Today is Republic Day in India, celebrating 26 January, 1950, when the Indian Constitution came into effect.
India’s other major national event is Independence Day, a celebration of 15 August, 1947, when India became independent of the United Kingdom.
The two days that created the “world’s largest democracy” really came about because of hundreds of years of “freedom fighters”. I am going to list some names – and apologies for all the great names I have not been able to include.
Most of us would think of Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi 1869-1948) who became an inspiration to many around the world – including Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and The Dalai Lama.
But other greats include Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (India’s first Prime Minister), Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Picture above – Rajkumar Amrit Kaur
Indian women played a strong and vital role for freedom, including Sarojini Naidu, Rajkumar Amrit Kaur and Kasturba Gandhi.
Above – Kasturba Gandhi
Inspirational for many of these was the example of courage and self sacrifice shown by the young Bhagat Singh who lost his life in the cause.
Above – Indian Prime Minister Modi hosts USA President Obama in 2018 at Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi
India – you have earned the right to celebrate! Have a great day.
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Author: Stephen Manallack
Former President, Australia India Business Council, Victoria and Author, You Can Communicate; Riding the Elephant; Soft Skills for a Flat World (published by Tata McGraw-Hill INDIA); Communicating Your Personal Brand.
Director, EastWest Academy Pty Ltd and Trainer/Speaker/Mentor in Leadership, Communication and Cross Cultural Communication.
Passionate campaigner for closer western relations with India.
Stephen Manallack is a specialist on “Doing Business with India” and advisor/trainer on “Cross-Cultural Understanding”. He is a Director of EastWest Academy Pty Ltd which provides strategic advice and counsel regarding business relations with India.
A regular speaker in India on leadership and global communication, his most recent speaking tour included a speech to students of the elite Indian university, Amity University, in Noida. He also spoke at a major Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) global summit, the PR Consultants Association of India in Delhi, the Symbiosis University in Pune and Cross-Cultural Training for Sundaram Business Services in Chennai. He has visited India on business missions on 10 occasions and led three major trade missions there. He provides cross-cultural training – Asia and the west.
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