LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC

Republic Day, we Indians are justifiably proud of this momentous day, when we adopted our constitution and finally bid adieu to the British crown forever. As a kid, when there was no TV, we would eagerly wait for the day, go to school very proudly, be part of the flag hoisting and sing the National Anthem with patriotic fervour culminating in the Bharat Mata ki Jai!   I chose the profession of arms rather early and joined the RIMC Dehradun, proudly adorned the Olive Greens for the first time as an eleven year old way back in 1978. The colours of the uniform underwent some changes in the course of last 45 years, turning Khaki for a brief period in NDA for three years, thereafter it was OGs and combats till I landed up in NSG, the Black Cats and am equally proud of the black attire.

  On 26th January the President reviews the parade and a kaleidoscopic display of the unparalleled, unmatched diversity of a vibrant democracy is presented, the proud citizens watch the grand event with justifiable pride. The President's address which was eagerly awaited in the days of yore, without TV is however, just ignored these days. Old timers would recall the mellifluous rich baritone of Melville de Mellow and Jasdev Singh reporting on this important national event. We did not miss the TV, as the live commentary actually brought the detailed account of the Parade in the drawing rooms where the radios were housed and the whole family sat there spellbound, with each individual imagining the splendour of the marching contingents in their own way. One major attraction were the children who were awarded for their conspicuous acts of bravery, who would be perched atop elephants and would also form part of the procession. The most poignant moment was always the posthumous award of Param Veer Chakra or Ashok Chakra to the Next of Kin of the brave sons of India, who had sacrificed their lives in the defence of the country.

  Plato's Republic was authored way back in 375 BC. The word republic in English originated in the early 16th century. Its etymology is traced to Latin rēs pūblica, meaning “public thing,” in other words, the state is run by the people who are elected as against the monarchy which is based on heredity. In India we did have a democratic set up at village level as recorded, however, monarchy was prevalent and hence could not be classified as a republic. Although there were a few instances when the monarchs were also chosen by the people, but thereafter the rulers practised heredity for succession. World had to do with some "banana republics" in the comity of nations, but thankfully unlike our neighbours, ours is a genuine one. So there is an  Islamic republic of Pakistan or a Democratic Republic of Korea, little realising that merely calling themselves republic does not make them one. "Republic" these days has also been usurped by  an electronic media channel. US of course boasts of Republicans as a dominant political party, although in the recent past ex President Trump reduced the republic and the republicans to a rump of democracy, treating the public to burlesque acts. Republic  has "pub" closeted within, may be it is the effect of heavy duty binges indulged in.

  In the military units, the only celebration is the invite to the Junior Commissioned Officers for cocktails to the Officers Mess. The JCOs reciprocate by inviting the officers to the JCOs Mess on 15th August. The tradition can be traced back to the 15th August 1947, when India won its independence the JCOs hosted Indian Army Officers to their Mess, as the Officers Mess also had British Officers as members of the Mess. This was reciprocated by the officers on Republic Day from 26th Jan 1950. Army takes pride in its traditions and lives by them. 

I wonder why is formal flag hoisting  not carried out in the units and formation Headquarters on these important occasions. May be the men in uniform felt that they don't have to carry patriotism on their sleeve, the rest of the citizens get to display it only twice in a year.