Republic Day is the name of a holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they became republics. In India, Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into force--on 26 January 1950--replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. It is one of three national holidays in India. The new constitution, as drafted and approved by the Constituent Assembly of India, was mandated to take effect on 26 January 1950--and India became a republic. While India's Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution. The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India. Celebrations are also held with varying degrees of formality in state capitals, where the governor of the state unfurls the National Flag of India.

India gained its independence on 15 August 1947, after which the process of preparing a constitution was started. The Constitution was passed on 26 November 1949 in the Constituent Assembly. It was adopted on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, when the country became a republic in true sense. 26 January was selected, because it was this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence was passed.

To mark this occasion, a grand parade is held near Rajpath in New Delhi, the capital of India, beginning from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort in the old quarter of the city. Different infantry, cavalry and mechanized regiments compose the Indian Army, the Indian Marines and the Indian Air Force's march in formation, who are decked in all their finery and official decorations.

The President of India, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, relishes the salute. The Chief Guest of the parade is the Head of State or Head of Government of another nation. The parade also includes many traditional dance troupes, to symbolize the cultural heritage of India. It traditionally ends with a colourful flypast by Indian Air Force jets in a tiranga formation. Similar parades are held in the capitals of all the states of India, where the governors of respective states take the salute. The official conclusion of Republic Day festivities is much later on 29 January, three days after the Republic Day, which is called 'Beating Retreat'.

Source: Wikipedia

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