NEW DELHI: India is celebrating its 72nd Republic day in a rather muted fashion due to the Covid19 pandemic.
For the first time in several decades, the event will not have a Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade due to the global situation arising out of the pandemic.
The marching contingents will also be smaller in size and fewer spectators will be present to witness the event at Rajpath.
Additionally, farmers who have been protesting against the Centre’s farm laws will also be taking out tractor rallies in the capital.
Republic Day is a national holiday in India. However, schools celebrate the day with patriotic zeal and enthusiasm, with students and teachers organising cultural programmes and performances to make the day memorable.
The Constitution of India, which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, came into effect on January 26, 1950. This completed India’s movement towards becoming an independent republic with a democratic government system.
January 26 was also selected as the day to mark Republic Day because it had been on this day that the Indian National Congress (INC) proclaimed the Declaration of Indian Independence in 1929. This was opposite to the ‘dominion’ status offered by the British.
