For many of us, the word “Republic” appears once a year on 26 January. We celebrate one of our national festivals, Republic Day, through parades, flags, and patriotic songs. As kids, we often watched the Republic Day parade on TV with pride and excitement, often not fully understanding it but sensing that it was important. For a short time, everything seemed special. However, once the ceremonies end, we rarely think about the word Republic again. Still, the idea of the Republic was always meant to shape our daily lives, not just one day each year.
India’s choice to become a Republic was more than just a legal move after independence. It was a bold decision to trust its people. At the time, many people were unsure whether such trust would actually work in a country so large and diverse. Power would no longer belong to a king, a dynasty, or one authority, but to ordinary citizens (We the people – opening words in the Preamble). These citizens were different from one another in language, culture, and background, but equal in dignity. It was not an easy step and there was always a chance it might fail. It showed faith in people acting together. It showed faith in the collective responsibility of each citizen.
In simple terms, a Republic means governance in the interest of the people. It means we as citizens are not passive subjects; we are active participants in a shared system. We get our rights because we also perform our duties.
In the Indian context, the idea of the Republic connects closely with the concept of Swaraj—meaning self-rule. It ignited the flame of our freedom struggle, led by stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi and Aurobindo Ghosh. However, it should not be understood only as political freedom but also as self-control and responsibility. The freedom struggle, therefore, was not only about ending foreign rule. It was also about learning how to live with freedom in a disciplined and ethical way to ensure the true essence of Swaraj.
India is known as the land of unity in diversity. The diversity of our nation made this choice especially crucial. With so many languages, religions, cultural and social identities, concentrating power in one place would have excluded many voices. It would have led to the loss of the idea of justice. Thus, the Republican framework offered another path. It ensured equality before the law, Justice—social, economic, political and shared ownership of the state, ensuring respect for individual dignity. Differences were not treated as problems to be removed, but as realities to be respected.
For young people today, being part of a Republic goes far beyond voting once every few years. It is visible in everyday situations. It appears when a student questions an idea in class respectfully, when fairness is chosen during group work, or when someone speaks up against a small injustice instead of staying silent. These moments rarely feel significant, but they quietly keep a Republic alive.
This becomes clear on university campuses. For instance, in our university, after an event, a few students often stay back to clean the space. They themselves pick up the leftover items, clean the space, and bring things into order. No one has asked them to do so, yet they do their role. It is a simple act, but it reflects integrity, responsibility, and respect for shared spaces. At times like this, where we play our rightful part and do our duty, the Republic feels real and present.
Cricket also taught us some valuable lessons. It shows us that no match is won by one player alone. What really matters is how the whole team works together. Sometimes even one extra run, one coordinated catch, can change the result. Sometimes, a player contributes quietly without much attention. Individual brilliance matters, but teamwork and discipline matter more. A Republic functions in much the same way. Together, we all represent Team India. Individual voices do matter, but what is more important is cooperation and mutual respect. Through this, we can ensure the progress of every individual and, hence, the nation.
On this Republic Day, it is worth pausing to reflect not only on how we celebrate, but on how we participate. The Republic grows stronger through everyday behaviour rather than grand speeches. It is not something we inherit on 26 January. It is something we practice, slowly and consistently, in the days that follow.