Who among the following was the first chief guest to attend the Republic Day in 1950?
Sukarno
India's First Republic Day Chief Guest
India celebrates its Republic Day every year on January 26th. This day marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India and thus turning the nation into a newly formed republic.
A significant tradition of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi is inviting a Head of State or Government from another country as the chief guest. This tradition started right from the very first Republic Day.
Let's look at the first Republic Day held on January 26, 1950, to determine the chief guest.
For the inaugural Republic Day celebration in 1950, India invited a prominent leader from Southeast Asia.
- The chief guest for the first Republic Day parade was President Sukarno.
- Sukarno was the first President of Indonesia.
- His presence symbolised the strong ties and solidarity between India and Indonesia, two newly independent Asian nations.
Therefore, Sukarno holds the distinction of being the first chief guest at India's Republic Day.
Revision Table: First Republic Day Chief Guest
| Event | Date | Significance | First Chief Guest | Chief Guest's Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Republic Day | January 26, 1950 | Constitution of India came into effect | Sukarno | Indonesia |
Additional Information on Republic Day Chief Guests
The tradition of inviting a chief guest on Republic Day is seen as a symbol of diplomatic relationship and friendship between India and the invited country. Over the years, heads of state and government from various countries across the world have graced the occasion.
Some early chief guests after 1950 included:
- King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal in 1951.
- King Farouk of Egypt in 1952.
- King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck of Bhutan in 1954.
The invitation is usually extended well in advance, and the chief guest attends the Republic Day parade in New Delhi and is also accorded other ceremonial welcomes and meetings.
Important Questions from India’s Foreign Policy
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(a) India’s ‘Link West Policy’ is an attempt to reconnect to the Western World.
(b) ‘Project Mausam’ is an Indian initiative for maritime cooperation in Indian ocean region.
(c) ‘Operation Rahat’ was conducted by India to rescue Indians from Libya.
(d) India has become member of Shanghai’ cooperation organisation.
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