26th January: Celebrating Over The Yrs

India enforced its Constitution and became a Republic on 26th January 1950. A lot has changed since then. We have made progress in every field, and the country stands as one of the fastest growing economies.

As we celebrate our 68th Republic Day this year, here are pictures from the past to the present showing how we celebrated Republic Day over the years:

Dr Rajendra Prasad being sworn in as the first President of India on 26th January 1950.

The first Republic Day Parade in 1950.

King Tribhuvan of Nepal as the guest of honour for Republic Day in 1951.

Units of Defence Services participating in an impressive parade held on Republic Day, in 1951. The President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad taking the salute at the March Past.

Artists from West Bengal performing the Lama dance during the 1956 parade.

A fountain at the India Gate illuminated on Republic Day- January 26, 1957.

The Parliament House, New Delhi, illuminated in 1958.

The Indian Railways tableau of the 1959 Republic Day Pageantry.

Reception held by the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Rajeshwar Dayal, on the occasion of India’s 10th Republic Day at Karachi in 1959.

President Varahagiri Venkata Giri with the guest of honour, Mr Josip Broz Tito (President of Yugoslavia), and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974.

IPS Kiran Bedi leading Delhi Police during the Parade in 1975.

President Shri F.A. Ahmed with Sea Cadets Republic Day Contingent of 1976 in New Delhi.

Dr Patrick J. Hillery, President of Ireland, as the guest of honour at the parade in 1978 with Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the President of India.

Photographs of folk dancers, who were to participate in Republic Day Parade, taken at Rangsala on January 22, 1981.

President Giani Zail Singh with Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, President of Nigeria, the guest of honour at the parade in 1983.

One of India’s mainstream defence system, the Bofors Gun, on display during the 41st Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 1990.

President Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, and Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao with the guest of honour, Dr Nelson R. Mandela, President of South Africa at the Republic Day parade in 1995.

The Prithvi Missile system on display during the 47th Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 1996.

The guest of honour, Mr Jacques Chirac, President of France, at the Republic Day parade in 1998.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with the guest of honour, King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the King of Nepal, at the Republic Day parade in 1999.

The chief guest of the Republic Day Parade in 2003, the visiting President of Iran, Mr Syed Mohammed Khatami, being introduced to the Service Chiefs by President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

The Border Security Force’s motorcycle-borne Janbaz team displaying its skills during the 55th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in 2004.

Balloons carrying the Indian National Flag float across the Rajpath skyline during the 55th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi in 2004.

Members of the Indian Army’s Gorkha regiment during a Republic Day parade.

Indian Air Force fighters refuel mid-air during the parade in 2005.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his wife, Smt. Gursharan Kaur with the participants of the Republic Day Parade in 2008

Republic Day parade 2012


Source: news.motorbiker.org

US President Barack Obama, the guest of honour, at Republic Day parade 2015.

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10 thoughts on “26th January: Celebrating Over The Yrs

  1. I enjoyed reading this interesting post, thank you. It seems that over the years, especially since the 90s, it has become more common for it to be a demonstration of millitary power? Compare the folk dancers and lama dancers to the entertainment in later years – fighter jets, tanks, and Armed Forces motorcycle shows. I wonder if t coincides with foreign tensions.

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    1. Thank you for taking time out to read and comment my dear. I am glad you liked it. Our defence has always been a vital part of our republic day parade as our medals are handed out on that day as well. As for the fighter jets and tanks, they are a way of our people to honour our forces that sacrifice their family life and comforts for our safety. I think they deserve to be hombres more often. 26th of January is a day for India to celebrate its home rule, I don’t reckon that it’s used as a power show to enemy nations. Keep smiling and happy blogging 😊 🌹 🙏 do visit us again

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  2. Wow, brilliant post and great find of pics, especially those pics in 1950’s 60’s and 70’s and 80’s. My dad and uncle once attended republic day function in nation’s capital, guess in the year 1998 and told its nothing short of spectacular. Of course I got many toys from them, coz it’s mandatory that if any goes outstation, they should bring toys for me. Wonderful post and Jai Hind.

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    1. Thank you for the wonderful comment Sri. I am happy to know this little trivia about you dear. You too should see the parade once with your own eyes, it sure is a spectacle. Though I agree that the charm of 60’s and 70’s can’t be caught but we have to make do, it still has the lingering essence of legends like Nehru and Shastri Ji. As for toys, worry not, I won’t let you return without them, I promise. It was great to see your comment, you made my day 😊🌹🤘🏻

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