chosen as Republic Day because, on this day in 1930, the Indian National Congress unveiled Purna Swaraj, rejecting British Dominion status.
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The first foreign head of state at the Republic Day celebrations was
Indonesian President Sukarno in 1950.
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Every participating military unit undergoes a rigorous four-layer assessment, including a thorough inspection of their equipment.
