Page 11 - Newsletter January 2021

Facts on Republic Day

India celebrated it’s first Republic Day in 1950 on the 26th of January. The country

got Independence in 1947, and then there was a constituent assembly formed for
making the Constitution. It took two years to make the Constitution by the constituent
assembly. It was finally completed on the 26th of November in 1949. To celebrate
72nd Republic Day here are some astonishing Facts about Republic Day.

● There are no printed copies of the Constitution of India. The Indian Constitutison
is only calligraphed

● The original copies of the Constitution of India are preserved in helium-filled
caskets at the Library of Parliament House.

● During the Republic Day Parade, a Christian hymn, ‘Abide With Me’ is played. The
hymn was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi

● President Sukarno, the first Head of State of Indonesia was the Chief Guest for
India’s first Republic Day.

● From 1950-54, Republic Day was celebrated at Irwin Stadium (now called National
Stadium), Red Fort, Ramlila Grounds and Kingsway.

● Republic Day was first celebrated at Rajpath in the year 1955.

● The first Chief Guest to attend the Rajpath Parade in 1955 was none other than

the first Governor-General of Pakistan, Malik Ghulam Mohammed.
● ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’, three concepts highlighted in the Indian

Constitution are inspired by the French Constitution.

● During the first Republic Day, the President of India was greeted by a 31 gun salute.

● The Indian Air Force came into existence as an independent body on Republic
Day. Prior to this, the Air Force was a controlled body.

Supriyo Sur, VII-C