President’s Message
HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY
In less than a hundred years, India managed to gain independence from a monarchy, make a mark on the global horizon and evolve in all aspects of community life.
But none of this would be possible if not for the historic sacrifices and vision of our hot-blooded Freedom Fighters.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak famously proclaimed “Swaraj is my birth-right, and I shall have it.”
On 26th January 1950, his famous declaration was realized as India turned into a newly formed Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic when the Constitution of India came into effect.
January 26 was chosen as the date for Republic Day, because it was on this day in 1929 that the Declaration of Indian Independence – Purna Swaraj – was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress (as opposed to the Dominion status offered by the British Regime). The fighting spirit had been born and it would see us through the decades ahead… until independence was achieved.
For all our perceived flaw and hurdles, India is still a young nation, having embraced our Republic only 72 years ago. With our nation having been divided and economy in tatters, it is our continuing fighting spirit and fierce love for our country that will help us continue to heal and grow and to be a force to be reckoned with globally.
Happy Republic Day to us all!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Framroze Mehta
President