73rd Republic Day 2022

In News

• India has celebrated the 73rd Republic Day today as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commemorating 75 years of independence. 

Why Is Republic Day Celebrated on 26th January In India?

• India adopted the Constitution of India: On January 26, 1950, giving the day a special place in the history of India.
• When India got freedom from British rule on August 15, 1947: Through peaceful non-violence and civil disobedience movements, it needed an iron-clad document to run a country.
• January 26, 1950, was the golden day: when India became a democratic governing nation.
• On November 26, 1949: the Constitution of India was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly, and it came into force on January 26, 1950.
• Purna Swaraj: The reason why January 26 was chosen as the Republic Day was that on this day in the year 1930, Indian National Congress (INC) proclaimed the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) rejecting the Dominion status offered by the British Regime.

Significance of the Constitution of India

• The Constitution of India: is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world.
• Dr BR Ambedkar: was the principal architect behind drafting the framework of the Indian Constitution.
• After the adoption of the Constitution: the Union of India became the contemporary Republic of India replacing the Government of India Act, of 1935.
• According to the Constitution of India: “It declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavors to promote fraternity among them.”
• As the people adopt the Constitution of India: it can never be upturned by parliamentary supremacy.

Major Highlights

• It has been decided that the Republic Day celebrations will now be week-long from January 23-30 every year.
  • The celebrations will commence on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and culminate on 30th January, which is observed as Martyrs’ Day.
• Many unique initiatives:
  • Several firsts planned during the main parade include the launch of ‘Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman’ programme by National Cadet Corps;
  • A grand flypast by 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force;
  • Cultural performances by 480 dancers selected through a nationwide Vande Bharatam dance competition;
  • Display of ten scrolls each of 75 meters prepared during the ‘Kala Kumbh’ event.
  • A drone show by 1,000 indigenously developed drones has been planned for ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, along with projection mapping.
• COVID safeguards
  • Only double vaccinated adults/one dose vaccinated children of 15 years and above will be allowed entry at the parade.
  • Children below 15 years of age will not be permitted.
  • All social distancing norms will be followed and wearing of masks is compulsory.
  • No foreign contingent will be participating this year in view of the pandemic.
• Indian Army Contingents
  • The Indian Army will be represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, 14 Mechanized Columns, six marching contingents and a fly past by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) of Army Aviation.
  • One Tank PT-76 & Centurion (On Tank Transporters) & two MBT Arjun MK-I, one APC TOPAS & BMP-I (On Tank Transporter) & Two BMP-II, one 75/24 Towed Gun (On Vehicle) & two Dhanush Gun System, one PMS Bridge & Two Sarvatra Bridge System, one HT-16 (On Vehicle) & two Tarang Shakti Electronic Warfare System, one Tiger Cat Missile & two Akash Missile System will be the main attraction in the mechanized columns.
  • A total of six marching contingents of the Army will be there including the Rajput Regiment, the Assam Regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Light Regiment, the Sikh Light Regiment, the Army Ordnance Corps and the Parachute Regiment.
• Indian Navy Contingent
  • Naval Tableau which is designed with the aim to showcase the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy and highlight the key inductions under ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. The ongoing ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ also finds a special mention in the tableau.
• Indian Air Force Contingent
  • The tableau showcases scaled down models of MiG-21, Gnat, Light Combat Helicopter and Rafale aircraft, as well as the Aslesha radar.
• DRDO Tableaux
  • The tableaux are titled ‘Suite of Indigenously Developed Sensors, Weapons and Electronic Warfare Systems for LCA Tejas’ and ‘Air Independent Propulsion System’ developed for the submarines of the Indian Navy.
  • The first tableau will display an indigenously-developed Advanced Electronically Scanned Array Radar; five different aerial launched weapons and an Electronic Warfare Jammer to further enhance the capabilities of fourth generation LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas.
• Dark horse steals the show at Republic Day parade
  • One of the President’s Bodyguards (PBG) was the center of attention. The guard was none other than an elite dark-bay coloured horse named Virat, who retired soon after the parade.
• Tableaux
  • Tableaux of 12 States/Union Territories and nine Ministries/Departments, which have been prepared on various themes under ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

Tableaux of Ministries/Departments

Source: PIB