Splendid shows mark R-Day

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 27

The national flag was hoisted by Cooperation and Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa during the Republic Day celebrations held in the city on Sunday.

The minister, who was the chief guest, accompanied by Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma and Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, gave away prizes and certificates to winners. The contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was adjudged the best contingent of the parade while patriotic cultural items presented by HMV College bagged the first prize in the cultural items during the celebrations.

Sanjay Kumar of the CRPF received the prize on behalf of the CRPF contingent whereas Kuldeep Singh of the ITBP received the second best prize. Likewise, contingent of the Punjab Police Women, led by ASI Parminder Kaur, also bagged the award while contingent of the Punjab Home Guards, led by Sub Inspector Kuldeep Singh, bagged consolation prizes.

In the junior division of the NCC, the contingent of the NCC (Boys) bagged the first prize. Among the Scouts, the contingent of DSSD School bagged the first prize whereas the Girls Guide of Lyallpur Khalsa School bagged the first prize among the guides. A cultural item, Rajasthani folk dance, presented by HMV College bagged the first prize in cultural items during the celebrations.

The contingents of Parho Punjab and District Legal Services Authority also bagged prizes. The tableau of Municipal Corporation bagged the first prize, the tableau of the Education Department bagged the second prize and Rural Development Department’s tableau bagged the third prize.

The minister also felicitated parade commander Ankur Gupta IPS, who led the splendid march past. The chief guest also congratulated the district administration for a spectacular show of cultural items during the Republic Day celebrations. He also gave away consolation prizes to other participants. Tricycles were also provided to physically challenged by the minister on the occasion.

Randhawa also released a book ‘Disha’ compiled by the district administration to enable students in choosing the right career for them.

It has articles penned by experts on avenues for students in varied sectors.

Randhawa said these books could be useful for transforming destiny of the students.

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Facts About Republic Day

• Celebrating Independence Day on January 26! Sounds strange, but in the 1930s, freedom fighters used to celebrate “Independence Day” after the declaration of Purna Swaraj on January 26, 1930.
• After India’s Independence on August 15, 1947, leaders wanted January 26 to be remembered in history as well. Therefore, the day was made to coincide with the day of Swaraj.
• The first Republic Day was celebrated on January 26, 1950.
• Prior to Republic Day, India followed the Government of India Act, 1935, which was compiled and laid down by the British government.
• Dr Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the first President of India on January 26, 1950, at 10.24 am. During the first Republic Day, the President of India was greeted by a 31-gun salute.
• From 1950-54, Republic Day was celebrated at Irwin Stadium (now called National Stadium), Red Fort, Ramlila Grounds and Kingsway. The first R-Day parade was held at Rajpath in 1955.
• A Christian song, Abide With Me, is played at the Republic Day parade. It is believed to be one of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite songs.
• A majority of the national awards such as Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan and Kirti Chakra are awarded during the Republic Day ceremony.
• The Indian Air Force came into existence as an independent body on Republic Day. Prior to this, the Air Force was a controlled body.