Every year on 26 January the founding of the independent Republic is celebrated throughout India, but it is in New Delhi, the seat of government, that the festivities have the greatest pomp and splendor.
The spectacular celebrations include the march past of the three armed forces, massive parades and traditional folk dances, as well as music from representatives of the many and diverse states. The festival reaches its climax with an Air Force fly-by, replete with colored smoke.

Although independence from British rule was actually gained on 15 August 1947 - an occasion marked with the Independence Day celebrations every year - the establishment of the Republic actually has its roots in the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of 31 December 1929-1 January 1930.

During the session the tri-color flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge taken that every year, on 26 January, the Independence Day would be celebrated. This declaration of the spirit of independence became reality when the Constitution of India framed by the Constituent Assembly of India came into force on 26 January 1950.

If your definition of being patriotic involves buying a couple of plastic flags from the hawkers at a traffic signal and tuning into the Republic Day parade on national television, then it's time to move a little further this year! Charity begins at home, and similarly the essence of patriotism blossoms nearest to the heart. So follow our simple plan of making this Republic Day a celebration of sorts and give the day the credit it deserves!

Hoist a flag
There are several ways to do this. You could do it atop your residence, make it more personal, but what we'd like to see is a spirit of unity this Republic Day. So get together a group of enthusiastic friends and neighbours and organize a flag hoisting ceremony in your area of residence. Add some tasteful patriotic music, some fun games and make the event enjoyable to everyone involved. But make sure you treat the flag with respect and avoid puncturing the ear drums of your neighbours with extremely loud music.

Make a flag
It's easy to buy a flag and hoist it but what would reflect a true spirit of nationality would be a hand made flag, one that conforms to the rules that govern the production of the Indian National flag. So, stick with the rules, whether you plan to hoist it in public or make it a purely personal project.

Make the perfect Republic Day CD
Start compiling a list of songs that imbibe the spirit of India as a Republic. Old, new, filmy, cross-over, the genre doesn't matter. Get these songs together and compile a CD. What is of importance is the message it conveys. Play this CD throughout the 26th of January and remind your family and friends this isn't just another national holiday! But remember, you need to stand up when the National Anthem plays!

Cinema with spirit!
It's time to pay the depiction of nationality on the most popular medium some attention, now that you've got a list of patriotic songs. Take a look at our list of popular patriotic films, get hold of a few, if not the entire collection, and stock up on popcorn and switch on your DVD player as soon as you're done with the Parade on TV.