Tomorrow is Republic Day, and we all know about the infamous parade that takes place every year from Rashtrapati Bhawan to India Gate. India’s rich culture from all the states is on display, along with incredible feats from the Indian Army, Indian Airforce and the Indian Navy.

If you see the parade broadcast live on TV, you’ll notice how everything is done with extreme attention to detail and some breathtaking discipline. It’s also a day where awards like Param Vir Chakra are awarded to soldiers who’ve displayed extreme bravery for their country’s welfare. 

As kids, we remember going to the school on this day and watch a cultural show (songs and dances) in our school. We would also learn about the significance of the constitution of India and what it stated. 

“The parade used to be similar in its pattern to what it is now, just that several more cultural programmes are there now and the display of the Indian armed forces is also much grander now. The celebrations were held on the East Wing of Rajpath, which was also the path that the president would take. Then there were some marching columns at the parade like of the Delhi Police but I don’t think there were any of the paramilitary forces like the BSF and CRPF as they were much smaller forces back then… There was also the Beating Retreat which took place three days later from the North to the South block,” Colonel KS Bakshi (who attended the first Republic Day) told The Quint. 

It was also the day when Dr. Rajendra Prasad was declared as the first President of India. 

It’s important for us to observe a moment of silence for the politicians and the freedom fighters, who laid down their lives for independence. Happy Republic Day.