Indian Republic Day and National Honors

India has the world's longest written constitution with approximately 448 articles (originally 395) in 25 parts. The US constitution is the shortest written national constitution. Britain has an unwritten constitution.

January 26, 1930 was declared as 'Purna Swaraj Day' (Complete Independence Day) by the Indian National Congress. When India adopted its constitution on November 26, 1949, January 26 was chosen to commemorate this historic declaration of complete independence from British rule.

On Republic Day, the President of India hoists the flag at Rajpath, New Delhi. On Independence Day (August 15), the Prime Minister unfurls the flag at the Red Fort. This distinction is based on protocol - hoisting means pulling the flag up (President), unfurling means opening it from the top (PM).

The President awards Param Veer Chakra (PVC), Maha Veer Chakra (MVC), Veer Chakra (VrC), and Ashok Chakra (AC) on Republic Day. These are India's premier gallantry awards - PVC, MVC, and VrC for wartime gallantry, and Ashok Chakra for peacetime gallantry. 'Shakti Chakra' is not a real award.

JRD Tata was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992 for his contributions to industry and philanthropy. He was a pioneering industrialist who founded Tata Airlines (later Air India) and expanded the Tata Group.

Beating the Retreat ceremony is held on January 29th every year, marking the end of Republic Day celebrations. It is a military ceremony dating back to the 1950s where bands from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force perform.

The hymn 'Abide With Me' is traditionally performed during the Beating the Retreat ceremony. This Christian hymn by Henry Francis Lyte has been part of the ceremony since it began in the 1950s, symbolizing a solemn conclusion to Republic Day festivities.

Beating the Retreat was cancelled in 2009 as a mark of respect to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The ceremony had been previously cancelled only once before in 2001 due to the Gujarat earthquake.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Frontier Gandhi) received Bharat Ratna in 1987 and Nelson Mandela in 1990. Mother Teresa, though born in Skopje, was an Indian citizen when she received Bharat Ratna in 1980, making her ineligible for this 'non-Indian' list.

C.V. Raman was indeed the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna in 1954 for his work on the scattering of light (Raman Effect). The award was instituted in 1954 and Raman was among the earliest recipients.

The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. It came into force on 26 January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day. 26 November is now observed as Constitution Day.

Lok Tarang is the National Folk Dance Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture from 24-29 January. 'Lok' means folk and this festival showcases traditional dances from across India during Republic Day celebrations.

The closing ceremony of Republic Day festivities concludes with 'Sare Jahan Se Achcha', a patriotic poem by Muhammad Iqbal. This marks the formal end of the Republic Day celebrations period.

Ebrahim Alkazi, the father of modern Indian theatre, received Padma Vibhushan in 2010 for his contributions to theatre. He was the first director of the National School of Drama and trained generations of actors.

A R Rahman received the Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his contributions to music, particularly after his international success with Slumdog Millionaire. Zohra Sehgal received Padma Vibhushan, Resul Pokutty received Padma Shri, and Virendra Sehwag also received Padma Shri.

Zohra Sehgal received the Padma Vibhushan in 2010 for her lifelong contributions to Indian theatre and cinema. Sant Singh Chatwal and Fareed Zakaria received Padma Bhushan, while Rekha received Padma Shri.