INDIA IN LONDON CELEBRATES REPUBLIC DAY (1950)

GV gathering inside India House, Krishna Menon, Indian High Commissioner seen MS Menon walks up to Platform, unrolls Proclamation and begins to read: 'Proclamation. Whereas the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign, democratic republic adopted, enacted and gave themselves on the 26th day of November, 1949, .... now therefore it is hereby proclaimed that all acknowledge this 26th day of January 1950, Indian by this ballot, shall be a sovereign, democratic republic and the Union and its component units, the states shall exercise all power and function of government and administration in accordance with the provisions of the said Constitution. (Menon hands Proclamation to somebody off platform.) Menon Taking oath of allegiance.'On this day when India becomes a sovereign democratic republic, I send my warmest greetings to all my contrymen abroad. In the long and eventful annuals of our country this day will have a special place. The Pledge taken long ago is fulfilled and every Indian wherever he may be has a new status as a citizen of a republic. This brings new rights.. "To live as free men and women."