By Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues
When in 1950 India proclaimed a sovereign republic how did the Portuguese and the Goans react? The news was carried and reported by the local media and was given front page coverage.
After three years the Indian Constituent Assembly finished elaborating the Indian Constitution, which was put into practice after proclamation of Sovereign Democratic Republic of India on January 26, 1950.
Why was 26thof January selected by the Indian government for proclamation of the Republic? This date is the anniversary of the day the Indian National Congress used to celebrate the “Independence Day”, when the nation was still under British rule and was selected by the people of India, 20 years back, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who had declared the firm resolution of obtaining the independence of India.
Going through records one reads in the January 26, 1950 issue of the ‘Heraldo’ the following headline “A nova Republica da India e a sua Constituição” (The new Republic of India and its Constitution). In a two column article it discusses the salient features of the Indian Constitution.
The media also covered the election of the first president of the Republic of India by the Constituent Assembly, which had unanimously elected Dr Rajendra Prasad. A long article gives the biography of Rajendra Prasad, which was based on a detailed biographical write up on him by Yussuf Meherally. They also carried a photo of Dr Rajendra Prasad signing the new Constitution and Dr Ambedkar watching him.
In Goa, the Consul General of India read the proclamation of the Republic according to the established norms. Before this he read the preamble of the Constitution of India and a message of the Prime Minister to the Indians outside India. This message of the Prime Minister to the people on the occasion of the inauguration of the Republic of India was published on the first page.
The Consul, Major Ashoka Mehta in his speech spoke about the struggle of India for its independence and the pledge taken by Indian National Congress to attain the independence. The Consul General of India in Goa, Major Ashoka Mehta and his wife held a reception for guests in the evening at the Consulate in Altinho, Panjim. In the morning the flag was hoisted in the presence of Indian nationals in Goa and local residents
The Governor of Goa sent a telegram to the president of India congratulating him on the proclamation of the Republic. The following is the text: “On the historic day of the proclamation of Republic of India and your Excellency’s election to be the first President; I have the honour to present to your Excellency my sincere felicitations with my wishes for progress and happiness of this country and personal prosperities of Your Excellency.”
The papers also give a report of the happenings at Lisbon at the Indian Legation on the proclamation of the Indian Republic. The Indian minister, Mr Atchuta Menon hoisted the Indian flag for the first time in Lisbon and held a reception. Names of a few guests are mentioned. At the time other diplomatic staff at the legation included Rajesh Kairaghar Birendra Bhadur, Minister of Legation and the secretary was Mr Mendes, of Goan origin, who along with his wife did the honours as hosts and welcomed the guests in Portuguese.
The happenings in the Durbar Hall of the Parliament House were also reported on the first page, with the details of the ceremony in the presence of a vast number of guests, which included members of government, diplomats, higher civil and military staff and bureaucracy, politicians, businessmen, press, etc. The chief guest of the function was Dr Sockarno, the president of Republic of Indonesia.
At 10.10 a.m. the governor general Dr Rajagopalachari entered the hall and the ceremony began with the proclamation of the Republic read by him.
His speech was transcribed. Some excerpts:
“Considering that the people of India resolved to proclaim India as a Sovereign and Democratic Republic and for this effect formulated a constitution, approved on 26thNovember 1949”;
“Considering that it was resolved that this constitution comes to vigour on this date, 26thJanuary 1950”
“I have received a communiqué from the secretary of Constituent Assembly that this Assembly elected in its session of 24thJanuary 1950, Shri Rajendra Prasad as the First President of the Republic”.
Rajagopalachari led Dr Rajendra Prasad to the presidential chair and invited the Chief Justice of India to administer the investiture of the President of India. The band played the national anthem and the Governor General’s flag was lowered from the pole, and that of the President of India was hoisted.
Thereafter the president delivered his speech in Hindi and English.
