The manner of celebrating the Republic day needs an overhaul
25 Jan, 2015Republic Day is the day when India's constitution was adopted on January 26, 1950, starting the journey of the nascent democracy as a “republic”. January 26 was chosen as it was on this day in 1930 that the Indian National Congress had passed the declaration of “Purna Swaraj” or Independence. The day saw the adoption of the Constitution which had been passed by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November, 1949. The day is celebrated across the country with grand parades in New Delhi and also the state capitals. Over the years, the Republic day celebrations has been criticised on the following grounds:-
§ The event has become too familiar and monotonous.
§ Enhanced security checks due to threats has led to difficulty for a common man
§ Does it showcase Indian republic? Or is it merely a demonstration of military power?
§ Do the Indians feel ‘involved’ in the process of celebration?
§ Is it a waste of resources?
Reply to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that the expenses on Republic Day celebrations have increased quite substantially over the years. As per information received from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Rs 145 crore was spent in 2001 on the Republic Day celebrations which rose to Rs 226 crore in 2004.
For the subsequent years, the expenditure was as under:-
Rs 149 crore (2007),
Rs 227 crore (2008),
Rs 285 crore (2009)
Rs 320 crore (2014)
Information about the security arrangements was denied to the RTI applicant, Pawan Agrawal, on the ground of national interest. Are such huge expenses justified? The expenditure figures cited do not include those in the states and call for a frugal approach for a developing nation like ours. Celebrating the national festival is definitely needed but the manner of celebration needs an overhaul in terms of the approach and manner.
Wishing the readers a HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY.