Republic Day is a day of pride and honor for every Indian citizen. After centuries under Britishers rule, we attained independence on 15 August 1947, but after two and a half years of independence of the country, i.e. on 26 January 1950, India became an independent republic.

On Republic Day, celebrations held across the country but the main celebration held at the nation’s capital, Delhi at Rajpath, India Gate. Parades by the Army, Navy, and Air force, state tableau, a dance performance by the school children are some of the ways in which republic day is celebrated. Also the PM, and the Chiefs of the three Armed forces reach the Amar Jawan Jyoti before the parade on Rajpath to pay tribute to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti.

On the occasion of Republic Day, Why PM and President pay tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti? What is the Significance of Amar Jawan Jyoti?

Amar Jawan Jyoti is an Indian memorial constructed after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 to commemorate the martyred and unknown soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who died during the war. Amar Jawan Jyoti consists of a marble pedestal on which a cenotaph is situated. “Amar Jawan” (Immortal Soldier) is scripted in gold on all four sides of the cenotaph and on top, an L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle stands on its barrel with a helmet of the Unknown Soldier on top. The pedestal is bound by four urns, one of which holds a continuously burning flame. (Source: Wikipedia)

 Amar Jawan Jyoti was inaugurated in the year 1979 by the then PM Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi paid tribute to the martyred soldiers on the occasion of 23^rd Republic Day. Since then, it became a tradition for the Prime Minister and the President to pay tribute to the martyrs here on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day.

A rifle is placed in the middle of the Amar Jawan Jyoti monument, on which a soldier’s helmet is mounted. The rifle and cap symbolize the soldiers who lost their lives during the Indo-Pak war.

Amar Jawan Jyoti is managed by Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. Here, soldiers are posted 24*7. On the respective service day, the Chief of the  Defence Staff, along with the Army Chief, Navy Chief, and Air Force Chief visits the monument to pay tribute to the Fallen Heroes of the Nation.

One of the unique features of Amar Jawan Jyoti is that it has four urns on all four corners of the Memorial having flames in it. One of these flames keeps burning throughout the year as a tribute to martyred soldiers.

From 2020 onwards, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, pays tribute to soldiers at the National War Memorial instead of India Gate on the occasion of Republic Day. The National War Memorial inaugurated by Narendra Modi on 25 February to honor all known martyrs (post-independence) of the Indian Armed Forces with their names written in ‘Golden letters and, with the igniting of the eternal flame of Jawans “Amar Jawan Jyoti”.

He said, Glad to launch the revamped #GallantryAwards Web Portal today. The website (https://gallantryawards.gov.in ) has been designed and developed to display the information on Gallantry Awards and the Awardees post-independence. Please visit the website and share your feedback with us.

While launching the Gallantry awards web portal, he said India has faced many challenges and wars with neighboring countries since its Independence, and in all the adverse conditions, our brave soldiers sacrificed their lives protecting the dignity and sovereignty of the nation.

About Gallantry Awards Web Portal

Gallantry Awards portal is an epic online platform in India that honours the indomitable spirit of Indian Bravehearts. It aims to serve as a one-stop virtual platform to holistically showcase and celebrate the bravery of the Gallantry Awardees of India.

Republic Day is a day of pride and honour for every Indian citizen. After years of slavery, we attained independence on 15 August 1947, and two and a half years after the independence of the country, on 26 January 1950, the masters of the country implemented the new constitution of India, since then, the supreme ruler of India is called the President.

The date 26 January has its own importance in the history of freedom struggle. At the Lahore session of Congress on the banks of Ravi River in 1930, the late Shri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru declared complete independence. On 26 January 1930, he pledged that “Our freedom struggle movement will continue till we attain complete independence.” To achieve this, we will sacrifice our lives. “For this reason, 26 January was the day chosen to announce the Republic of India. On this day we became completely independent, on that day Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of our nation in place of Lord Mountbatten (Governor-General).

We all celebrate Republic Day but do we know the right meaning of Republic? Republic Day means the right of people living in the country to elect their representatives as political leaders. After much struggle with our leaders and freedom fighters, we got independence and made our own constitution. In which the basic duties, rules, and laws of all citizens are mentioned. Indian constitution has some basic features that make it unique from others.

1. The original copies of the Indian Constitution, written in Hindi and English.

2. The original Constitution of India was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.

3. The constitution took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to come up with the final draft.

4. When the draft was prepared and put for debate and discussion, over 2000 amendments were made, before it was finalized. 

5. The Indian Constitution is the longest of any sovereign country in the world

India is going to celebrate its 70th Republic day on 26th January 2019. It is a day to remember as India’s constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, completing the country’s transition toward becoming an independent nation. 26 January is chosen as date as it was the Anniversary of Purna Swaraj Day, which was held on January 26, 1930.

Republic means the constitution gave India’s citizens the power to govern themselves by choosing their own government. People have the right to elect their representatives. Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor across India. The day represents the true color of independent India. A spectacular and vibrant parade is held in New Delhi where India’s prime minister lays wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, to remember soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. A foreign head of state is the president’s chief guest on Republic Day.

This year, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the event. Awards and medals of bravery are given to the people from the armed forces and to civilians. Tableaux from various states and central government departments on developmental, cultural and historical themes showcased in Republic Day parade. Three wings of defence, Army, Navy and Air Force displayes their defence equipments which represents India as a strong nation.