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OP-ED FEBRUARY 03, 2023 | The Indian Eye 12

“The objective of our Republic is to

secure justice, liberty and equality for

its citizens and to promote fraternity”

This is what President Rajendra Prasad said in the first Republic Day speech.
On each Republic Day, the President’s speech carries significance, as it outlines the programme of

the government that he/she presides over.

n the country’s maiden Re-
public Day on January 26,
O1950, President Rajendra
Prasad gave the first such address.
26 January, 1950, was the day India’s
Constitution came into effect, and
the country became a republic.

Rajendra Prasad, one of the
leaders of the Independence
Movement, became the coun-
try’s first President on this

day. Previously, between 1946-
1949, he had presided over
the Constituent Assembly. The
ceremony took place at Rash-

trapati Bhavan, where Prasad
spoke in Hindi.

He said, “Today, for the first time
in a long and chequered history, we India’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad addresses the nation on January 26, 1950
find the whole of this vast land, from
Kashmir in the north to Cape Co- and resettle all those displaced per- and size was perhaps the same as from our traditions, namely, free-
morin in the south, from Kathiawad sons who have suffered and are still that of the Greek republics of that dom of opinion and expression.
and Cutch in the west to Cocanada suffering great hardships and priva- period… It is for the first time today “It is… in the fitness of things
and Kamrup in the east, brought to- tions. Those who are handicapped that we have inaugurated a constitu- and a culmination of our own cultur-
gether under the jurisdiction of one in any way deserve special help. It is tion which extends to the whole of al traditions that we have been able
Constitution and one Union which essential that in order to achieve this this country and we see the birth of to win freedom without bloodshed
has taken upon itself the responsibil- we must safeguard the freedom that the Federal Republic having states and a very peaceful manner. The Fa-
ity of the welfare of more than 320 is ours today.” which have no sovereignty of their ther of our Nation, Mahatma Gand-
million men and women who inhabit In another speech that day, own and which are really members hi, was not a freak of nature but the
it. Its administration will now be car- Prasad said, “It is a great day for our and parts of one Federation and one physical embodiment and consum-
ried on by and for its people… country… At no period, even during administration. mation of the progress of the spirit
“The objective of our Republic is the most glorious eras of which we “Our Constitution is a democrat- of nonviolence which has been our
to secure justice, liberty and equality have record, was this whole country ic instrument seeking to ensure to great heritage.
for its citizens and to promote frater- brought under one Constitution and the individual citizens the freedoms … Our republic enters the world
nity among the people who inhabit one rule. We have mention of many which are so invaluable. India has stage, therefore, free from pride
its extensive territories and follow republics in our books and our his- never prescribed or prosecuted opin- and prejudice, humbly believing and
different religions, speak various torians have been able to make out ion and faith and our philosophy has striving that in international as well
languages and observe their peculiar a more or less connected and coor- a room as much for a devotee of a as internal affairs our statesmen may
customs… our future program in- dinated piece out of the incidents personal god, as for an agnostic or be guided by the teachings of the Fa-
cludes eradication of disease, poverty and the places which are mentioned an atheist. We shall, therefore, be ther of our Nation– tolerance, under-
and ignorance. in these records. But these republics implementing in practice under our standing, nonviolence and resistance
“We are anxious to rehabilitate were small and tiny and their shape Constitution what we have inherited to aggression.”

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