For those like us of Indian origin living in Australia, missing Indian celebrations on designated days is a pet peeve. But when it comes to January 26, our frayed nerves get soothed as this is a special day for both countries. And a public holiday too. To put it loosely, this date marks the “national day” for both countries. Australia celebrates this day each year as Australia Day, on which it is widely believed the foundation of modern-day Australia was laid. India commemorates January 26 as Republic Day.
Other than these officious-sounding reasons, most Australians celebrate Australia Day by indulging in their favourite summer pastime, firing up a barbeque -- or “barbie” -- as it is known in the casual parlance that is the lingua franca of this country. The sweltering Aussie summer at this time of the year provides an easy excuse to the fun-loving people of this country to gather around a “barbie”.
For those in India, Republic Day means waking up early, seeking the warm company of steaming hot cups of tea, as it is winter in most of India in January, and watching the awe-inspiring parade telecast live on India’s state-run TV channel, Doordarshan, from New Delhi’s iconic India Gate. Pushing yourself out of the warm cocoon of your bed on an early winter morning seems like a herculean task but the pomp-filled spectacle of Republic Day Parade more than makes up for it.
Source: SBS
If you pan your eyes from the majestic sandstone ramparts of the Red Fort across to the glistening white marble domes of the Jama Masjid opposite it, at the confluence of which sit the sparkling golden spires of Gurdwara Sees Ganj, the blue above is dotted with kites big and small, crisscrossing the skies in the fervour of Republic Day.
New Delhi and its satellite cities of Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad have a local tradition of flying kites on Republic Day. One sees a heightened passion for kite-flying or “patangbaazi” as it is called in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu on the rustic, charming and historic canvas of Old Delhi’s skies. If you pan your eyes from the majestic sandstone ramparts of the Red Fort across to the glistening white marble domes of the Jama Masjid opposite it, at the confluence of which sit the sparkling golden spires of Gurdwara Sees Ganj, the blue above is dotted with kites big and small, crisscrossing the skies in the fervour of Republic Day. Most of these kites adorn the colours of India’s national flag, the Tricolours, or “Tiranga”, which are saffron, white and green. Cries of “aayi bo” fill the air with young and old kite-flying enthusiasts feeling victorious or vanquished.
Not far from Old Delhi is New Delhi, the site of the spectacular Republic Day parade. Held to commemorate this day of the year 1950, when India’s constitution came into force, this parade can easily be explained as an exhibition of India’s defence muscle. Fighter jets sweep the skies with the colours of the Tiranga in the most elegant formations. The parade is an extravagant and majestic show window of the military might of the three services presided over by their Commander-in-Chief, the President of India. It is followed by a magnificent display of tableaux from all the states of India. The national anthem, Jan Gan Man is sung and the flag is hoisted to conclude the glorious ceremony.
The Indian Army women's contingent take part in the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. Source: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images
History is replete with facts and figures about how the British First Fleet carrying convicts and naval officers led by Captain Arthur Phillip landed in modern-day Sydney only to wreak havoc on the original inhabitants of the land for decades thereon.
Here Down Under, Australia Day is also commemorated with unfurling the Australian National Flag and singing the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair. The premise behind marking this day is the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney, which was an armada of naval ships from Great Britain.
There are varying opinions and emotions about marking Australia Day on January 26 these days, with the chorus against it rising. History is replete with facts and figures about how the British First Fleet carrying convicts and naval officers led by Captain Arthur Phillip landed in modern-day Sydney only to wreak havoc on the original inhabitants of the land for decades thereon. Captain Phillip unfurled Great Britain’s national flag, the Union Jack there. It was renamed New South Wales for being south of Wales in Great Britain.
Australia Day Wugulora Morning Ceremony on the Walumil Lawns, Barangaroo. Smoking Ceremony with Koomurri. Sydney. Source: AAP
Australia’s subjugation and colonisation by the British began on this day, in sharp contrast to India whose freedom from the British not only got documented but also institutionalised in its constitution that came into effect on the same day. Some connections are beyond amazing.
