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On Republic Day regional identity gives way to
national identity. Neither caste, creed nor religion matter. What
is predominant is the Indianness of the people.
Two events are associated
with India’s freedom from colonial rule. One is Independence Day
(15th August) and the other, Republic Day (26th
January). The former is a historical even when India gained
independence in 1947 and freed herself from the foreign yoke after a
protracted campaign for freedom, whereas the latter bestowed
historicity on the day when India became a Sovereign Democratic
Republic with a constitution to guide her destiny.
Republic Day reminds us
of the fulfillment of the pledge that was made on the midnight of
Independence as a “tryst with destiny”. It is
future-oriented, a vision of India that we nourish, an acceptance of
responsibility and making of promises as well as recapitulation of
the achievements. The act of framing the Constitution puts a
spotlight on B.R. Ambedkar whose indefatigable labour and sharp
insights helped the preparation of the document.
The difference in
significance marks the variation in the pattern of celebration of
these two national days. On Independence Day, the past is recalled
whereas, on Republic Day, the pledge is renewed. Independence Day
has rhetoric built in the celebration; Republic Day is without
speeches. It is the only ceremony in which rhetoric is in the
background and visuals are given priority.
Republic Day is
celebrated all over the country at all the administrative units like
the capital cities, district headquarters, sub divisions, talukas,
and panchayats. The major ceremonies at Delhi and the state
capitals revolve around the parade in which all the defence services
police contingents, Home guards and Civil Defence, NCC, school
children and cultural troupes participate followed by a display of
tableaux and folk dances.
The celebration mood
lasts for one week. It consists of the ground preparations,
rehearsals, the main display and spills over to the ‘Beating of
Retreat’ on January 29, a day before Martyrs Day which marks the
assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The mass media, All India Radio,
Doordarshan and TV channels are agog with a variety of programmes.
The day has acquired the
status of a social celebration in which people participate
whole-heartedly as spectators. The celebrational mosaic is studded
with activities. Though the parade is the main ceremony, various
activities spill over from early morning when prabhat pheris
(morning rounds) are held followed by a homage to Gandhi. The parade
is succeeded by sports events in the afternoon. ‘At Home’
functions at the Raj Bhavan, at the District Magistrate’s and at
the SDM’s are followed by illumination of public buildings of
the state capitals and administrative headquarters.
It is a people’s day
in more senses than one. Firstly, the constitution whose
promulgation is celebrated is highly symbolic of the aspirations
which ‘we the people of India’ cherish. It ushered in a
social revolution silently by changing the status of the individual
from a subject of a colonial empire to a citizen of a free country.
It laid down the method of governance and established the
relationship of the citizen to the state. It endeavours to secure
justice, liberty, equality and fraternity and assures the dignity of
the individual by conferring fundamental rights upon the citizen.
With one stroke, it abolished all distinctions of status, rank,
creed, colour and sex. It outlawed untouchability, an abominable
social practice that had created discrimination and tensions in
society.
Secondly, much of the
social change consequent upon the new legislation has its roots in
the Directive Principles of State Policy. The Constitution is the
Supreme law. Hence Republic Day is sacrosanct as its significance is
deep-rooted. India at present owes its programmes to the
Constitution. She can build her future on the basis of the tenets
enshrined therein.
Thirdly, it is a day of
the citizen of the country when he is supreme. Symbolically, he can
fly the national flag on his vehicle and at the top of his house. It
is a great privilege.
Fourthly, it is a paid
holiday when everyone has a right to celebrate, enjoy, relax. No
wonder the mood is festive and recreational. Picnics are common, a
movie with a message is telecast besides the parade on Rajpath in
Delhi and the patriotic group songs with visuals.
Republic Day is gradually
acquiring the celebrational status as that of the 4th of
July in USA. The celebrations are universal, total and
participatory, children take part in a big way. Variations in
culture are displayed through colourful attires and folk dances. The
traditional predominates along with a touch of modernity reflected in
the display of might (latest defence gadgetry and acquisitions),
technology and capabilities of growth in various sectors. The parade
symbolizes the might; the tableaux are predominated by cultural
motifs. The touch of the local highlights the identity of the area.
The celebration is thus a homage to the past, the region and the
nation that is a true republic and imposes nothing.
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