26th Jan : Republic Day.



Difference between 
Independence day and Republic Day.

Independence day is the day, India became free from the British rule.
Republic day is the day , Indian  people became the rulers of  independent India.

Independence day is celebrated  on 15th August  ( from 1947).
Republic day is  celebrated  on 26th Jan ( from 1950).

On independence day, India secured its own National  Flag.
On republic day, India declared its own constitution  and officially adopted its National Anthem.
Removed all  the Rajas, Maharajas, Nawab, Sultans  and other hereditary rulers from the power.

Independent country means, free from any external ( foreign ) control.
Republic  country means free from hereditary rulers. 
It is a  rule by the people's representatives.
No hereditary head,( monarch or king  or maharaja or nawab or Sultan )
In a Republic, the rulers  are not selected by hereditary status  but elected by the people's mandate.

UK, even though  Democratic, because  the  Queen is the  Head of the State ( UK), it is not Republic.
Japan, even though Democratic, because the Emperor is the Head of the State (Japan), it is not Republic.
India is Democratic as well Republic. ( there are  no hereditary rulers )
USA is Democratic as well Republic. ( there are  no hereditary rulers )  
India is proud to be DEMOCRATIC as well REPUBLIC

Democratic : Demos means people, democracy means rule of the people.
Republic : Res Publica means public matter,  Public are the owners or rulers. No monarchs ( kings)

India is  an Independent country which means, India is  a Sovereign country . 
( Sovereign means free from any other country's control )
In the preamble ( Introduction ) the  Indian Constitution says.
India is "Sovereign Socialist Secular  Democratic Republic". 
Sovereign = Totally free from any external control of any country.
Socialist = Adopting elements of socialism.
Secular = Neutral in the  religious matters.
Democratic = Demos ( Greek) means People = Democracy means rule of the people.
Republic = No hereditary rulers. Rulers are elected by the people. 

On independence day, India got freedom from British. The British flag was brought down from ramparts of Red Fort. 
and Indian National flag was hoisted by the first PM  Pandit Jawaharal Nehru at the midnight ( 14th midnight).
On Republic Day ,Indians got right to vote and elect their government.
On Republic day , India got its First President of Indian Republic ( Dr.Rajendra Prasad )
On Republic day , Indian Constitution came into force.

On Independence Day the  Prime Minister ( Head of the Government ) hoists the flag on the ramparts of Red Fort.
On Republic Day the  President ( Head of the State or country) hoists  the flag on the ramparts of Red Fort.
 The president is the head of the state, Here state means  country ( India). Not states like Karnataka, TN, Andra , etc,. 
PM is the Head of the Government, President is the Head of the State ( Country-India)).
PM is the real  Chief executive, President is the nominal Chief  Executive. In reality PM is powerful than President .


In simple terms : On Independence day,  the British rule was thrown out.
                            : On Republic day,  the people's rule  was brought in.  
                           
------------------------------------------------------- By M S Vincent : Jan 2014