Has the Republic Day Parade become a Ritual?

India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic on the 26th of January 1950, and Indians have been celebrating the Republic Day with immense pride and committed passion ever since. Equally candid is the fact that the meaning of our Republic Day has sadly diminished to a mere ‘holiday’. Somewhere down the lane, we have ironically lost the honour and essence of the significance of our Constitution.

Every Republic Day of India observes the painful process of chaotic preparations in Delhi, specifically from Raisina Hill to the Red Fort. This turbulence and inconvenience begins in December and continues till the end of January. The following questions have been bugging Indian citizens for a long time in the absence of a platform to voice out their concerns.

• What is the genesis of this parade which has been continuing for the last 64 years?
• Why is this organised?
• Who is benefitting from this exercise?
• Why so much of wastage of money, resources and man-hours?
• What message is being conveyed by this ritual?

Does anyone from the previous governments have answers to these nagging questions? I am sure many Indians would agree that we are failing to disseminate the real message behind this extravagant demonstration of power to our younger generations. It is sadly startling that no one in the current and the previous governments has ever pondered on this exuberance in the name of national interest! We all know that the Republic of India’s Constitution was promulgated on the 26th January, 1950. Now after more than six decades do we really understand this legacy of the Republic Day Parade we have inherited?

In an effort to showcase a few armaments, the discipline of various defence and security forces and some tableaux displaying the art and culture of states, we are incidentally neglecting the fact that the huge amount of money and resources being spent every year could be used for other more significant and imperative situations. I feel it would be more meaningful if we start concentrating on inculcating and overtly encouraging patriotism and national pride along with building character and developing work culture in each individual rather than spending energies on organising the Beating Retreat. We need to focus on empowering the forces from the grass roots to highest levels. National debates for effective alternatives can be helpful.

It is time to channelise our resources for superlative development.

Jai Hind!