India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos

In India, Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950.

President Rajendra Prasad arrives in his horse-drawn presidential carriage for India's First Republic Day parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26th, 1950 Rare Photos)

The date of 26 January was chosen to honour the declaration of independence of 1930. It is one of the three national holidays in India. While the main parade takes place in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India, the anniversary is also celebrated with varying degrees of formality in state capitals and other centres.

INDIA'S FIRST REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS, JAN 26, 1950 RARE PHOTOS

India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos 1

Indonesian President Sukarno at India's First Republic Day Celebrations in 1950 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, photographed signing the Constitution of the Indian Republic (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

(India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

President Dr Rajendra Prasad taking salute at the Irwin Stadium, Delhi, on January 26, 1950 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Soldiers line near Old Fort for the India's First Republic Day celebration on January 26, 1950 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Left to Right: Army Chief KM Cariappa, Navy Chief Admiral Sir Edward Parry, Defence Minister Baldev Singh and Air Chief Marshal Sir T W Elmhirst during the Republic Day celebration in 1950 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

The three defence services during a march at India's First Republic Day Parade at the Red Fort ground. The Parade covered a 24-km route, including Red Fort and Walled City areas (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Cadets preparing for a gun salute at the Old Fort on 26 January, 1950 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

The last Governor General of India C Rajagopalachari (second from right) shakes hands with Air Marshall Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst at India's first Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

President Dr Rajendra Prasad takes salute on January 26, 1950 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

President Rajendra Prasad (centre) and C Rajagopalachari, the last governor-general of India at a ceremony (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

From left: Field Marshall KM Cariappa, Air Marshall Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst and Defence Minister Baldev Singh at India's First Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Dignitaries at India's First Republic Day parade included diplomat Vijayalakshmi Pandit (fourth from right), Health Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, India's first Defence Minister, Baldev Singh, and Law Minister BR Ambedkar, among others (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Security personnel on the roof of VIP stands at India's First Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Film Divison of India videographing India's First Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

On January 26, 1950, the 34th and last Governor-General of India Chakravarti Rajagopalachari read out a proclamation announcing the birth of the Republic of India. The Constitution of India came into effect, declaring India as a sovereign, democratic and secular state. Until this day, India was a dominion under the British Commonwealth acknowledging George VI as King and Emperor. Dr Rajendra Prasad (in picture, right) took oath as the President of the new republic (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

The National Stadium lit up on the occasion of India's first Republic Day parade in 1950. The National Stadium, which was called the Irwin Stadium, was the starting point of the India's First Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Dr Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Constituent Assembly of India, signing a copy of the new Constitution of the Indian Republic at the Constitution Hall, now known as the Central Hall of Parliament, in New Delhi (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

The presidential cavalcade getting ready for India's First Republic Day Parade at Rajpath next to India Gate (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

The Army Band performing at India's First Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

First march In a horse-drawn carriage, President Rajendra Prasad readies to take part in the India's First Republic Day parade on Rajpath, New Delhi (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Sheikh Abdullah of Kashmir, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (third from left), Health Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Indira Gandhi at India's first Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

India's First Republic Day Parade on 26 January 1950, was held at the ground where the National Stadium stands today with the Purana Quila in the background. It was only after this that its venue shifted to India Gate (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Army vehicles and battle tanks, part of the India's First Republic Day Parade, pass through Chandni Chowk in the Walled city (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Senior Defence officials at India's First Republic Day Parade (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru with Defence Minister Baldev Singh at India's first Republic Day Parade of Independent India at the Rajpath in 1950 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India signing the Constitution of India in 1950, who also hoisted the flag for the Declaration of Independence in Lahore in 1929 (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

President of India, Rajendra Prasad, inspecting India's First Republic Day Parade at Rajpath (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

The ceremonial ride of Dr Rajendra Prasad through Vijay Chowk upon becoming the first President of India (India's First Republic Day Celebrations, Jan 26, 1950 Rare Photos)

FOR REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA CELEBRATIONS JANUARY 26, 1952 RARE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE...

HISTORY

India became independent of the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. India did not have a permanent constitution at this time. The drafting committee presented the constitution's first draft to the national assembly on November 4, 1947. The national assembly signed the final English and Hindi language versions of the constitution on January 24, 1950.

India's constitution came into effect on Republic Day, January 26, 1950. This date was chosen as it was the anniversary of Purna Swaraj Day, which was held on January 26, 1930.The constitution gave India's citizens the power to govern themselves by choosing their own government. Dr Rajendra Prasad took oath as India's first president at the Durbar Hall in the Government House, followed by a residential drive along a route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled India's national flag. Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor across India.

REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION

Much effort is put towards organizing events and celebrations that occur on Republic Day in India. Large military parades are held in New Delhi and the state capitals. Representatives of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and traditional dance troupes take part in the parades.

A grand parade is held in New Delhi and the event starts with India's prime minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, to remember soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. India's president takes the military salute during the parade in New Delhi while state governors take the military salutes in state capitals. A foreign head of state is the president's chief guest on Republic Day.

Awards and medals of bravery are given to the people from the armed forces and also to civilians. Helicopters from the armed forces then fly past the parade area showering rose petals on the audience. School children also participate in the parade by dancing and singing patriotic songs. Armed Forces personnel also showcase motorcycle rides. The parade concludes with a "fly past" by the Indian Air Force, which involves fighter planes of flying past the dais, symbolically saluting the president. These leave trails of smoke in the colors of the Indian flag.

There are many national and local cultural programs focusing on the history and culture of India. Children have a special place in these programs. Many children receive gifts of sweets or small toys. A prime minister's rally also takes place around this time of the year, as well as the Lok Tarang – National Folk Dance Festival, which occurs annually from January 24-29.

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2 Comments

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