Republic Day – Celebration of power of people

ANI Photo: Indian Army camel mounted division 

On January 26, 1950, India declared itself a sovereign, democratic and republic state, with the ­adoption of the Constitution, which gave the citizens of India the power to govern themselves by choosing their own Government. It has been 73 years since, the world’s largest democracy has evolved, gone through its trials and tribulations, and managed to overcome them all. 

Republic ­– a word that is right now, and especially in the Caribbean, generating a lot of buzz. Closer to home, after Barbados became a republic in November 2021, the push for Jamaica to remove the Queen of England as the head of the state has picked up momentum. 

“Living in one of the most vibrant democracies on the planet, Jamaicans will relate to this special day of the world’s largest democracy even more,” said Rungsung Masakui, high commissioner of India to Jamaica. “It is not a mere coincidence that India and Jamaica share such a warm relationship despite the huge geographical distance. It is also the reason why Indians get assimilated in the Jamaican society so easily and feel at home here.”

We could not have said it better –  vibrancy and warmth, key to coherent people to people interactions and it is by, of and for the people on whose shoulders the institution of democracy rests. 

VISUAL TREAT

ANI Photo: Artistes pose at full-dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade, at Esplanade, Kolkata 

Talking of vibrancy, almost 9,000 miles away from Kingston, the Indian capital came alive on January 26 at the Republic Day parade – the riot of colors unfolded, with a show of its military might, riot of colors dispersed by the folk musicians and dancers, and soldiers in their crisp uniforms marching in clockwork precision. It is a visual treat, but also sends a strong message of the power of the people. 

“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,” said Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, in his Tryst with Destiny speech on August 15, 1947, the day India became a free nation.

“At the stroke of the midnight hour,” Nehru said, “when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.” The country did, and has come a long way since, transforming itself into a global powerhouse. 

As Jamaica is celebrating over 60 years of independence from the British rule, possibly the true celebration of the power of the people would be transition to becoming a republic. For once Mahatma Gandhi said, “strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

... and where there is a will, there is way.