LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA ~ REQUESTING TO SHIFT THE VENUE OF REPUBLIC DAY PARADE

Your Excellency,

India is a great Nation, proud of an ancient 5000 year old Civilization. It is the second most populous State in the World. After Independence, from the Colonial Rule of British on 15^th August 1947, India became a Republic on 26^th January 1950.

In commemoration of the Republic, every year 26^th January is celebrated on a grand scale with great pomp show and gaiety, with a big Parade in the National Capital, New Delhi. The Republic Day Parade unfolds on a grand scale in New Delhi’s most important thoroughfare – Raj Path, connecting in a straight line President of India’s Palace, Rashtrapathi Bhavan and India Gate, the great memorial to the Soldiers who had laid their lives in the two World Wars.

In the morning, the Republic Day Parade showcases to the Nation and to the World, Country’s Military Might, Nation’s Capabilities, rich Diversity, varied Cultural Depths, as also the Development of the Nation, and Progress of the States and Union Territories. The mighty impressive Parade, is made up of strong Military Contingents of Army, Navy Air Force marching through, in their colourful Ceremonial Uniforms, with their Bands playing special Martial Tunes, followed by Tanks, Armoured Carriers etc, Heavy Guns hurtling down the Raj Path; and then the different powerful Missiles Radars and Aircrafts mounted on Special Trucks; with various Models of Warships and Submarines of Navy and Patrol Crafts of Coast Guard; Para-Military and Central Police Forces marching with their Bands and Camel Cavalry; March-Past by State and Union Territory Police Forces; Tableaux of Central Govt Ministries, various Departments and Offices, and of many States and UTs; followed by School Children in their excellent fineries performing Drills etc, and select Tribal Dances from various States.

Cutting across the Raj Path are four important Roads, with the Ministries, Departments and important Offices on either-side of them. Therefore, Security in these areas are reinforced, almost a month or two before the Republic Day Parade. On everyday of the Parade Rehearsals, people can not use these roads, as they are closed, and traffic is diverted, through other round about longer routes.

New Delhi is growing fast and rapidly, amongst many important cities of the World. Keeping this in mind, many Roads are being widened, and many traffic over-bridges are being constructed in most places of Delhi. In addition, due to Metro Rail Constructions, and Works of Commonwealth Games 2010, many of the Roads in Delhi, have now become one-way, causing immense problems to the traffic – especially the office goers, college and school children, and to those all moving on some urgent works or emergency; or rushing out to catch their trains and flights. Almost everyone from every-walks of life is being adversely affected.

Under these circumstances, common people of Delhi are put to great inconveniences, regularly every year, when Rajpath and the other cross roads are closed for Republic Day Rehearsals and the Parade on 26^th January.

Further, these days, Republic Day Celebrations needs to be organised with great care and caution to keep the daredevil terrorists away from causing any disturbance or trouble.

Many different Central Ministries, Departments and various Attached Offices, as well as States and UTs participate in the Republic Day Parade with their finely decorated special Tableaus. In addition many men and women, girls and boys, serving and retired soldiers, Para-military forces, Central and State Police, different Award Winners, as well as those visiting Delhi on those days, and those coming specially to see the parade, the families and friends of those participating in the parade, or called to Delhi to receive awards from the President of India, move around the city and watch the Parade, or at least the Parade Rehearsals. Further, the Celebrations take place at almost the peak of Delhi’s Cold Winter, which environment is not suitable for the health and well being of many coming for the Parade.

Keeping in view all the above, it needs to be examined, why the main National Republic Day Parade by Govt of India, not be Celebrated on a rotation basis, in other State Capitals and or may be in other big Cities.

The advantages of holding the National Republic Day Parades in the State Capitals and other big Cities are –

1. People all over the Country, on seeing the Parade in their States Capitals and Cities, will imbibe more the rich feeling that we are a great Republic;

2. States holding the National Republic Day Parade will benefit immensely;

3. Visiting Participants of the Parade from different States/UTs, and other Visitors from the neighboring States and UTs and other distant Regions wanting to see the Parade, coming in big groups will bring their different special cultures and habits, for the local people to see understand and appreciate them in person;

4. What Delhi and neighboring people see and enjoy every year during the Parade, will also be seen enjoyed and relished by the people of other States and UTs;

5. Parents, Family Members, other Relatives, Friends, Colleagues, Teachers etc of the local participants will be enthused and get an easy chance to come and see the parade and their boys and girls and men and women participating in the Grand National Parade;

6. Financial Expenses, other outlays and expenses involved in conducting the National Republic Day Parade in other States and UTs will be far lesser than that being incurred these days in Delhi;

7. Infrastructure Facilities like Roads Lighting Offices Hospitals; their getups looks functioning and efficiency, in the cities hosting the National Republic Day Parade and other related functions, will improve considerably, making the City a miniature Republic Day City, benefiting the local people and the State/UT much after the Celebrations;

8. Delhi, spared of the tensions associated with the Republic Day Parade every year, will cease to be city under siege or become a police state during the Parade Days;

9. People of Delhi, will be spared of taking long diversionary routes, burning avoidable petrol during the Rehearsal and Parade Days, every year.

While the World Level and multi-National mega Events like Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, are being held each time in a different City and new Country, why not the National Republic Day Parade and Celebrations be held in different Cities, and States and UTs in India? Why only in Delhi every year for the last nearly six decades?

I Request that, the National Republic Day Parade and Celebrations be held, in different Cities, and States and UTs. Necessary Policy Decisions, Logistic Arrangements, Infra Structure Arrangements like Refurbishing Renewal Rebuilding and fresh Building etc, may kindly be undertaken.

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely
Ambeth Rajan