Skip to main content

Why do we celebrate Republic Day? Annie Mascarene's 1949 speech explains significance of Republic Day

As we gear up to celebrate India's Republic Day on January 26th, the past beckons. It makes sense to look back and learn something new about the era that we know so little about. Not merely for the purpose of sending WhatsApp greetings or messages, the significance of Republic Day is definitely worth contemplating upon.
                                                     (Image: Pexels)

Significance of Republic Day

Anyone familiar with India's history or law knows the significance of Republic Day. For a large section of the society, Republic Day is just another gazetted holiday, a break from a hectic work schedule and one of those rare days that can be enjoyed while watching every state showcase its unique cultural dimensions as part of the Republic Day parade.

But so much of history, brimming with electrifying sentiment and passion for the nation's glorious breaking away from the colonial mould, is still unknown to many Indians.
Constituent Assembly Debates
An exploration of the Constituent Assembly debates is a goldmine of information that every Indian should study to understand the nation's real metamorphosis. 
When you read through the debates of these extraordinary Indians, men and women who were not just intellectual giants but they came with a passion so rare, a determination and dedication so sincere, every word from these debates is worth studying!
Deeply inspiring and thought-provoking is Annie Mascarne's speech to the Constituent Assembly on 18th November 1949. While her speech is a gentle reminder to Indians about the significance of India's Constitution, she is also candid about the 'imperfections ascribed to our Constitution' by others.
A persuasive counter argument that Annie urges every Indian to consider is reflected in her address to the Constituent Assembly. 
She asks, "France started its Constitution with the storming of the Bastille, and it had to wait 100 years before it could frame its Constitution; meanwhile it swung between dictatorship and republicanism. Is there any other nation in the world today which deliberately elected a Constituent Assembly which sat for three years continuously and framed its Constitution?" 
                                                        (Image: Pexels)
Why is India called a Republic? 
Representing the then state of Travancore, here is Annie Mascarane's speech before the Constituent Assembly of India. This is available for reference in the Constituent Assembly debates, Vol X - 6th to 17th October 1949.

"We are, Sir, on the eve of a historic occasion, when this ancient sub-continent of ours, which had been a laboratory of political experiments of nations in the world, which had been a caravanserai, where nation after nation and sultan after sultan came and went their way, is going to solemnly declare by the sovereign will of its people, a Sovereign Democratic Republic, to secure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for all its citizens.

Never in the history of the world, Sir, has a nation of such magnitude and population, with a history and tradition of non-violence, culture and sacrifice, fought and defeated the mightiest Empire in the world, with a galaxy of distinguished leadership that stands before time like beacon lights, has declared its sovereign will to lay down a democratic constitution.

When passion is high after the end of two world wars in history, when reason and common sense are at a discount and principles of liberty, equality and fraternity are resounding such intoxicating music in our ears, it is at this time, Sir, that we, the greatest nation in the world, have decided to frame our Constitution....
This is the first instance when heterogeneous interests in a continent state like India have united themselves to form a homogeneous unit in order to lay rules and regulations that should lead us or guide in future to live a national life."
More delightful of all is the fact that the Constituent Assembly embraced an inclusive approach. Wondering how? Giving equal space for Indian women to not only voice their views on highly technical aspects of drafting the Constitution of India but also encouraging them to disagree and debate on all issues related to India's emergence as a sovereign republic. 
Surely, members like Annie Mascarene would have been pleased to know that their words, a precious legacy and a part of India's constitutional history, is leading us back to them and to take inspiration from them so many decades later.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...
181 comments
Read more

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. When lighting diyas on Fridays, it is better to use ghee than oil, if possible. [ Connect with Svara on Facebook ] [Read: Vidyarambham - The Labyrinth Within] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. At what time should we light diya today? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. An ideal time would be to light the diya at least half an hour before sunset. Can we light diya after 12 PM? In Hindu homes, the diya is lit early morning at around sunrise and towards evening sunset. Can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Does something bad happen if the diya goes off?

Is it bad if a diya goes off? This is a frequently asked question among people who light the evening lamp or diya regularly in their puja room.  [READ: How To Light Deepam at Home and  Why Malayalis Light Nilavilaku ]                                                     [Image by Sachin Yadav @ Pixabay] Why Did My Lamp Suddenly Turn Off? Where there is faith, there should be no scope for fear - this is Bhagawan Krishna's message to Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.  That represents strength of Bhakti. [READ: Bhakti: Meera's Greatest Wealth] Consider another example in the tradition of Bhakti.  When Prahlada, a young lad, is targeted by his own father, he remains calm under every situation. When he is thrown into the sea, the wise lad is reminded that the sea is the abode of Shriman Narayana. [ READ: Amazing Stories of Lord Shiva ] H...
Post a Comment
Read more

Saree Woes 2

Our earlier discussion on Saree Woes really perked up my spirits. A big thanks to all of you for pepping me up. Okay, here's the good news. There was an unexpected late night party that I had to attend in Gurgaon. To be honest, I haven't had the time or energy to attend any such parties after Adi was born. I was sure I wouldn't have the confidence to make conversation with the glitterati, let alone feel confident to carry off wearing a saree. This is one of those parties where you have to be dressed very formally. Well, at the end of a working woman's day, you hardly feel ready to attend one of these parties looking like a moron, right? So, with very little preparation and very few hours left, I called on all the gods in Heaven to help me look a little younger and prettier since I don't have the magic to look young all on my own. Although I was tempted to wear one of my awesome Kancheevaram treasures, I knew it would be very difficult to drape it without any h...
33 comments
Read more

Do you have a List? I don't!

The wise people in my life have always advised me to be organized and making lists is the best way to get started. However, I don’t make lists and when I do, I lose them somewhere and end up spending more time and effort searching for it and finally, it leads me to tears. Before marriage, I never understood the value of time. My father always told me how important it is to make use of time and his formula was  'Time is God' but I didn't understand it. Of course, watching MTV and reading books and wandering out with friends is how I spent most of my time. Now, I realize that if I had been more time-conscious, there is so much that I would love to do with my time. I have a lot of shortcomings as a person but I am very proud about the fact that I work very hard at everything that I do and I utilize my every hour of every day and extract the best out of it. A normal day is when I just get very busy, going from task to task of what seems important, listening to my inner ...
25 comments
Read more