<div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-size:15px;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>Indian Republic Day is commemorated every year on 26th of January. A republic state means that there is no King, Monarch, or any single authoritarian leader in charge. On Republic Day, the President of India addresses the nation.<br>India is called a Republic because its head, the President, is an elected individual. The President of India is elected by the representatives of the parliament. And the representatives, who are elected by the citizens, have the power to take decisions on citizens’ behalf.<br>Why 26th January? In 1930, that was the day when the Declaration of Indian Independence was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress. It took us 17 years of continued struggle, resistance, and countless hurdles, before we got our independence, from the British Raj, on August 15th, 1947. <br>How did the Constitution come into effect? India, the young, just-free nation, did not have a permanent constitution in 1947. We still had the legacy of kings and the British governor general – Lord Mountbatten. We were running on laws based on the colonial Government of India Act of 1935. <br>On 29th August, 1947, a Drafting Committee was set up, with Dr. B R Ambedkar as chairman to draft a permanent constitution for independent India. The Assembly met for 166 days spanning two years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution on 26th November, 1949.<br>On January 26th, 1950, the Indian constitution came into effect, officially declaring India as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. Dr. Rajendra Prasad began his first term of office as the President of India.<br>The Republic Day parade: The Republic Day parade is organized by the Ministry of Defence – showcasing India’s Defence Capability, Cultural and Social Heritage. It is a spectacular showcase of our country’s military might.<br>The Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force conduct a march past in their official decorations. This epic march of the armed forces is the official show of being a Republic nation.<br>The President of India, the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. <br><br></p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-size:15px;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>The Beating Retreat ceremony is held to officially denote the end of the Republic Day festivities. It is concluded on the third day of the Republic Day, January 29th. The President is escorted by the President’s Bodyguard (PBG), a cavalry unit. <br>Padma Awards: On the eve of the Republic Day, The President of India confers the Padma Awards to the civilians of India every year. These are the second highest civilian awards in India after Bharat Ratna. They are given in three categories.<br>Padma Vibhushan: For exceptional and distinguished service<br>Padma Bhushan: For distinguished service of a high order<br>Padma Sri: For distinguished service<br><br>To foster emotions of pride and patriotism, let us participate in person and in spirit and do our bit to strengthen India’s Republic and Democratic values. <br>Jai Hind!<br><br></p><span></div>