The first Republic Day parade took place at Irwin Amphitheatre, marking the birth of a new democratic nation
India celebrated its 76th Republic Day with a grand parade on Kartavya Path, reflecting on its rich legacy and progress. The first Republic Day parade in 1950, however, was held at the Irwin Amphitheatre, later renamed the National Stadium, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
On January 26, 1950, India officially became a Sovereign Democratic Republic, with Dr. Rajendra Prasad sworn in as the first President at the Government House’s Durbar Hall. This historic moment was announced with a 31-gun salute, marking the birth of the Indian Republic.
The Irwin Amphitheatre, designed by Robert Torr Russell and gifted by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, was built in 1933. It was renamed the National Stadium in 1951, just before hosting the Asian Games.
During the first Republic Day celebrations, retiring Governor-General C Rajagopalachari read out the proclamation of the Republic, declaring India as a Union of States. The event was attended by dignitaries and citizens, celebrating the unification of the nation under a single Constitution.
President Rajendra Prasad, in his historic speech, emphasized the importance of this moment, stating that for the first time in history, all of India was united under one Constitution and responsible for the welfare of over 320 million people
“Today, for the first time in our long and chequered history, we find the whole of this vast land from Kashmir in the north to Cape Comorin in the south, from Kathiawad and Kutch in the west to Coconada and Kamrup in the east, brought together under the jurisdiction of one Constitution and one Union, which takes over the responsibility for the welfare of more than 320 million men and women that inhabit it,” he said.
President Prasad drove out of the Government House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) in a 35-year-old coach specially renovated for the occasion, bearing the new emblem of Asoka’s capital. Escorted by the President’s bodyguard, he proceeded to the Irwin Amphitheatre, greeted by chants of “Jai” from the crowd.
The amphitheatre, with a capacity of 15,000 people, witnessed a magnificent military parade featuring 3,000 officers and men from the three Armed Services of India, along with the police, massed bands, and native contingents, adding grandeur to the occasion.
This year’s Republic Day celebrations mirrored history, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the guest of honor, just as Indonesia’s first President Sukarno graced the 1950 celebrations.
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