Indiascope- As India Engages With The World: The Republic of India

"If I were asked under what sky the human mind has fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered over the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I would point to India." (Max Mueller, German Scholar)

Hello friends, as the rays of the sun unleashed on the land of India, our nation is all set to celebrate its 72nd Republic day. The day when India and its people started a new journey. The day when it's foundational values engraved in the Constitution started to design the lives of Indians. The Constitution of India became enforceable and the Law of the Land. India became the Republic of India.

The constitution is the product of the hard work of stalwarts like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and distinguished Constituent Assembly members. After years of British colonial rule, 'We, the people of India solemnly resolve ourselves to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic, Secular Republic.' Each of these words has a significance of its own. Let's focus on Republic and what does it signify?

Republic means the Head of State is elected from its own people, directly or indirectly. The President of India is indirectly elected by the people. This marks a sharp contrast with the British system where the head of State is monarch I.e Queen.

President of India is the highest constitutional office in the Republic of India. All the decisions taken by the government are taken in the name of the President.

This includes declaring war and peace, signing treaties with foreign countries, appointing Ambassadors. These all decisions are taken on behalf of the people of India. Republic summarizes all this in a single word.

The Constitution of India also mentions article 51 which deals with the foreign policy of India. It constitutionally abides any government in power for the promotion of international peace and security.

These values have been cherished for so long by Indians since time immemorial. From Gautama Buddha to Samrat Ashoka or its Mahatma Gandhi, India has been striving for living in peace.

However, it would be a fatal mistake if we do not to take a realistic look at our weaknesses. Problems that engulf us today are a mix of same-age old problems of discrimination, communalism, riots, and gender inequality. With these, new problems like cybersecurity, misuse of the internet, and digital inequality have unfolded before us. Covid 19 has reminded us what kind of future we are going to face.

Tackling each of these will require fresh approaches, fresh ways to think. Celebrating Republic day is important for this. As every year Republic day celebrations take place all over the country, the 26th of January is the day when we remember the commitment to strive for a better individual, a better society, and a better nation.

(source- Pinterest)

Unity in Diversity

With its innumerable diversities in cultures, languages, religions, etc, India has survived as a multicultural society within a single integrated unit. It has added emphasis on Unity in Diversity. Our first PM Jawaharlal Nehru remarked once, "who lives if India dies?" These diversities make India a lively nation whose spirit never dies. The Republic of India is the emblem of this immortal spirit. It reminds us that we have come a long way facing all the odds and we have a long way to go.