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Ceremonies
Destination
Guide to India's States and Territories
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Gandhi
Jayanti The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the
nation, is celebrated with reverence all over the country.
He is the man who
played a significant role in achiveing independence for India from
the British Empire with his simplicity and strong will power.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as 'Bapu' or 'Father of the
nation', was born on the 2nd of October in 1869, in Porbunder,
Gujrat. He studied law
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in U.K and practiced law
in South Africa. But he left his profession and returned to India to join the
Indian freedom struggle.
Gandhiji was a preacher of
truth and 'Ahimsa'(non-violence).He started the 'Satyagraha'
movement for the Indian freedom struggle. He believed in living a
simple life and in 'Swadeshi'. He proved to the world that freedom
can be achieved through the path of non-violence. Gandhiji is a
symbol of peace and truth.
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On
this day, the President and Prime Minister, along with other eminent
political leaders, pay homage at Raj Ghat - the samadhi of Mahatma
Gandhi. All the offices and schools, throughout the country, remain
closed on this day.
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Republic
Day
Republic Day is India's great national festival. It is celebrated every year on
January 26, in New Delhi with great pomp and pageant and in capitals of the
States, as well as at other headquarters and important places with patriotic
fervour.
A little background
It was the Lahore Session of the
Indian National Congress at midnight of December 31, 1929 - January 1, 1930,
that the Tri-Colour Flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge taken
that every year on January 26, the "Independence Day" would be celebrated and
that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a Sovereign
Democratic Republic of India. The professed pledge was successfully redeemed on
January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India framed by the Constituent
Assembly of India came into force, although the Independence from the British
rule was achieved on August 15, 1947.
It is because of this that August
15 is celebrated as Independence Day, while January 26 as Republic Day.
The
most spectacular celebrations include the march past of the three armed Forces,
massive parades, folk dances by tribal folk from the different states in
picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India. Further, the streak of
jet planes of Indian Air Force, leaving a trial of coloured smoke, marks the end
of the festival. The trees on both sides of the routes and the lawns become
alive with spectators.
The President of India at New Delhi, on this most
colourful day, takes salute of the contingents of Armed Forces. In the States,
the Governors take the salute, and in Taluqas and administrative headquarters on
same procedure is adopted. At Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, three days later (i.e.
29th January) the massed bands of the Armed Forces "Beat the Retreat" in a
majestic manner.
The Republic Day celebrations have rightly become world
famous as one of the greatest shows on earth drawing thousands of eager
sight-seers from all over the country and many parts of the world. No other
country can draw on such a wealth of tribal traditions and cultures, so many
regional forms of dances and dress. And, no other country in the world can
parade so many ethnically different people in splendid uniforms as India's Armed
Forces. But they are all united in their proven loyalty to the Government
elected by the people and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry.
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