Republic Day of India is celebrated across the country today. But when asked where the country's first Republic Day celebrations were held in Delhi, many would answer Raj path. But the show did not take place in Raj path. India's first Republic Day parade was held on January 26, 1950, at the Irwin Stadium in Delhi (now the National Stadium).
Between 1950-1954, Republic Day celebrations were held in Delhi, sometimes at Irwin Stadium, King's way Camp, Red Fort, and sometimes at Jamil Ground
The Republic Day parade first started in 1955 in Raj path.
Following this, the annual Republic Day celebrations are still held in the Raj path area. The Republic Day parade along this route will cover a distance of eight kilometers. The procession will end at the Red Fort via Raj path, India Gate, where the ceremony will be held from the Raisins Hill area where the Presidential Palace is located. From the Indian National Freedom Movement to the implementation of the Constitution in the country, January 26th has its significance.
On this day, at the Lahore Congress Conference, chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru, an important resolution was passed that if the British Government did not grant dominion status to India by January 26, 1930, India would be granted full Dominion status. However, the British administration did not heed the resolution, and at midnight on December 31, 1929, Congress declared full independence and launched a radical movement. It was followed by the hoisting of the tricolor flag for the first time at the Lahore Congress. Apart from this, it was decided to celebrate Purana Suraj Day on January 26 every year. In this way, January 26th has become the Independence Day of the country even before independence.
That is why January 26 was celebrated as Independence Day from that day until independence in 1947.
In 1950, Rajagopalachari, the first Governor-General of India, declared India a sovereign democratic republic on January 26 at 10.18 am. Six minutes later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of the Republic of India. After his inauguration at the Dunbar Arena in the then Government House and today's Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rajendra Prasad was honored with a gunshot wound at 10:30 am. That tradition has been maintained since the 70s. At 2.30 pm, the President's vehicle left the House of Commons for Irvine Grounds. The vehicle reached the hero-worship platform at around 4.45 pm around Conn aught Place, Delhi, and its environs. Then Rajendra Prasad rode in a chariot decorated with six Australian horses. At that time, 15,000 people came to see the main Republican parade at Irvine Stadium. In that vein, the first president of the modern republic, Irwin, hoisted the tricolor flag at the stadium and accepted the parade honor. Troops also took part in the march. In addition to the Navy, Infantry, Cavalry, and Service Regiment, seven AMIS of the Army took part in the parade. This historical tradition is still followed today.
Who was the special guest at the first Republic Day celebration?
Indonesian President Sukarno was the special guest at the first Republic Day celebrations. Not only this, for the first time on this day a national holiday was declared. Republic Day celebrations began in Kings-Way (present-day Raj path) in 1951, with the participation of many people. According to an old edition of the "Cynic News" magazine, for the first time at the Republic Day celebrations in 1951, four brave warriors were awarded the highest medal, the Parma Veer Chakra, for their unparalleled bravery.
The Beating Retreat Project has been running since 1952. One of its ceremonies took place in front of the Regal Theater and the other at the Red Fort. For the first time, a military band played Mahatma Gandhi's favorite song 'Stay with Me', followed by the same melody every year. In 1953 the first Republic Day parade included folk dances and fireworks. Firecrackers in turn exploded at Jamil ground. In the same year, citizens of the tribal communities of Tripura, Assam, and NEA (now Arunachal Pradesh) participated in the Republic Day celebrations.
In 1955, the Mushier tradition (singing event by poets) began on Republic Day at Diwali Amid, the Red Fort in Delhi. Then Mushier happened at 10 ten. The following year, the Poetry Association of 14 Languages aired for the first time on the radio. In 1956, five decorated elephants took part in the first Republic Day parade. Fearing that the elephants would be frightened by the noise of the plane, the elephants were brought before the military parade was over, and the folk dancers were on their way to the parade. Shenoy artists were sitting on elephants then.
Since 1958, electric lights have been lit in government buildings in the capital. For the first time since 1959, Air Force helicopters rained flowers on Republic Day celebrations. In 1960, for the first time in the parade, brave children were honored by being seated on an elephant boat and participating in the parade. But before this, the federal government had a tradition of honoring these types of minors.
That year, about 20 lakh people watched the Republic Day celebrations in the capital, of which five lakh gathered on both sides of the Raj path area.
That year, about 20 lakh people watched the Republic Day celebrations in the capital, of which five lakh gathered on both sides of the Ra path area.
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