Amidst the commemoration of its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 2024, India is abuzz with celebrations spanning the nation. The distinguished guest presiding over these festivities is none other than French President Emmanuel Macron.
A procession of grandeur unfolds as 16 states and Union Territories grace the parade with their splendid tableaux. Among the participating entities are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, each presenting their unique displays.
Adding to the spectacle are tableaux from 9 ministries and departments, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Ministry of Culture, Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, Election Commission of India, and Central Public Works Department.
Diverging from customary reckoning, India commemorates Republic Day not by the Gregorian calendar but by the years elapsed since the momentous adoption of its Constitution. This historic event transpired on January 26, 1950, marking the 75th anniversary in 2024. The Constitution’s ratification signified the triumph of the Constituent Assembly’s endeavors. Despite India’s independence in 1947, the Constitution ceremonially took effect on January 26, 1950.
The 75th Republic Day in 2024 holds profound historical significance, epitomizing the essence of an emancipated India. It harks back to the momentous declaration of Poorna Swaraj by the Indian National Congress on this day in 1950, heralding India’s emancipation from colonial rule. It stands as a poignant testament to the democratic prerogative bestowed upon citizens to elect their governing body.
The inaugural Republic Day parade unfolded in 1950 at the Irwin Amphitheater, now known as the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. Subsequently, in 1955, the parade found its current venue at Rajpath, renamed Kartavyapath, with Malik Ghulam Muhammad, Pakistan’s Governor General, gracing the occasion as the chief guest.
Preparations for the Republic Day revelries in the capital have prompted stringent security measures. The Delhi Police, in a recent announcement, revealed plans to deploy approximately 14,000 security personnel in and around Kartavyapath, the designated venue for the Republic Parade on January 26. This heightened security posture aims to safeguard the anticipated 77,000 attendees at Kartavyapath, as per official sources.
During a press briefing at the Delhi Police headquarters, Special Commissioner of Police (Security) Dependra Pathak elaborated on the comprehensive security arrangements. He underscored the professional, robust, and meticulous security protocols instituted across Delhi for Republic Day, as conveyed by news agency PTI.
Pathak emphasized the collaborative efforts between security, traffic, and district units, in tandem with central security agencies, in orchestrating the January 26 celebrations. He disclosed the deployment of 14,000 security personnel, each entrusted with specific roles and responsibilities within the operational confines of Kartavyapath. Across Delhi, a total of 70,000 security personnel have been mobilized.
Furthermore, the Commissioner outlined the strategic deployment of commandos, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, observation posts, anti-sabotage checks, and SWAT teams in and around Kartavyapath and the city at large, per PTI reports. He reassured the public of the Delhi Police’s preparedness to effectively address any exigencies that may arise.