Republic @ 60
H'm, all hail to the Indian Republic at 60 - the Ship of State is still creaking along, it may have sprung a few leaks, has been tossed about by some half-a dozen storms of varying intensity, but we're still afloat, and that's something, I suppose.
The Founding Fathers [weren't there any founding Mothers?] .. anyway, the Founding Fathers, [mostly Oxbridge types] who cobbled our rather Utopian Constitution together, making it the bulkiest in the world, were rather optimistic individuals who looked at reality through rose tinted British-made glasses!
Equality before the law and the In-laws indeed! Need I say more?
What does 26 January mean to you?
For the Aussies, It's the day to reflect on what they have achieved and what they can be proud of.
Australia Day is a day driven by communities, and the hundreds of celebrations held in each town, suburb or city are the foundation of its ongoing success. And Australia Day is big. Over 780 local community celebrations take place on 26 January right across the nation.
The National Australia Day Council says that about 27 per cent of Australians attend an organised, community event on Australia Day, while a further 26 per cent get together with family and friends with the explicit intention of celebrating Australia Day.
The events and programmes that local government and community organisations coordinate for Australia Day generate immense community spirit. They are for everyone - family, fun and free.They are authentic and genuine, celebrating enduring Australian values.
The tradition of noticing 26 January began early in the nineteenth century with Sydney almanacs referring to First Landing Day or Foundation Day. That was the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and the first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove.
Yet the tradition of having Australia Day as a national holiday on 26 January is a recent one. Not until 1935 did all the Australian states and territories use that name to mark that date. In 1994 all the states began to celebrate Australia Day consistently as a public holiday.
The evolution of Australia Day has included a number of nationally significant events, including the strong emergence of the Indigenous rights movement on the sesquicentenary of 1938, and the huge bicentenary celebrations of 1988.
Who knows, sometime in the future, Oz will be celebrating the first Republic Day on the 26th of January!
Comments
In my opinion i feel that, yes it is true that India got independence and formed its contitution too; but i don't think that the rules of constitution are followed. until and unless the politics will be finished from our country, people are not independent.
26th january for me means the day of Indians. This day several politicians take several oaths but only for that particular moment and forget the other moment. and again the same thing happens; no change.
more than half people don't know what actually our fundamental rights and duties, how can we demand a great rule without knowing these things.
As far as the "REPUBLIC DAY" is concern, today it is just a holiday for common people. Besides, it is a day when most of the politicians shows that they still have the patriotic feelings and organize such programes where few girls dance to impose 'Patriotic feelings' in them. Last but not the least, the traditional flag hoisting ceremony is all about the Republic day, today.