A very good morning to one and all present here. Today, I will be giving a short speech on the topic of ‘Republic Day’.

‘Republic Day’ is a term that we all must be familiar with. It is a day often considered to be symbolic of that nation’s freedom struggle. Indeed, the date on which this specific day is celebrated might differ for each country. However, the sense of honour and nationalism these nations feel on their respective Republic Day would be the same.

Wikipedia declares that ‘Republic Day’ is “the name of a holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they became republics.”

What is a ‘Republic’? Google states that a Republic is “a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.” Republic Day, in this sense, is thus particular to only those nations that are now republics, not all countries.

Being a republic, India too celebrates ‘Republic Day’ every year. Wikipedia details that “Republic Day is a public holiday in India where the country marks and celebrates the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. This replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India, thus turning the nation into a republic separate from British Raj.”

From this, the importance of Republic Day can be understood. This Republic Day, let us Indians all take an oath to bear in mind and never lose sight of the unspeakable challenges

every man and woman in India had to endure the oppressive rule of British rule.

Let us remember that Nehru once said, “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. Yes, let us remember to forever cherish the unrelenting patriotism of our beloved freedom fighters!

Thank you.