Respected dignitaries on and off the stage, dear teachers and friends,

January 26 is always a special date in Indian history and as Indians, it is important that we fully understand the significance of this day.  A proper understanding of our republic day will perhaps helps us to better enjoy the majestic ceremony which we wtiness every year at Rajpath, New Delhi.

As we all know, India became an Independent country on August 15, 1947. However, it was just the beginning of a historic effort to lay down an official frame work to our democracy. Every country should have guidelines within which it progress as a nation. Dr. B.R Ambedkar was given this historic task to head the team. It took two more years before the task was completed and the constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November, 1949 and formally came into effect on 26th January 1950.  Dr.Rajendra Prasad took oath on this day as India's first president of the Republic of India. We can proudly declare that, it is on this day we got our fundamental rights as an Indian citizen which nobody can question or deny.

Every year, a grand ceremony is held at the capital, New Delhi to mark this occasion and the event starts with India's prime minister paying a tribute at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, as a mark of respect the   soldiers who laid down their life’s for the country. India's president, as head of Armed forces takes the salute during the parade in New Delhi. A foreign dignitary will be the s chief guest on Republic Day. This will be followed by Military parades, marching of soldiers, display of the power of Indian Armed forces, presentations by children and tabloid by all states and union territories of India, celebrating India’s rich culture and diversity etc. It’s a Grand display of India’s Unity in Diversity. Awards and medals of bravery are also given to the people from the armed forces and also to civilians on the day.

We should feel blessed to be a citizen of this country. The same country who gave birth to  of Bal Gangadhar Thilak who declared "Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it. Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose, the list is endless, who gave away their life’s to make sure our tricolor flag  flies high..  We must always remember that we are sitting on  the shoulders of these giants who gave us the freedom which we enjoy today. Let us take this opportunity to remember those legends whose sacrifices, struggles gave us today's freedom. Let us, rejoice in the glory of India.

Wishing you all a Happy Republic Day, Vande Mataram.