Indian Republic: What does it mean?

India is the largest democracy in the world. This not happens over night; two-and-a half years after India won Independence from British rule, our leaders decided to set-up a constitution to create rules and principles on basis of which our country would be governed. For this work they formed a constituent assemble and selected leaders from all over nation where assemblage as our nation approved the constitutions and brought into force. The constitution was written by then Law Minister and the leader who had often opposed Gandhiji, B.R. Ambedkar with Jawaharlal Nehru as first Prime Minister of India.

The constitution was finalized after three years work by of assemble in which it contained features from British, French and American constitution. It established parliamentary democracy in which the constitution is supreme. It lists the fundamental rights as citizens of India, such as the freedom of speech and right to freedom of religion. There are also fundamental duties such as to protect the dignity of women, to value the rich heritage of our composite culture and to preserve forests and wildlife.

The idea of the Republic was taken from a book by the same name by Greek philosopher Plato in which he describes an ideal state, ruled by the people. Every single citizen got the right to vote, making our country the largest democracy in the world and the strength of our constitution has been proved by the smooth and secure general elections. Though our republic is 58 years old and the history that goes back to 5,000 years, our society still contained many injustices, discrimination by reserving employment, seats in school and colleges for the oppressed people and denied equal rights over centuries. Still the county can’t pass the 33 percent reservation for women’s that have been pending for past 10 years. The constitution should aim in clearing the wrong and to declare into one word of human that India will be an equal secular republic with people of different religion, tradition and culture...

The most important and highlight of Indian republic is, parades. The first parade was held in 1950 at Irwin stadium, today which was National Stadium. To marking the event, every year a grand parade conducted in the capital is a lavish affair of showcasing India's advancement in military affairs by marching columns presenting the armed forces, accompanied by army vehicles and military band troops. Decorated conveyances from different states of India and the traditional folk artists performance from across the country floats the street from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Red Fort. Beating the retreat on the third day marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations that takes place in an ancient military custom of sending drummers through the streets just before sunset to warn the troops to return to their barracks before the flag is lowered for the night. The bands always play the ancient hymn `Abide with me' and as the bands fall silent a solitary bugler takes up the hymn's refrain.