The Indian Republic is completing its 50 years tomorrow, the 26^th January, 2000. The completion of 50 years of our Republic is an occasion to rejoice, to take stock of the promises which have remained unfulfilled and an opportunity to build up a vision of the future.

    To commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Indian Republic, the celebrations would start from 26^th January, 2000 for a period of one year with a set of inaugural events in the capital of the country.

    The theme of the celebrations would be the message of a confident and resurgent India marching ahead and of showcasing our cultural heritage and progress, a "Bharat Darshan" of modern India. The emphasis in commemoration would be on creation of permanent assets-such as Golden Jubilee parks in State Capitals. Parks/Memorials would also be created at places associated with eminent personalities or important historical events during the freedom movement.

    Republic Day Folk Dance Festival has been organised with more colour and variety. All the seven Zonal Cultural Centres are taking part in it. Every year it was organised at three or four venues only but this year it is being held at 11 venues of the capital.

    Some of the most exotic folk dances have been selected for the event viz., Chholia Dance from U.P., Kaksar Dance of M.P., Teratali of Rajasthan, Rikhampada of Arunachal Pradesh, Litho Shele Pheta of Nagaland, Mogh Dance of Tripura, Kamsale of Karnataka, Kud of Jammu and Kashmir, Charaya of Orissa, Davantham of Tamil Nadu. In total 26 folk dances will be presented at the festival of the theme "Salute to the Motherland".

REPUBLIC DAY PARADE :

    The Republic Day Parade will include a signature float entitled "We, the people of India" depicting the past struggle, the present achievements and future hope of the country. The float symbolizes the entire country and its people. The float projects the Constitution of India which represent the resolve and values of the People. It also shows the pillars of the Indian Constitution a vibrant Democracy, a strong Legislature and an independent Judiciary.

    Another item of the celebrations will be ‘Drums of India" which will be the last cultural item of the parade. Cultural items by four children’s groups based on traditional folk dance will also be presented in the Republic Day parade. They include Songi Mukhaota of Maharashtra, comprising 178 children, Ghoomar of Haryana by 191 girls, Dholu Kunitha of Karnataka by 135 children and Dhol Cholam of Manipur to be presented by 163 children.

    A Special function will be organised in the Central Hall of Parliament at 11.30 a.m. on 27^th January to commemorate the adoption of Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly. The function will be attended by Member of Parliament from both the Houses and dignitaries including President, Vice President, Prime Minister and the Speaker. Speeches of great leaders who contributed in a big way to the framing of Indian Constitution viz. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, and Sardar Patel will be voiced on the occasion. Look alike copies of calligraphed version of the Constitution in Hindi and English will be made available to Members of Parliament on the occasion. Commemorative Stamps will be released to mark 50^th Anniversary of the Republic.

    A cultural mega event will be held in National Stadium on the afternoon of 27^th January heralding the power of youth in the modern India. Starting with invocation song by the students of Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya, the function will bring alive, the glimpses of the varied and colourful cultural facets of the country through folk and classical dances as well as the Drums and Bugules of India. While the function includes rendition of partiotic songs by well known singers Lata Mangeshkar, Yesudas, Jasraj, Hariharan, S.P. Balasubramaniam, Parveen Sultana etc. There shall also be a choreographed session on ‘Vande Matram’ by 3300 children. A Video CD titled "Jana Gana Mana" shall be presented to the singers by the Prime Minister.

    A youth parliament composed of young achievers below the age of 40 to discuss ideas of modern India and the vision for the future. The Parliament is likely to be held in the month of February. Young achievers from all over the country numbering about 500 will take part in the event.

    A national theatre festival will be organised by National School of Drama in the month of March 2000 to pay rich tributes to the theatre traditions of the country. Regional theatres from different parts of the country will take part in it.

    The exhibition include original archival records, original Constitution, contemporary photographs, press clippings, private papers to depict our freedom struggle and making of a nation. It begins with the Purna Swaraj pledge of 26^th January, 1930 and chronologically highlights different facets of Indian nationalist and Constitutional movement, People’s participation in the Nation building process and governance culminating in our freedom and Sovereign Democratic Republic in 1950 that had grown up to be "We, the People of India".