ACR 147: India Republic Day.

WHEREAS, Republic Day is one of the three national holidays of India and is celebrated every year on January 26. It was during the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December 31, 1929, to January 1, 1930, inclusive, that the tricolor flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge was taken that on January 26 of every year, Republic Day would be celebrated and that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a sovereign democratic republic. The professed pledge was successfully redeemed on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India framed by the Constituent Assembly of India came into force, although independence from British rule was already achieved on August 15, 1947; and

WHEREAS, Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, it did not yet have a permanent constitution. Instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935, and the country was a dominion, with King George VI as head of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General of India. On August 29, 1947, the drafting committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman. While Indias Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British rule, Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution; and

WHEREAS, A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Constituent Assembly of India on November 4, 1947. The assembly met, in sessions open to the public, for 166 days, spread over a period of two years, 11 months, and 18 days before adopting the constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the assembly signed two handwritten copies of the document, one each in Hindi and English, on January 24, 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands; and

WHEREAS, Today, Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in New Delhi, the capital of India where celebrations commence at the presidential level. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of the country. The president awards medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valor in situations; and

WHEREAS, The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented on this occasion, which makes Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India; and

WHEREAS, Republic Day serves to remind us that the foundation of any nation and our state is in its people, in their spirit and courage in the face of adversity, and in their willingness to sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and liberty; and

WHEREAS, Republic Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the many achievements of the large Asian Indian community here in California, which is home to the largest population of Asian Indians in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Achievements by Asian Indians in America and California include contributions to all facets of our community, including our culture and society through their achievements in food, medicine, business, and technology; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims January 26, 2018, as India Republic Day, and urges all Californians to join in celebrating India Republic Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.