The history of human evolution has been a history of conflict and wars. During the prehistoric times humans used to live in caves and they used to fight with each other over food and living space. However slowly the societies started to grow and humans started to live in groups. These groups shared certain common values and they used to protect the group interests. This led to formation of tribal communities which lived together, ate together and fought together. The tribal communities with high aspirations turned into kingdoms and they ruled over the larger part of the planet for over 2000 years. We have heard the names of kingdoms like Roman Empire, Mughal Empire and Turkish empire etc.
The coming up of Renaissance and modernism changed everything. This led to massive industrialisation in certain countries of Western Europe and this started a phenomenon of “Colonialism”. During the era of Colonialism the developed countries used the resources of the colonies to fuel their economic development. This phenomenon has been defined as “Drain of Wealth”. The exploitation of colonies led to the emergence of Nationalism in the colonies. Countries worldwide launched massive movement against the Colonial nations to secure their freedom. The Indian National Movement launched by Indian Leaders led to freedom in India.
Post Independence Indian leaders decided to draft our own constitution which reflected the values of our own nation and the aspirations of the Indian people. One of the most important development in this regard was making India a ‘Democratic Republic’.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, defined democracy as “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. In democracy it is the people who choose their rulers and they have the authority to change them when they don’t perform according to their expectations.
A Republic on the other hand is a state where the head of the state is elected and not hereditary. Many of the developed states like Japan and UK are not Republics although they are democracies. On the other hand Indian leaders choose to make India a Republic state, a state where all the public offices are open to every citizen.
During my childhood all my memories of Republic Day are related to occasional speeches on the importance of Republic Day, some sweets in the school in the morning and a half day holiday. It was only when I started preparing for Civil services I could understand the true meaning of Republic. 26 January is the day when our constitution was adopted by Our Own People. The Preamble of the constitution in its last para says that- IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION. This shows the collective ownership of the Indian constitution by the people of India.
After clearing the civil services I joined Railways as HR officer and one of my duties included making arrangements for celebration of Republic Day and Hoisting of Flag by the Divisional Railway Manager. This is a task which I have enjoyed the most till date. For me Republic nature of Indian State is the only reason why I could join the civil service.
For me Republic Day is a day to reflect upon the freedom we have in our country and the opportunities that our country provides to us to grow as individuals. It is also a day to offer our tribute to the makers of Indian Constitution who drafted a constitution which was much ahead of its times and has been rated as one of most progressive constitutions in the World.