The High Commission of India in Pretoria celebrated India’s 76th Republic Day on Sunday, 26 January 2025. Community members and friends of India attended the flag hoisting ceremony to mark the occasion.
Seventy-five years ago, The Constitution of India, the country’s founding document, came into effect. After nearly three years of debate, the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949, and since 2015, that day has been celebrated annually as Constitution Day.
Republic Day is a moment of collective joy and pride for all citizens of India. Over the past 75 years, India’s spirit has awakened and the nation has made remarkable strides in reclaiming its place among the world’s oldest civilisations. Historically celebrated as a source of knowledge and wisdom, India continues to honour that legacy.
Long before women’s equality became a global ideal, Indian women were already playing vital roles in shaping the destiny of the nation. The Constitution not only enshrines equality but also forms the foundation of India’s collective identity, binding its diverse population together as one family and guiding the country’s progress.
The 75 years of constitutional democracy have been marked by the all-round development of a young republic. At the time of independence, and for years after, large parts of the country faced extreme poverty and hunger. Yet, one resource India was never short of was its people’s belief in themselves.
Labourers and farmers worked tirelessly to transform the country’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, achieving self-sufficiency in food production. Thanks to their efforts, India today plays a significant role in global economic trends and has assumed leadership in international forums.
Guests at the event enjoyed a beautiful dance performance, bringing a vibrant close to the day’s celebrations.
by Marion Kate
