Six Interesting Facts on Republic Day

'Republic' is proposed to be a state where the supreme power is held by its people and the decisions are taken by their 'Elected Representatives'.
It is a system in which India was finally declared to be freed from monarchy or foreign colonisation and was legally termed to be 'Independent' in nominating its elected head.

Now, why is it 26th January? The date people across the country celebrate as its 'Republic Day'.

India was awaiting its Independence like a starved animal eater does. The hungry eyes were counting on the days. It was the very '26th January',1950, that the country became a 'Republic' in true sense with a democratic government and when the Constitution of India came into force. However, the date was particularly chosen because it was the anniversary of 'Purna Swaraj Divas' (26th January, 1930).

So, would you like to give your ear to some interesting facts that revolve around this date? Hold your horses!

• Okay, so for how many days do you celebrate this event? Is it all about just a date? Well, to bring it to your notice, the 'Republic Day' celebration actually lasts for three days! The gong beat at the end of the third day of celebration marks the end of 'Republic Day'. 
  
•   The Constitution of India is the longest in the world that one definitely cannot finish reading in a single day. Penning it down wasn't easy as well. It took 166 days that extended further to 2 years, 11 months and 18 days, for the Assembly to form its final version. Nevertheless, the entire Constitution was hand-written.
• The two original copies written in Hindi and English, are carefully preserved in helium-filled cases in the Parliament House's library. 
• 'Abide by Me' is the song that marks the end of the 'Republic Day' celebration along with the beating retreat. 
   
  
• President addresses the 'Republic Day'. A 21 gun salute is fired as soon as he unfurls the tricolour denoting it as the military signature of honour. 
• The most surprising of all is that it takes only 52 seconds to sing the complete National Anthem! So would you like to give it a try?  

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar, the founder of 'Quirkopedia' is presently pursuing her Graduation in English Honours from Loreto College, Kolkata. An art enthusiast, Manjima nurtures a  keen passion for writing columns.