Friday, November 14, 2008

Chandrayaan touched the MOON


India marked its presence on moon on Friday night, to become only the fourth nation to scale this historic milestone after a moon Impact Probe, with the national tri-colour painted, successfully landed on the lunar surface after being detached from the unmanned spacecraft Chandrayaan-1.

Joining the US, the erstwhile Soviet Union and the European Union, the 35-kg Moon Impact Probe (MIP) hit the moon exactly at 8.31 PM, about 25 minutes after the probe descended from the satellite in what ISRO described as a "perfect operation".
Miniature Indian flags painted on four sides of the MIP signalled the country's symbolic entry into moon to coincide with the birth anniversary of the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, observed as Children's Day.

The spacecraft on Thursday(Nov 13th) reached its final orbital home, about 100 km over the moon surface after ISRO scientists successfully carried out the last critical orbit lowering operation

NOTE : The above picture is an imaginary view of my dream - To see my/our flag on MOON.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Happy Birthday To Jawaharlal Nehru(14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964)

He had been alive, Jawaharlal Nehru would have been 110 years and one month old at the turn of the century. It is 45 years since his moving away from the centrestage of Indian and world politics. With death and with the passage of time, great leaders undergo a process of demystification . Distances in terms of time and the elimination of the physical presence of these larger-than-life figures enable succeeding generations to a assess their lives more objectively, without being afflicted by their charisma and power, whatever the ingredients of that power might have been.

Serving as Congress President, Nehru raised the flag of independent India in New Delhi on 15 August 1947, and served as First Prime Minister. His daughter Indira and grandson Rajiv would both also serve as Prime Minister and President of the Indian National Congress, as would Rajiv's wife Sonia. His long tenure was instrumental in shaping the traditions and structures of independent India.

Numerous public institutions and memorials across India are dedicated to Nehru's memory. The Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi is among the most prestigious universities in India. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port near the city of Mumbai is a modern port and dock designed to handle a huge cargo and traffic load. Nehru's residence in Delhi is preserved as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. The Nehru family homes at Anand Bhavan and Swaraj Bhavan are also preserved to commemorate Nehru and his family's legacy. In 1951, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the American Friends Service Committee

Monday, November 10, 2008

Chandhrayaan-1 A grand success


It's a proud moment for the Indians and the scientific community after the Chandrayan 1 was successfully launched on October 22. India's first scientific mission to the moon that is unmanned, the Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft, took off from Sriharikota towards the moon.

ISRO technologists gathered at the Spacecraft Control Centre (SCC), the nerve-centre of Chandrayaan-1’s operations now, said “it was a feast to the eyes” to see Chandrayaan-1 go into a perfect lunar orbit of 7502 km by 504 km and that they could see on the plot-boards the deceleration of the spacecraft before it entered the lunar orbit.

India has one of the largest communication systems in the world with a satellite programme of 21 orbiters of which 11 are currently in service. Although Russia has helped in the space programmmes by providing manufacturing and design technology, the credit for the success of Chandrayaan-1 solely belongs to the scientists of India at the Indian Space Research Organization.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

What could be Obama's effect on India


The Indian software industry is looking forward to work with US president-elect Barack Obama and his administration to spur innovation, foster economic growth and develop skilled workforce to create jobs in both countries for mutual benefit.

Hailing Obama's historic victory in Tuesday's elections, the Indian software industry body NASSCOM said it was important for India and the US to find ways to partner and boost economies of the two nations in the wake of the global economic meltdown.

"Specifically, we support expanding the H1B visa programme so that skilled workers can help companies lead the way on innovation and contribute additional jobs and economic growth in the US," Nasscom said in a statement in Bangalore Wednesday(6th Nov 2008).

And apart from IT,

Obama has picked Indian-American Sonal Shah, an eminent economist who heads Google's philanthropic arm, as one of the advisers to help him assemble his White House team.

Shah, 40, is part of an advisory board comprising individuals with significant private and public sector experience who will offer their expertise in their respective fields to Obama's transition team, according to US media reports.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that India-born Preeta Bansal, a Harvard-educated lawyer who was part of Obama's team of advisers during his election campaign, may be a potential candidate for the office of the Solicitor General, a post yet to be filled by a woman in US

Languages in India


India is a vast country with 1,131,598,939 people on her ground.The languages of India primarily belong to two major linguistic families, Indo-European, whose branch Indo-Aryan is spoken by about 70% of the population of India and that includes the Dardic languages; secondly, the Dravidian family (spoken by about 22%). Other languages spoken in India come mainly from the Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman linguistic families; in addition there are a few language isolates.

The Constitution of India recognises 22 languages, spoken in different parts the country, namely:
  1. Assamese
  2. Bengali
  3. Bodo
  4. Dogri
  5. Gujarati
  6. Hindi
  7. Kannada
  8. Kashmiri
  9. Konkani
  10. Maithili
  11. Malayalam
  12. Manipuri
  13. Marathi
  14. Nepali
  15. Oriya
  16. Punjabi
  17. Sanskrit
  18. Santhali
  19. Sindhi
  20. Tamil
  21. Telugu
  22. Urdu

Source - Wikipedia

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Obama - 44th President of US

Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.

The 47-year-old Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

A huge crowd thronged Grant Park in Chicago to cheer Obama's improbable triumph and await his first public speech as president-elect.

Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009.

As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Bond will come early to India



James Bond is making an unprecedented side trip before his next adventure reaches the U.S.

Sony Pictures Releasing India said Tuesday that "Quantum of Solace" will open in India on Nov. 7, marking the first time a major Hollywood title has opened here before its U.S. premiere. The film will debut in U.K. theaters on Oct. 31 and be released in North America on Nov. 14.

"James Bond has a huge equity in this country, and Bond films have always been a hit here," said Mumbai-based Kercy Daruwalla, managing director of Sony Pictures Releasing India'

By all accounts, it should end up as the biggest Hollywood release in India for 2008. Directed by Marc Forster, Solace picks up where things left off in the critically acclaimed Casino Royale, the smash hit that reinvigorated the Bond series after a late 1990s and early 2000s slump.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

India Launches First Moon Mission, Chandrayaan Successfully Launched in Orbit


India on Wednesday(Oct 22nd 2008) rocketed into the big league of exclusive lunar club with a precision launch of its moon mission, Chandrayaan-1.India made history in space science today by joining the elite club of countries that have sent space missions to moon.

The other members of this global elite are the US, Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan and China. India is the sixth member of this club.

This is the first international mission to the moon led by India, which is carrying six scientific payloads from abroad and five from India. Of the six international instruments, three are from the European Space Agency, two from Nasa and one from Bulgaria.

The moon mission marks a new chapter in the history of Indian space programme that takes a giant leap — from 36,000 km of orbit around earth to 3,84,000 km away to orbit the moon. It also initiates a fresh era of more ambitious interplanetary missions in the future by India to Mars and other planets.

The initial success of the lunar programme is fulfilment of five years of technological striving by Indian space scientists. For the world, it was a clear demonstration of what India can achieve. As former ISRO chief Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan said, the moon mission will help realise India's aim to become a technological powerhouse.


Watch video of Chandrayaan launch here.

Friday, October 3, 2008

India to Reach for the Moon this Month


If everything goes as planned, any of the days starting October 19th to 28th would be remembered as a red-letter day for us Indians.It was after five years the Indian government cleared the project. It will make an entry into the lunar atmosphere for a two-year mission. Our very first, homespun lunar probe, Chandrayaan is all set to make its first voyage to our nearest celestial body -- the Moon on these tentative dates -- depending on the weather conditions then. If the weather plays spoil sport, the mission will need to be postponed to December. In any case, a successful mission will no doubt put India in the elite club of counties who have been able to send missions to moon.

Chandrayaan will carry as many as 11 payloads -- five from India, three from the European Space Agency (ESA), one from the Bulgarian Space Agency (BSA) and two from NASA, making it a truly global initiative. The two-year mission will be invaluable as the Chandrayaan is programmed to orbit the Lunar surface and digitally map it. It will also send information on the traces of the composition of the lunar surface apart from looking for atomic minerals such as thorium and uranium. The probe is also equipped with high-resolution cameras which could help shed some light on the existence of water on the moon.

A modified (rather upgraded) PSLV launch vehicle will be used to transport the probe to the lunar orbit. Due to the modifications, the PSLV C-11 will have a lift-off weight of 316 tonnes, which is much higher than the "standard" 294-ton version. Additionally, the payload capacity too has been increased from 1600 kg to 1800 kg. The PSLV has been the most successful launch vehicle for ISRO till date. It also holds the record for sending as many as 10 satellites simultaneously during its last mission. This time round, it is all set to break its own record by carrying 11 different payload

Friday, September 19, 2008

UNESCO announces INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM as the BEST National Anthem in the World



UNESCO announces INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM as the BEST National Anthem in the World

Proud to be an Indian

Friday, July 11, 2008

Great Talent

Never underestimate an Indian. We are born talented...Just look at the level of confidence and the knowledge this boy has.
Mind Blowing !


Saturday, May 17, 2008

Indian Struggle for freedom

Indian Independent Movement

At the time of Independence - Rare Video

Rare india fotos

Ooty 1905

Ooty 1905
Power Plant 1917

Power Plant 1917
Train+at+1895

Train at 1895
VT Station Mumbai 1894

VT Station Mumbai in 1894
Karachi Theatre in 1917

Karachi Theatre in 1917
Lahore in 1864

Lahore in 1864
Multi complex Departmental Store 1883

Multi complex Departmental Store 1883
Mumbai in 1894

Mumbai 1894
Mylapore chennai 1939

Mylapore chennai 1939
Andaman+1917

Andaman 1917
Chennai Market (Kothaval Chawadi) 1939

Chennai Market 1939
Ford+1917

Ford 1917
Hoogly Calcutta 1915

Hoogly Calcutta 1915
Karachi in 1917

Karachi in 1917
Ambulance at Chennai 1940

Ambulance at Chennai 1940
Bank of Madras 1935

Bank+of Madras 1935
Car Showroom Chennai 1913

Car Showroom Chennai 1913
Chennai Library 1913 (college studensama)

Chennai Library 1913 college studensama
Chennai Marina Beech 1913

Chennai+Marina+beech++1913

Friday, May 9, 2008

Gandhi's "Seven Blunders of the World"

Gandhi's "Seven Blunders of the World" That Lead to Violence

The Seven Blunders of the World is a list that Mahatma Gandhi gave to his grandson Arun Gandhi, written on a piece of paper, on their final day together, not too long before his assassination. In his final years, the elder Gandhi kept his grandson close at hand and set aside an hour every day to be alone with the boy.


Blunders of the World
________________________________________
Wealth without work

Pleasure without conscience

Knowledge without character

Commerce without morality

Science without humanity

Worship without sacrifice

Politics without principle
________________________________________
Rights without responsibilities [Arun Gandhi]


This list grew from Gandhi's search for the roots of violence. He called these acts of passive violence. Preventing these is the best way to prevent oneself or one's society from reaching a point of violence.

QUOTES ON INDIA

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made!"

Albert Einstein

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"If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India!"

French scholar Romaine Rolland
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"India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most astrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!"


"So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked."

Mark Twain

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"India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border!"

Hu Shih, former Ambassador of China to USA

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"Civilizations have arisen in other parts of the world. In ancient and modern times, wonderful ideas have been carried forward from one race to another...But mark you, my friends, it has been always with the blast of war trumpets and the march of embattled cohorts. Each idea had to be soaked in a deluge of blood..... Each word of power had to be followed by the groans of millions, by the wails of orphans, by the tears of widows. This, many other nations have taught; but India for thousands of years peacefully existed. Here activity prevailed when even Greece did not exist... Even earlier, when history has no record, and tradition dares not peer into the gloom of that intense past, even from until now, ideas after ideas have marched out from her, but every word has been spoken with a blessing behind it and peace before it. We, of all nations of the world, have never been a conquering race, and that blessing is on our head, and therefore we live....!"

Swami Vivekananda, Great Indian Philosopher

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"If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India"

Max Mueller
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"India was the mother of our race and Sanskrit the mother of Europe's languages. She was the mother of our philosophy, mother through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics, mother through Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity, mother through village communities of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all."

Will Durant
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"In India, I found a race of mortals living upon the Earth, but not adhering to it, inhabiting cities, but not being fixed to them, possessing everything, but possessed by nothing"

Apollonius Tyanaeus

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

THE HISTORY OF THE INDIAN FLAG.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Jana gana mana - - Our National Anthem

Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem of India. Written in Bengali, it is the first of five stanzas of an ode composed and scored by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This was first sung on 27 December 1911, at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress, Jana Gana Mana was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem in January 24, 1950. A formal rendition of the national anthem takes fifty two seconds. A shortened version consisting of the first and last lines (and taking about 20 seconds to play) is also staged occasionally. The music for the current version is derived from a composition for the song by Ram Singh Thakur.


Hindi Lyrics

Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka, Jaya He
Bharata Bhagya Vidhata
Punjab Sindhu Gujarata Maratha
Dravida Utkala Banga (places in India)
Vindhya Himachala Yamuna Ganga
Uchchhala Jaladhi Taranga
Tava Shubha Name Jage
Tava Shubha Ashisha Mage
Gahe Tava Jaya Gaatha
Jana Gana Mangaladayaka Jaya He
Bharata Bhaagya Vidhata
Jaya He ! Jaya He ! Jaya He !
Jaya, Jaya, Jaya, Jaya He


English translation

You rule the minds of all people
and control India's future.
Your name brings joy to Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha;
and Dravida and Orissa and Bengal. (regions in India)
It echoes in the Vindhya and Himalayan hills,
and mixes with the music of the Yamuna and Ganga rivers.
It is also sung by waves of the sea.
We pray for your blessings
and sing your praise.
We look forward to your best wishes.
And we wish Victory, victory, victory for you.

JAI HINDH

Vande Mataram

The Vande Mataram is the national song of India. It is not to be confused with the national anthem of India. The lyrics were written by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, in a mix of Sanskrit and Bengali. The song was written in 1876 , but published in 1882. The title means "Long live the Mother[land]". The first version of the Flag of India had "वन्दे मातरम्" (Vande Mataram) written on it.


Sanskrit

[change] Full version

सुजलां सुफलां मलयजशीतलाम्
सस्य श्यामलां मातरंम् .
शुभ्र ज्योत्सनाम् पुलकित यामिनीम्
फुल्ल कुसुमित द्रुमदलशोभिनीम्,
सुहासिनीं सुमधुर भाषिणीम् .
सुखदां वरदां मातरम् ॥

सप्त कोटि कण्ठ कलकल निनाद कराले
द्विसप्त कोटि भुजैर्ध्रत खरकरवाले
के बोले मा तुमी अबले
बहुबल धारिणीम् नमामि तारिणीम्
रिपुदलवारिणीम् मातरम् ॥

तुमि विद्या तुमि धर्म, तुमि ह्रदि तुमि मर्म
त्वं हि प्राणाः शरीरे
बाहुते तुमि मा शक्ति,
हृदये तुमि मा भक्ति,
तोमारै प्रतिमा गडि मन्दिरे-मन्दिरे ॥

त्वं हि दुर्गा दशप्रहरणधारिणी
कमला कमलदल विहारिणी
वाणी विद्यादायिनी, नमामि त्वाम्
नमामि कमलां अमलां अतुलाम्
सुजलां सुफलां मातरम् ॥

श्यामलां सरलां सुस्मितां भूषिताम्
धरणीं भरणीं मातरम् ॥


[change] Translation

Mother, I salute thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Green fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I bow.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands
When swords flash out in seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord!
Thou who saves, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foe drove
Back from plain and sea
And shook herself free.

Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Though art love divine, the awe
In our hearts that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nerves the arm,
Thine the beauty, thine the charm.
Every image made divine
In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleems,
Dark of hue O candid-fair

In thy soul, with jewelled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!

Vandemataram in English

vande maataram..
vande maataram..
maataram..

sujalaam sufalaam malayaj sheetalaam
sasyashyaamalaam maataram
vande..

shubhrajyotsna pulakit yaaminiim
phulla kusumita drumadal shobhiniim
suhaasinim sumadhura bhaashhinim
sukhadaam varadaam
maataram.. vande maataram

sapta koti kantha kalakala ninaada karaale
nisapta koti bhujaidhruta kharakarvaale
sapta koti kantha kalakala ninaada karaale
nisapta koti bhujaidhruta kharakarvaale
ka bola ka noma eith bole
bahubal dhaariniin namaami taariniim
ripudalavaariniin maataram
vande maataram ...

tumi vidyaa tumi dharma, tumi hridi tumi marma
tvan hi praanaah shariire
baahute tumi maa shakti,
hridaye tumi maa bhakti,
tomaarai pratimaa gadi mandire mandire
vande maataram..

tvan hi durgaa dashapraharanadhaarinii
kamalaa kamaladala vihaarinii
vaanii vidyaadaayinii, namaami tvaam
namaami kamalaan amalaan atulaam
sujalaan sufalaan maataram
vande maataram..

shyaamalaan saralaan susmitaan bhuushhitaam
dharaniin bharaniin maataram
vande maataram....


Saare Jahan Se Achcha

Saare Jahan Se Achchha (Urdu: سارے جہاں سے اچھا) is one of the enduring patriotic poems of the Urdu language. Written originally for children in the ghazal style of Urdu poetry by poet Muhammad Iqbal, the poem was published in the weekly journal Ittehad on 16 August 1904. Recited by Iqbal the following year at Government College, Lahore, now in Pakistan, it quickly became an anthem of opposition to the British rule in India. The song, an ode to Hindustan—the land comprising present-day Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan—both celebrated and cherished the land even as it lamented its age-old anguish. Also known as Tarana-e-Hindi (Urdu: ترانۂ ہندی "Anthem of the People of Hindustan"), it was later published in 1924 in the Urdu book Bang-i-Dara.


Sāre jahāñ se achchā hindostāñ hamārā

ham bulbuleñ haiñ us kī vuh gulsitāñ hamārā

ġhurbat meñ hoñ agar ham, rahtā hai dil vat̤an meñ
samjho vuhīñ hameñ bhī dil ho jahāñ hamārā

parbat vuh sab se ūñchā, hamsāyah āsmāñ kā
vuh santarī hamārā, vuh pāsbāñ hamārā

godī meñ kheltī haiñ us kī hazāroñ nadiyāñ
gulshan hai jin ke dam se rashk-e janāñ hamārā

ay āb-rūd-e gangā! vuh din haiñ yād tujh ko?
utarā tire kināre jab kāravāñ hamārā

mażhab nahīñ sikhātā āpas meñ bair rakhnā
hindī haiñ ham, vat̤an hai hindostāñ hamārā

yūnān-o-miṣr-o-rumā sab miṭ gaʾe jahāñ se
ab tak magar hai bāqī nām-o-nishāñ hamārā

kuchh bāt hai kih hastī miṭtī nahīñ hamārī
sadiyoñ rahā hai dushman daur-e zamāñ hamārā

iqbāl! koʾī maḥram apnā nahīñ jahāñ meñ
maʿlūm kyā kisī ko dard-e nihāñ hamārā!

58th Indian Republic Day....

The most significant day in the history of India is January 26, 1950, because it was on this day a country named was established with all the constitutional powers. It was on this day we, through the constitution proclaimed that "We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic and to secure to all its citizens justice; social, economic and political liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.". Thus the day January 26 is celebrated every year as the Republic Day of India.

On Republic Day regional identity gives way to national identity. Neither caste, creed nor religion matter. What is predominant is the Indian-ness of the people. Republic Day reminds us of the fulfillment of the pledge that was made on the midnight of Independence as a "tryst with destiny". Republic day for every Indian is a vision of India that we nourish, an acceptance of responsibility and making of promises as well as recapitulation of the achievements.

The origin and history of the Republic day begins from the very day of Indian Independence. After the independence, to organise Indian under one flag, under the supervision of The Indian Constituent Assembly, The Indian Constitution was finalised with 395 Articles and eight Schedules, and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. The Indian Republic officially came into being on January 26, 1950. January 26 was not some random date picked out of the calendar. It was on this date in 1927, that the Indian National Congress, then fighting its non-violent war for freedom, voted for complete independence as against 'dominion status'. It was the date when members of the INC took the pledge to work towards a 'sovereign democratic republic' of India. India had become a geographical entity on August 15, 1947, but it was on January 26, 1950 that it became a nation in the true sense, with a constitution and elected representatives of the people.

It was on Republic Day Indian finally enjoyed the freedom of spirit, rule of law and fundamental principle of governance. The patriotic fervor of the Indian people on this day brings the whole country together even in her embedded diversity.

Republic Day is the most important day in the history of India and today, the most solemnly celebrated occasion too. The Day is celebrated all over the country at all the administrative units like the capital cities, district headquarters, sub divisions, talukas, and panchayats. Republic Day parades are the major ceremony on the day.

In 2008 we celebrate the 58th Republic Day of India. But I painfully ask you, when swinging the 'Tricolour' and singing 'Vandemataram', how many of us are genuinely kindled with the true national spirit? How many of us are aware of the pathetic realities that engulf our mother nation? Endeavoring to be a part of the global business boom, we have already crushed our cultural values beneath our foot. Recently we have witnessed political leaders making proud proclamation of murders they have committed and seeking vote on it's basis. Indian women are mother-like only in the poems and on the streets they are just commodities of entertainment and helpless prays of lust and abuse.

Better late than never. Let us put down the flags for a while; let us stop shouting meaningless slogans for a moment. With a determined mind to change the face of India and the destiny of Indians, let us join our hands and sing our National Anthem with true pride of an Indian. Let our voice break through the sky to bring down the rays of a new dawn of peace, fraternity and prosperity.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Republic Day.....

26th January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In this day India became a totally republican unit. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of their country. So, the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since.

Today, the Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.

To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The crème of N.C.C cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.

The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country.

The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India.