SYMA Celebrates Nation's 62nd Republic Day

26^TH   January is a very important day for the Nation – every child knows that it is the Republic Day.  What many may not know is today is the day when the Indian Tricolour was first unfurled in January 1930 at Lahore, by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and the declaration of an independent Indian National Congress was made.   The seeds had been sown  at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at the midnight of 31st December 1929  held under the presidency of Pt. Jawarhar Lal Nehru. Those present in the meeting took a pledge to mark January 26 as "Independence Day" in order to march towards realizing the dream of complete independence from the British. The Lahore Session paved way to the Civil Disobedience movement. It was decided that January 26, 1930 would be observed as the Purna Swaraj (complete Independence) Day.  The transition of that dream was fraught with many hurdles, the declaration of Swaraj made on that day was etched in the memory of all patriotic Indians.

India, also known as Bharat, is a Union of States. It is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Constitution provides for a Parliamentary form of government which is federal in structure with certain unitary features. The constitutional head of the Executive of the Union is the President.

Republic is from latin ‘res publica’ which could be translated as ‘a public affair’.  The modern day republic could be far away from the ideology of republic of olden days.  Today Republic symbolizes civic virtue and mostly Republic is a Sovereign State.   There are many forms of Govt. ranging from Anarchy, Aristocracy,  Confederation, Dictratorship, despotism, autocracy, fascism, feudalism, monarchy, and more – there can even be capitalist republic and socialist republic. 

In India, Republic Day commemorates the date on which India gave to itsef a constitution replacing the Govt. of India Act of 1935 as the governing document.  

India after its Independence on 15^th Aug 1947 had its laws based on modified colonial Govt of India Act and was a dominion with George VI as head of State and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General.  On 28^th Aug 1947 Drafting Committee was appointed with Bhimarao Ambedkar as Chairman.  A draft was submitted to Assembly on 4^th Nov 1947.  The assembly met, in sessions open to public for 166 days spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the constitution.  The 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one in English and other in Hindi) on 24^th Jan 1950.  Shortly thereafter, on 26^th Jan 1950 at 10.18 am IST – the constitution of India came into being. With 395 Articles and eight Schedules, the Indian Constitution is the largest written constitution in the world.  On that day, a salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic. Since then, every year the day is celebrated with great pride and happiness all over the nation.

Republic Day is celebrated every year with much enthusiasm all over the country and to mark the importance of this occasion, a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. The event begins with the Prime Minister of India laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, commemorating all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. Soon, a 21 gun salute is presented, the President unfurls the National Flag and the National Anthem is played. This marks the beginning of the parade.

Since 1950, India has been hosting the head of State of Govt of another country as the state guest of honour for RD celebrations.  This year it is the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – a name with Sanskrit and Javanese roots.  Su means good and sila means behavior.  Bambang is a traditional boy name in Javanese meaning knight.  Yudhoyono comes from yuddua (battle) and yana (journey) – the name roughly translates as ‘knight who is well behaved in battle and journey’.

At SYMA, we have been celebrating days of National importance and the functions started at our Medical centre around 0800 am.  Children tutored by Soundarya Rathnamala chanted verses and sung Nationalistic songs.  At 0830 Srinivas Youngmen’s Association organized a function celebrating the 62^nd Republic day.

The meeting started with prayer rendered by Mrs Prema Krishnamohan and others of Soundarya Rathnamala.  I compered the programme speaking of the historic importance of the Republic day.  Our President TA Sampathkumar welcomed the gathering and introduced our Chief Guests.  Mr P. Vasunathan, Joint Commissioner, HR & CE unfurled the National flag and appreciated the efforts of SYMA and the civic activities.  Mr P Jayaraman, Dy Commissioner of Sri Parthasarathi Swami temple also spoke.  The Chief guests were given mementoes by our Secretary R Sanjeevi and Treasurer Sudarshanan.  Our VP Durai @ Seshadri proposed the vote of thanks. 

The group of students of NK Thirumalachariyar Boy’s High School appearing for the X std public examination were handed over gift consisting of note books and writing instruments.

The programme ended with the singing of National anthem jointly by all those present.

Jai Hind.

Regards – S. Sampathkumar