Republic Day is the name of a public holiday that is observed in several countries to commemorate the day when they first became republics. Some of these are former Commonwealth kingdoms in which the British rulers were the head of state until the change of status to a republican nation.
India too was a British Colony and was ruled by the British rulers and was subjected to the atrocities of the British rulers for a long time. India after a long freedom struggle succeeded in achieving independence on 15th August 1947. The nation became a republic on 236th January 1950 when the Indian constitution was adopted and India had its own rules and regulations and its own constitution. Since then Indians celebrate Republic Day on 26th January beery year.
To mark this grand occasion of national importance, a magniloquent parade is held in New Delhi which is the Capital of India.The parade begins from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan and reaches the historic Red Fort situated in the old quarter of the city passing along the Rajpath, and India Gate.
Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force with its different infantry, cavalry and mechanized regiments march in formation. The officers and soldiers are all adorned in their fine official decorations. The President of India, who is the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. The Chief Guest of the parade every year is some foreign delegate who is a Head of another nation. The parade includes many traditional dance troupes, which reflects the cultural heritage of India. It traditionally ends with a colorful aerial display by Air Force jets in a tricolor formation. Similar parades are held in the capitals of all the states of India, where the Governor of the respective state takes the salute.
The official conclusion of the Republic Day festivities takes place on the evening of January 29, i.e. three days after Republic Day. This ceremony is called Beating the Retreat.
