India’s 62nd Republic Day :

Display of tradition

Ruwini Jayawardana

Celebrations in Sri Lanka

The Indian High Commission and the Indian expatriate community in Sri Lanka will celebrate the 62nd Indian Republic Day on January 26 at India House in Colombo.

T-90S battle tank passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade - 2011.

Indian High Commissioner Ashok K Kantha will unfurl the National Flag, which will be followed by a rendering of the National Anthem by female officials of the High Commission and the Indian community. The High Commissioner will inspect the Guard of Honour presented by the BSF contingent and will read out excerpts from the address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day by Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

The High Commissioner will also convey his greetings to Sri Lankans and will highlight the significant developments in the bilateral relationship last one year which included President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s state visit to India in June and in October for the closing ceremony of the Delhi Commonwealth Games and Indian External Affairs Minister’s visit in November.

The High Commissioner will host the Republic Day reception at India House for the leading dignitaries from the Government, diplomatic corps and eminent personalities form the field of business, art, culture, education, media and civil society that evening.

The Indian Cultural centre presented ‘Nalacharitham - 2nd Day’, a Kathakali performance from India at Ananda College Kularathne Hall, yesterday at 6.30 pm.

An eight member troupe led by P S V Natyasangam Kottakal from Kerala, India, performed. Cultural and Arts Affairs Minister T B Ekanayake was the Guest of Honour and Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Shri Ashok K Kantha also graced the occasion.

The troupe will also perform at the Galle Literary Festival, Galle, on January 27 at 6.30 pm, at Nupe Cultural Centre, Matara, on January 28 at 6.30 pm and at the Jaffna University Auditorium, Jaffna, on January 30 at 6.30 pm. The troupe’s visit is supported by the Culture and Arts Ministry.

Official celebrations

Last year Korean President Lee Myung bak took part in the event as Chief Guest. This year it is Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who was invited to take the key place by Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

To project its image as an aerospace power, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase a tableau modeled on the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) at this year’s Republic Day parade. The tableaux, would consist of a scaled down AWACS-fitted IL-76 aircraft as its base, with models of air superiority Su-30MKI fighters, newly inducted ‘Hawks’ Advanced Jet Trainers and the Rohini 3D radar.

At the Republic Day parade, the IAF’s marching contingent would comprise four officers and 144 airmen and a martial music band. There will also be a fly-past featuring helicopters Mi-17IV and Mi-35; transport aircraft IL-76, AN-32 and Dorniers; a tanker aircraft IL-78; fighters Su-30MKI, Jaguar and MiG-29. Army Aviation Corps’ Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters will also be part of the fly-past.

Indigenously developed supersonic fighter jet Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’ would be showcased for the first time in the Republic Day parade this year. The two-seater aircraft made its maiden flight from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bangalore on November 26 last year. ‘Tejas’, was handed over to the Indian Air Force by Defence Minister A K Antony after the Initial Operational Clearance on January 10.

Another noteworthy takes place on January 27 this year. A Prime Minister’s Rally is held by National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets which comprises dazzling performances and drill. A Sri Lankan Cadet Delegation including a Senior Officer, two Staff Officers and 12 x girl and boy cadets will take part in the Indian National Cadet Corps Camp 2011. Each Year cadets participate in the Indian Republic Day Celebration Camp under the Youth Exchange Program between SAARC countries.

Girls NCC Band of Birla Balika Vidyalaya Pilani participating at full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade - 2011, in New Delhi on January 23, 2011.

The city is glowing with enthusiasm and activity. Buildings are illuminated and routes to Rajpath and Red fort are infested with busy bodies as rehearsals go underway. Each heartbeats with patriotic fervour and there is delight in every smile. Soldiers, citizens and children from all walks of life and religions are brought on one stage as India to celebrates the 62nd Republic Day.

Each year on January 26 the citizens of India gather to celebrate the date that the Indian republic and its constitution came into force. Patriotic feelings will surface and many freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi will be remembered for the pains they took in trying to save their motherland from the clutches of colonialism. It may have taken years and many suffered in the campaigns but finally their dream became a reality in 1950 when India became a truly sovereign state and a totally republican unit.

The Indian Republic Day is celebrated with much fervour and joy today. Republic day events and functions are organized all over the country with the main event taking place in New Delhi spearheaded by the President. The event begins from Amar Jawan Jyoti at Rajpath on a reminiscing note with the citizens recalling the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives in the freedom movement. The Prime Minister lays a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in remembrance of all the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom. A 21 gun salute is presented and then the convoy of the Indian President accompanied by the Chief Guest of the celebration reaches to the venue. There the President hoists the Indian tri-color flag and the national anthem is played.

Just before the dazzling display of the nation’s military might, the President awards medals of bravery to the armed forces as a token of appreciation for their exceptional bravery in the battlefield. Some civilians too are selected to receive honours for the valour they showed in diverse sectors.

Then the annual parade takes to the street: from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. The winners of gallantry awards pass the President in open jeeps first followed by different regiments of the army, Air Force and Navy in all their finery and official decorations. Horses belonging to the cavalry too don their official colours and gallop according to the rhythm. It also showcases its latest acquisitions such as tanks, missiles, radars, etc. Helicopters from the armed forces fly past the parade area showering rose petals on the audience. The President who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces takes the salute at the parade.

Mahatma Gandhi

The soldiers are hand picked out of the cream of the cadets. Being elected to take part in the event is considered a great honour. School children too are eager to make their mark as only a handful is given an opportunity to take part in the official celebrations. It is not a matter of worrying about expenses or time. No stone is unturned and each passing second is dedicated to practising and seeing that things run smoothly for the big day.

Colourful pageant

A colourful pageant follows the march-past, drills and props of the parade. Different states of the country are represented in this feature. Each moving tableau has a story to tell from the daily lifestyle of the citizens to the entertainment scene of the region. Tableaus from various Indian government department and ministries take this opportunity to display the part they played towards the progress of the nation. Prominent figures, striking incidents, music, songs, folk dance and picturesque costumes are given central stage in these artistic constructions which depict the rich diversity of Indian culture. It highlights the festive aura of the occasion and is a beacon in displaying the hard work put into the project.

The focal point of the event is no doubt the moment when the children who had won National Bravery awards ride past the dais on elephants. The fly past with Indian Air Force fighter planes roaring past the dais marks the conclusion of the parade.

The ‘Lok Tarang, - National Folk Dance Festival’ organized by the Indian Cultural Ministry in association with seven Zonal Cultural Centres will be held from January 24 to 29. It showcases India’s rich folkdance culture to the public.

Curtains fall on the three-day Republic Day celebrations with the Beating the Retreat program on the eve of January 29.

Bands of the three forces perform at the event which concludes with a solo performance by the drummers followed by the drummers playing Abide With Me and a bugle call for Retreat.

After the President had granted the permission for the band master to take the bands away, the bands march back playing a popular martial tune Saare Jahan Se Achcha. The festive atmosphere concludes with the bugles sound at exactly 6 pm. Then the National Flag is lowered and the National Anthem is sung amid the dusk setting in.

The Republic Day is considered as the people’s day in many ways. What appeals most in the event is the universal appeal of unity and brotherhood projected by the Indians. The Indian constitution basically stands of the aspirations which the common citizen of India cherishes. It is the day that the common man is entitled to be all supreme.