Celebrating Republic Day with Unbelievable Moments In India

The Republic Day is celebrated in India on 26 January every year. The day marks the sovereignty of the country, as on this day in 1950 the Constitution of India was adopted. The signature celebration of the event is the Republic Day Parade, which is held in the capital city, New Delhi.

This year, the US President Barack Obama will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. It will be Obama's second visit to India, making him the first US President to visit the country twice during his presidential tenure. It will also be the first time when India will receive an American President as a chief guest on 26 January. Obama's wife, Michelle Obama and some other senior officials from the US will also accompany him during this visit.

It is expected that 1.25 lakh people, i.e., about 25,000 more than the usual will witness the grand Republic Day parade this year. Also, it is likely that the number of tableaux which participate in the parade may increase to 25 from 20. The duration of the parade may also extend to the usual two hours.

Significance of Republic Day

The Republic Day is celebrated as the day when India became a democratic republic. It was on 26 January 1950 that the Constitution of India was brought into force as the governing document of India that replaced the Government of India Act 1935.

The day also has significance as the declaration of Indian independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress on 26 January 1930.

Republic Day Date and Timing

The Republic Day 2015 will be celebrated on 26 January. This day will be observed as a national holiday. All the public offices and schools will remain closed to celebrate the spirit of patriotism on this day.

Republic Day Celebrations

The entire nation comes alive with patriotic fervour on this day, but the principal celebration of the Republic Day takes place in the national capital, New Delhi from 9 a.m. and continues for about three hours. This historic occasion becomes a national festival with the involvement of people from all over the country. The day symbolises the unity of the nation as it brings together people from different castes, creed, religions and regions to celebrate the day with the pride of being an Indian. 

The celebration takes place at the Rajpath with great enthusiasm and pride, which can be experienced by any individual as the Republic Day Parade is a ticketed event. The tickets for the same can be bought a couple of weeks before the event.

Republic Day celebrations across the country

Apart from the grand celebrations in the capital, the Republic Day is also celebrated in different parts of the country at different levels, such as in cities, district headquarters, panchayats, schools and offices.

In Mumbai, people attend Republic Day Parade at Shivaj Park or Marine Drive.

In Bangalore, people celebrate Republic Day at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, which holds a parade and cultural fair.

In Kolkata, people enjoy the Republic Day parade held along the Red Road.

In Chennai, Republic Day celebrations take place at Marina Beach and Kamaraj Salai.

Beating Retreat

The Republic Day celebration ends officially with the Beating Retreat ceremony, which is held on the 29 January every year. The Indian Air Force, the India Navy, and the Indian Army at the Raisina Hill, New Delhi become a part of this ceremony in front of the President of India.

Republic Day Parade

The grandeur of the Republic Day of India is visible in the grand parade that is held along Rajpath, beginning from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan and ending at India Gate.

The occasion witnesses the presence of the President, the Prime Minister and several other high-ranking officials of the country. The parade starts when the Prime Minister of India offers wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate, in memory of the martyrs of the Indian army.

The national flag is unfurled by the President of India, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. This is succeeded by the cheerful tune of the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute.

The different regiments of Navy, Army and Air Force display their might along the Rajpath, saluting the President. The Armed Forces staff perform motorcycle rides whereas the staff of the Indian Air Force perform flying parade in fighter planes. 

The rich and colourful culture of India is showcased in the parade of the Republic Day. Traditional as well as cultural performances are given by professionals belonging to different regions. School children in picturesque costumes also participate in the display of different aspects of the glorious history of the country on this big day.

The real heroes of the nation are honoured with the bravery awards and medals. National Awards are given to children for selfless sacrifice and bravery. 

A row of IAF jets marks the end of the grand celebration, leaving behind a trail of coloured smoke. It bids goodbye to the gathered audience by lavishing rose petals on them.

Chobi Mela, One of the Top International Photography Festival In The World

Chobi Mela, the largest photography biennale in Asia, will launch its eighth edition in the capital on January 23 and will run until February 5, 2015. The international festival is jointly organised by Drik Picture Library Ltd and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute.
 

The 8th installation of Chobi Mela, Asia’s first and largest photography festival, opens today in Dhaka, Bangladesh and runs until 5th February. This year’s programme, with the theme of “Intimacy,” features more than 30 photographers from 22 countries.

Unbelievable And Amazing Festival In India....Lohri!!

Amidst the freezing cold weather, with the temperature wobbling between 0-5 degrees Celsius and the dense fog outside, everything seems stagnant in the northern part of India. However, below the apparently frozen surface, you would be amazed to find a palpable wave of activity going on. People, especially in the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh, are busy making preparations for Lohri — the long-awaited bonfire festival — when they can come out of their homes and celebrate the harvesting of the Rabi (winter) crops and give in to relaxing and enjoying the traditional folk songs and dances.

Significance

In Punjab, the breadbasket of India, wheat is the main winter crop, which is sown in October and harvested in March or April. In January, the fields come up with the promise of a golden harvest, and farmers celebrate Lohri during this rest period before the cutting and gathering of crops.

According to the Hindu calendar, Lohri falls in mid-January. The earth, farthest from the sun at this point of time, starts its journey towards the sun, thus ending the coldest month of the year, Paush, and announcing the start of the month of Magh and the auspicious period of Uttarayan. According to the Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna manifests himself in his full magnificence during this time. The Hindus 'nullify' their sins by bathing in the Ganges.

Customs & Legends 

In the morning on Lohri day, children go from door to door singing and demanding the Lohri 'loot' in the form of money and eatables like til (sesame) seeds, peanuts, jaggery, or sweets like gajak, rewri, etc. They sing in praise of Dulha Bhatti, a Punjabi avatar of Robin Hood who robbed the rich to help the poor, and once helped a miserable village girl out of her misery by getting her married off like his own sister.

The Bonfire Ritual 

In the evening, with the setting of the sun, huge bonfires are lit in the harvested fields and in the front yards of houses and people gather around the rising flames, circle around (parikrama) the bonfire and throw puffed rice, popcorn and other munchies into the fire, shouting "Aadar aye dilather jaye" (May honor come and poverty vanish!), and sing popular folk songs. This is a sort of prayer to Agni, the fire god, to bless the land with abundance and prosperity. After the parikrama, people meet friends and relatives, exchange greetings and gifts, and distribute prasad (offerings made to god). The prasad comprises five main items: til, gajak, jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn. Winter savories are served around the bonfire with the traditional dinner of makki-di-roti (multi-millet hand-rolled bread) and sarson-da-saag (cooked mustard herbs).

Song & Dance

Bhangra dance by men begins after the offering to the bonfire. Dancing continues till late night with new groups joining in amid the beat of drums. Traditionally, women do not join Bhangra. They hold a separate bonfire in their courtyard orbiting it with the graceful gidda dance.

The 'Maghi' Day

The day following Lohri is called 'Maghi', signifying the beginning of the month of Magh. According to Hindu beliefs, this is an auspicious day to take a holy dip in the river and give away charity. Sweet dishes (usually kheer) are prepared with sugar cane juice to mark the day.

Exhibition of Exhuberance 

Lohri is more than just a festival, especially for the people of Punjab. Punjabis are a fun-loving, sturdy, robust, energetic, enthusiastic and jovial race, and Lohri is symbolic of their love for celebrations and light-hearted flirtations and exhibition of exuberance.

A Celebration of Fertility

Lohri celebrates fertility and the joy of life, and in the event of the birth of a male child or a marriage in the family, it assumes a larger significance wherein the host family arranges for a feast and merry-making with the traditional bhangra dance along with rhythm instruments, like the dhol and the gidda. The first Lohri of a new bride or a newborn baby is considered extremely important.

Thanksgiving & Get-together!

Nowadays, Lohri brings in an opportunity for people in the community to take a break from their busy schedule and get together to share each other's company. In other parts of India, Lohri almost coincides with the festivals of Pongal, Makar Sankranti, and Uttarayan all of which communicate the same message of oneness and celebrates the spirit of brotherhood, while thanking the Almighty for a bountiful life on earth.

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Reference: hinduism.about.com