Delhi became a “land of fairies” on the night of January 26, 1950, when famous public buildings, parks and railway stations were lit up with lights after India gained independence from British rule three years after becoming a republic.
Soon after Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the first President of India on the historic day, the country erupted in celebration and the first Republic Day ceremony was held here at the Arun Stadium (now Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium).
Archival photographs and reports drawn from the Parliament Museum and Archives, which give a glimpse of these happy scenes, are on display at the ongoing World Book Fair in New Delhi.
The theme of this year’s fair is ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and a special pavilion traces the journey to India.
A report in “The Times of India” Includes rare exhibits with images of illuminated buildings, gardens and other public spaces.
Dated January 28, 1950, the report contains a collage of eight photographs titled ‘Daily by Night on Republic Day’ with a detailed news headline ‘Capital’s a Fairyland on Republic Day’.
Among the luminary landmarks highlighted in the report is the legendary Clock Tower of Old Delhi.
The clock tower, built by the British in the 1870s, stood in the Chandni Chowk street in front of the former MCD headquarters until about 70 years ago. Although ‘Ghantghar’ is long gone, people still call the area by the same name.
A collage from the 1950 report shows that the Town Hall, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Municipal Garden, Fountains near Parliament and Old Delhi Railway Station were also illuminated on the occasion.
“After sunset, floodlighting and thousands of colorful lamps transformed the capital into a fairyland and vast crowds gathered around with unrelenting energy,” the report reads.
Reports published in Hindi daily newspapers. ‘India’ And ‘Swatantra Bharat’ are also kept as part of the exhibition at the Book Fair which ends on March 5.
“India was declared an independent democratic republic at 10:18 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, 1950, in a most solemn ceremony held in the magnificent and lofty dome of the Durbar Hall of Government House. Six minutes later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad He was sworn in as President. Military newspaper (now Senak Samachar4 February 1950 under the title ‘Birth of a Republic’.
“The birth of the Republic of India and the installation of its first President was announced shortly after 10:30 a.m. by a 31-gun salute.”
A photograph of Mr. Prasad’s swearing-in ceremony is also part of the exhibition.
The Parliament Museum and Archives has also exhibited some rare photographs of the Constituent Assembly of India and its members.
Parliament Museum and Archives Exhibition on the Drafting of the Indian Constitution. Photo: Twitter/@LokSabha_PRIDE
A group photograph of members of the Constituent Assembly taken in the Parliament premises is also on display.
This photo was taken by AR Dutt & Sons Studios, one of the oldest studios in Delhi.
This was told by Anuj Dutt, the grandson of AR Dutt, the founder of the studio PTI“My grandfather used a panoramic camera at the time to capture such a large number of people in one frame. It’s nice to know that his photograph is on display.”
The first session of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9 December 1946 in the August Central Chamber (Central Hall) of Parliament. It adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949 which came into force on 26 January 1950, marking the birth of the Republic of India.
Exhibits include a monochrome photograph showing some members of the Constituent Assembly arriving to attend its first session and the text of an invitation sent by the Secretary of the Constituent Assembly to its members.
Rare photographs of some members of the Constituent Assembly, including its President Rajendra Prasad, and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru signing the Indian Constitution.
The Parliament Library is also organizing an exhibition of its books and photocopies of various rare documents.
The Parliament Museum and Archives is exhibiting collections of national and international rare stamps. Photo: Twitter/@LokSabha_PRIDE
The exhibition contains a report published on 27 November 1949 – ‘Indian Constitution Adopted – Completion of Three Years’ Work’.
A replica of the Indian Constitution encased in glass and a model of its architect BR Ambedkar are also on display.