Today is India's Republic Day, the 70th anniversary of the Constitution, which came into effect on January 26,1950 to guide the country as it moved away from being a British Dominion to a self-governing Republic. The seemingly arbitrary date was chosen as it was the date that the Declaration of Indian Independence was made (in 1929) although freedom from British rule did not come until 1947.
As a Canadian, celebrating the evolution from a Dominion Government to full self-governing independence rings loudly, although Canada achieved its self-governance without bloodshed, unlike India. That may have partly been because it was only in 1982 that the Canada Act repatriated its constitution.
But today is for India, and a hope its future is calmer than its past! With India's love of colour, spectacle and grandiose display, coupled with a history tied to Britain and the British love of processional celebration and hierarchical uniforms showing rank and position, there is an incredible parade along all the grand boulevards of New Delhi. Camels, elephants, vehicles decked out in lavish decoration, and personnel in every conceivable colour and headdress. Throngs line the sidewalks and sit in decorated stalls between India gate, the memorial to the dead of WW1, and the government buildings inspired by Washington DC, as the parade winds along boulevards inspired by Paris. Architect of New Delhi Edwin Lutyens must be very happy to see his vision so well attended and decked out.
We are watching the parade on TV from our hotel room, preparing for the next part of our own adventure. We are a little unsure as to what kind of traffic scene we will experience today, being the holiday, but it is also Sunday and Raj is a great driver, so I am thinking it's going to be another effortless day on our part as we are shunted form one place to another. Cake is the last thing my body needs with so little physical exercise compared to our previous trips where we just walked all day long.Poor us, living in the lap of Indian efficiency and luxury! Well, maybe just a bite.
As a Canadian, celebrating the evolution from a Dominion Government to full self-governing independence rings loudly, although Canada achieved its self-governance without bloodshed, unlike India. That may have partly been because it was only in 1982 that the Canada Act repatriated its constitution.
But today is for India, and a hope its future is calmer than its past! With India's love of colour, spectacle and grandiose display, coupled with a history tied to Britain and the British love of processional celebration and hierarchical uniforms showing rank and position, there is an incredible parade along all the grand boulevards of New Delhi. Camels, elephants, vehicles decked out in lavish decoration, and personnel in every conceivable colour and headdress. Throngs line the sidewalks and sit in decorated stalls between India gate, the memorial to the dead of WW1, and the government buildings inspired by Washington DC, as the parade winds along boulevards inspired by Paris. Architect of New Delhi Edwin Lutyens must be very happy to see his vision so well attended and decked out.
We are watching the parade on TV from our hotel room, preparing for the next part of our own adventure. We are a little unsure as to what kind of traffic scene we will experience today, being the holiday, but it is also Sunday and Raj is a great driver, so I am thinking it's going to be another effortless day on our part as we are shunted form one place to another. Cake is the last thing my body needs with so little physical exercise compared to our previous trips where we just walked all day long.Poor us, living in the lap of Indian efficiency and luxury! Well, maybe just a bite.
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| An offering to us from the hotel in honour of Republic Day |
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