Indian Republic Turned 60

Every year January 26 is a date all Indians living inRepublic day is a happy occasion with a tinge of
India as well as all over the world celebrate to salutesadness.
the fore fathers who fought for our freedom andRepublics can not survive without losing some of our
the constitution made by Indians for the Indians.valiant uniformed and civilian personalities for keeping
Generally, the Republic Day is celebrated in thethe country safe in these days of terrorism.
National Capital, New Delhi with a parade witnessedSo we have to bear and remember those departed
by the President of India with a invited Head ofsouls during every Republic day.
State from any friendly country of the world.The President of India in her address to the Nation
For the Republic Day of 2009 Kazakhstan President,on the eve of Republic day mentioned mainly the
Nursultan Nazarbayev was the Chief Guest.decisive action against terrorism and the economic
It is indeed a gesture of great recognition of the highshowdown.
status of friendly relations between the two nations.Also she touched upon the social issue of girl child for
In fact, Kaakhstan strongly supported India at thegender equality.
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meeting in 2008 whichIn this regard she announced that January 24 from
allowed New Delhi to resume full civil nuclearthis year onwards will be celebrated as ‘National
cooperation with the international community.Girl Child Day.’
India needs to demonstrate the power ofGender fight continues even after 60 years of our
democracy in Republic India to the world every year.own rule.
All newspapers and TV channels wrote and showedWe will remember for years that the Republic day
the achievements and the challenges faced by the2009 kept the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
Republic during the past year(s).away from all functions.
It is customary to honor some chosen civilians ofHe was admitted at AIIMS for cardiac surgery and
importance in various fields of specialty by awardingshowing improvement in his health by God’s
Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Srigrace.
depending on their contributions. The surgeons reported that the Prime Minister will be
For the defense personals there are awards likeback to work within a fortnight.
Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra.Still the regular traditional celebrations at the National
Mostly uniformed individuals for their mostand State level went on without trouble.
conspicuous act of bravery or an act of daring or aThe role of the Prime Minister in the Republic Day
pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice away fromfunction was given to Mr. A. K. Antony, the Defense
the battle field were honored with these two awards.Minister.
Some of such awards are given posthumouslyStudents from the primary to College level celebrated
because the individuals invariably might have sacrificedeither in their schools or colleges in the presence of
their lives for the safety of the Nation.their teachers who made speeches and hoisted
I saw a number of passport size photographs inNational Flag and distributed sweets to all those who
newspapers with their names and also the type ofparticipated in these functions.
award they got.Colonies, Clubs and other organizations did similar
Some of the faces were familiar to me whereasfunctions on the Republic Day.
some were not.“We the people of India having solemnly resolved
These awardees are selected from the length andto constitute India into a Sovereign socialist secular
breadth of the country and the awards are andemocratic republic and to secure to all its citizens:
approval to their contributions and also anJustice, social, economic and political;
encouragement for doing more in their own fields soLiberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and
that the country gets the benefits.worship;
There were 10 Padma Vibhushan, 30 Padma Bhushan,Equality of status and opportunity; and to promote
93 Padma Sri, 11 Ashoka Chakra and 13 Kirti Chakraamong them all
awardees during 2009.Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and
Some of the names familiar to me in the category ofthe unity and integrity of Nation.”
Padma Vibhushan were: Sundarlal S. Bahuguna, notedThis passage is part of the preamble of our
environmentalist, G. Madhavan Nair, Indian SpaceConstitution of India.
Research Organization (ISRO) Chief, Anil Kakodhar,The Constitution of India came into force and India
Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, Sisterdeclared itself as ‘Republic’ on
Nirmala, Superior General of Mother Teresa’s26 January 1950, a date thereafter celebrated
Missionaries.annually as Republic Day in India.
Among the 30 Padma Bhushan awardees, SekharTherefore it is necessary for every citizen of India to
Gupta, journalist; D Jayakanthan, writer; Ramachandraremember or read the preamble of our Constitution
Guha, writer; Abhinav Bindra, Sports; Sam Pitroda,on this important day of celebration.
administrator; were familiar names.I do not know how many of us who celebrated the
Among the Padma Sri awardees, Aishwarya Rai, M. S.Republic day this year know what is said in our
Dhoni, Habhajan Singh and  Vivek were some of theConstitution at least in the preamble.
familiar faces.Instead of keeping the photographs of our political
Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Sahahdevleaders who are not permanent, we should inscribe in
Salaskar and Sandeep Unnikrishnan were the onesevery Government office, school and college the
posthumously selected for Ashoka Chakra thepreamble our Constitution which should find a
highest gallantry award.permanent place in our hearts.
Others were also equally heroic in their duty, butLong live our Republic!
they were the unknown heroes for me.