In view of India’s 74th Republic Day, yesterday January 26, our managing director Mrs. Xenia Neophytou, had the honour to attend the lunch event organized by the High Commissioner of India, Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat at the Radisson Beach Resort in Larnaca.

The public holiday marks the anniversary of India officially adopting its constitution, making it a sovereign republic. The main event for the holiday is a massive parade held in the capital of New Delhi, which includes cultural, historical, and military displays. The parade is preceded by the prime minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti — an arched war memorial — and taking a moment of silence to commemorate fallen soldiers.

It was a great pleasure to be included in such an important event!

Republic Day is one of three Indian national holidays and it commemorates the enactment of the constitution of India, which occurred on January 26, 1950. On August 15, 1947, India declared its independence from Britain (a day recognized as a separate national holiday); yet, for its first three years the country remained governed largely by the colonial Government of India Act of 1935.

Shortly after independence was declared, a constituent assembly elected by provincial assemblies went about drafting a constitution that would govern the newly independent nation. The Indian Constitution, which strengthened the foundation of India’s independent democratic governance, was finished after more than two years. As a nod to the Indian National Congress’ Purna Swaraj (full self-rule) independence proclamation from 1930, which is seen as the first tangible step toward independence from Britain, January 26 was chosen as the formal enactment date.With the 1950 constitution, the country was officially known as the Republic of India — a “sovereign socialist secular democratic republic” that “secures all its citizens justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity,” according to its preamble.

So, India, Happy Republic Day 2023!