I would like to start this blog by wishing all my readers a very happy and prosperous 72nd Republic Day. India is always known for its diversity and cultural ethnicity across the globe, and we cherish every part of it by feeling proud when we see our flag furling high.

 

Let’s learn some interesting facts about our country and constitution.

 

1. Do you know the significance of this day in our lives? 

Learn about Purna Swaraj Day

Earlier, January 26, 1930, was celebrated as Purna Swaraj day or Independence Day. As per historical information, it is the day India decided to get freedom. This day marks as a replacement of the government of India Act 1935 with the constitution of India. This date was specially selected to bring the constitution into force.

 

 2. World’s longest written constitution!!

Well, yes, you heard, right! A team of intellectual personalities drafted our constitution, and it contains 448 articles, which are grouped in 25 parts with 12 schedules and five appendices, amended 103 times. On 14 January 2019, the latest amendment became effective.

Team of intellectual personalities and chairman committee members-

  •  Dr. B. R. Ambedkar - Chairman

  •  KM Munshi (Ex- Home Minister, Bombay)

  • Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer (Ex- Advocate General, Madras State)

  • N Gopalaswami Iyengar (Ex-Prime Minister, J&K, member of Nehru Cabinet)

  • B L Mitter (Ex-Advocate General, India)

  • Md. Saadullah (Ex-Chief Minister of Assam, Muslim League member)

  • D P Khaitan (lawyer)

 

Benegal Narsing Rau as a constitutional advisor (first Indian judge in an international court of justice in 1950)

Babasaheb Ambedkar, chairman of the drafting committee, presenting the final draft of the Indian constitution to Constituent Assembly president Rajendra Prasad on 25 November 1949 

 

 3. Learn about the time taken to frame our constitution and the different versions available!

Drafting the constitution was an arduous task. It took two years and 11 months to draft the constitution.

Our constitution is written in Hindi and English language.

 

page of indian constitution in hindi and english language-republicdayfacts-gkmit

 

4. Original constitution- 

In Hindi and English, India’s original constitution was handwritten and calligraphed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.

rare photo of Prem Behari Narain Raizada-constitutionfacts-republicdayfacts-gkmit

A rare photo of Prem Behari Narain Raizada

 

In this process, according to the Prem foundation, 432 pen holder nibs were used, and #303 nibs came in use for calligraphy.

nibs used in hand written constitution by shri prem behari-republicdayfacts-gkmit

Nibs used by Shri Prem Behari to hand-write the constitution

 

Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose decorated each page border. Border illustrations represent styles from different civilizations of the subcontinent ranging from prehistoric Mohenjo-Daro from Indus valley civilization.

 

The original 1950 constitution is preserved in a helium-filled case at the Parliament House in New Delhi. 

The original manuscript was written on a parchment sheet measuring 16*22 inches and with a lifespan of a thousand years. 

The finished manuscript of the constitution consists of 251 pages and weighs 3.75 kg.

      

On November 26, 1949, the Indian constitution came into existence and got adopted.

 

5. The first Republic celebration and venue-

On 26 January 1950, we celebrated our first republic day, three years after independence. In Irwin Stadium(renamed as a national stadium), the first republic parade was held. The Rajpath became the permanent venue after the 1955 parade.
 

first republic day parade and celebration-republicdayfacts-gkmit

     First Republic Day Parade and Celebration

 

 6. A Christian hymn- “Abide With Me”

mahatma gandhi-favorite song-abide with me-republicdayfacts-gkmit

 At the end of the republic day parade, a Christian hymn “abide with me” is sung, which is written by Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte. It is Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite song.

 

 7. Countries from which the Indian constitution borrowed ideals

Major Sources of Indian Constitution

Provisions Source/country
Constitution of the United States
  • Preamble

  • Fundamental Rights

  • The federal structure of government

  • Electoral College

  • Independence of the judiciary and separation of powers among the three branches of the government

  • Judicial review

  • President as Supreme Commander of Armed Forces

  • Equal protection under the law

 

British constitution
  • Parliamentary form of government

  • The idea of single citizenship

  • The idea of the Rule of law

  • Writs

  • Institution of Speaker and his role

  • Lawmaking procedure

  • The procedure established by Law

 

Canadian constitution
  • A quasi-federal form of government —
    a federal system with a strong central government

  • Distribution of powers between the central government and state governments

  • Residual powers retained by the central government

Irish constitution (Ireland)
  • Directive Principles of State Policy

  • The nomination of members to Rajya Sabha

  • Method of Election of President

French constitution
  •  Republic and the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in the Preamble
Australian constitution
  • Freedom of trade and commerce within the country and between the states

  • Power of the national legislature to make laws for implementing treaties, even on matters outside normal Federal jurisdiction

  • Concurrent List

Constitution of Soviet Union (USSR)
  • Fundamental Duties under Article 51-A

  • A Constitutionally mandated Planning Commission to oversee the development of the economy

Constitution of South Africa
  • Procedure for amendment

  • Election of Rajya Sabha members

Constitution of Germany
  • Emergency powers to be enjoyed by the Union

  • Suspension of Fundamental Rights during emergency

Constitution of Japan
  • Procedure Established by Law
Government of India Act 1935
  • Federal Scheme

  • Emergency Provisions

  • Public Service Commissions

  • Office of Governor

  • Judiciary

  • Administrative Details


8. Cost of making the constitution of India-

The original constitution took nearly five years for production. On 26 January 1950, it became the law of India. The estimated cost of the Constituent Assembly was₹6.3 crore (₹63 million). 

 

 9. National awards- 

padma bhushan- vibhushan-shri-awards-republicdayfacts-gkmit


National awards like Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, param veer chakra, Ashoka chakra, and Kriti chakra are awarded on the republic day ceremony.

 

bharat ratna-awards-republicdayfacts-gkmit


 

10. 21- gun salute

21 gun salute-republicdayfacts-gkmit

 

On republic day, 21 gun salutes are given to mark the honor when the president of India hoists the national flag. Also, the national anthem takes 52 seconds to sing and play. 

 

 11. Beating Retreat ceremony-

The celebration of republic day ends with a beating retreat ceremony with the Indian army, air force, and navy bands performing.

 

 12. On republic day, the year 1965 Hindi language was declared as the national language of India.

 

 13. Chief guests from a different country- every year, a chief guest from a different country is invited. 

 

Well, above are some unknown and interesting facts about our republic day celebration and constitution-making and enforcement. Circulate these facts among your friends and relatives. Enjoy the right, freedom, and feel proud to be a citizen of the world’s largest democracy. If you, too, have some interesting facts to share, go right ahead and tell us in the comment section below. 

Jai hind!!