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Hello All,

I wish you and your family, friends, near and dear........

A very Happy and Honoring Republic Day wishes (26/01/09).

The Republic Day of India is a national holiday of India to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India and the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on January 26, 1950. It is one of the three national holidays (Republic Day/Jan 26, Independence Day/Aug 15 and Gandhi Jayanti/Oct 2) in India. Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, the Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950. During the transition period from 1947 to 1950, King George VI was the head of country. Dr. C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) served as the Governor-General of India during this period. Following January 26, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the president of India.

To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. The different regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force march past in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. Parades demonstrating the cultures of the various states and regions of India are also held and broadcast nationwide on television. The parade also includes vibrant displays and floats and traditionally ends with a fly-past by Indian Air Force jets in a Tri-color (Tiranga) formation.

Celebrations are also held in state capitals, where the governor of the state unfurls the national flag. If the Governor of the state is unwell, or is unavailable for some reason, the Chief Minister of the state assumes the honor of unfurling the National Flag of India. India hosts another Head of State (President or Prime Minister of another Country) as the chief guest on this day marking the strategic importance of the association of that nation with India.

Happy Republic Day
Happy Republic Day
Happy Republic Day



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It is also ‘Australia Day’ today (26/01). Australia Day, also known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day and Invasion Day, is the official national day of Australia and has been an official public holiday since 1994. Celebrated annually on 26th January, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, marking the start of British colonisation of Australia. Australia Day is an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, and is marked by the Order of Australia and Australian of the Year awards, along with an address from the Prime Minister. Records of the celebration of Australia Day date back to 1808, with Governor Lachlan Macquarie having held the first official celebration of Australia Day in 1818.

On 13th May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships, which came to be known as the First Fleet, was sent by the British Admiralty from England to Australia. Under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, the fleet sought to establish a penal colony at Botany Bay on the coast of New South Wales, which had been explored by Captain James Cook in 1770. The fleet was at anchor in Sydney Cove by 26th January 1788 and the flag was raised in the name of King George III. People observe Family meetings, parades, citizenship ceremonies as Australia Day celebrations and conduct functions across the country.

Many many happy returns of the day.

All the best and take care….

With thanks, regards and best wishes,
G.Srikanth.