As India celebrated its 65th anniversary of the formation of the nation's constitution, other countries like the UK and the US congratulated it on being the largest and oldest democracy in the world.
Republic Day honours the date, 26 January 1950, in which the Constitution of India came into being, thereby replacing the Government of India Act as the governing document of the country. Although the constitution was passed by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949, it was adopted only two months later.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, hailed the long-lasting relationship between UK and India while wishing Indians a Happy Republic Day. He said in a special message, "I send my warmest wishes to everyone in India, the UK and around the world celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Republic Day," reports The Hindu.
"As millions of people mark this important milestone we can reflect on the enduring and special relationship between our two nations - the world's oldest democracy and its largest," he said from 10 Downing Street.
He went on to remind everyone that the countries had come a long way since the British East India Company left the Indian soil after years of a freedon struggle. "This relationship has gone through great changes. Our collaboration is now stronger, deeper and more far-reaching. It is a partnership between two equals with a mutual respect for each other."
Cameron's deputy from the Liberal Democrat party, Nick Clegg in his message, said: "(This Republic Day) is a very significant milestone in your history and an opportunity to celebrate your incredible achievements." Economic Times reports that he went on to add, "On my recent visit to India I was reminded of the continuing strength and unique warmth of the very special relationship between our two countries... So let us celebrate this important day together, as two like-minded democratic nations whose bond of friendship grows stronger every year".
Meanwhile, the US National Security Council on Sunday tweeted "Jai Hind" to honour India's 66th Republic Day: "President Obama is honored to be back in #India to celebrate Republic Day and to begin a new chapter in the US - India partnership. Jai Hind!"
US National Security Advisor Susan Rice, who accompanied the Obamas on their trip to India also tweeted, 'Excited to be with President Obama in #India to celebrate Republic Day – Jai Hind!"
Here are some of the greatest quotes from some of the greatest men who adored 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 Eistein.
- "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." German scholar Max Mueller.
- "India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most astrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!" Mark Twain, the author of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'.
- "In the great books of India, an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence, which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the questions that exercise us." Renowned American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson.
- "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 the US.
