26th January is a special day for both Australia as well as India.
While India celebrates its republic day, Australia celebrates its foundation day too.
The Indian Republic Day celebrates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force on 26th January 1950.
Coincidentally, it was on January 26th, 1788, that the Commander of the First Fleet of the British Admiralty Captain Arthur Phillip and his officers sailed to Sidney Cove in eastern Australia and took possession of the land in the name of King George III.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that on 26th January to be a national day for India and Australia as a ‘wonderful co-incidence in history’ in his Republic Day message to the Indian community living in Australia.
“Our cultures might be different, but we believe in similar things. We believe in the supremacy of the ballot-box in our national life; in the rule of law; in institutions that safeguard rights; and the responsibility of free people to build a better world,” said Morrison.
“With these thoughts in mind and in a warm spirit of friendship, I send my best wishes to all those who celebrate the Republic Day of India. May the festivities reinforce the affection and esteem that Indians and Australians have long held together,” he added.
Lachlan Strahan, the Deputy High Commissioner, stated “Tomorrow, 430 Indians will become Australian citizens as part of the Australian Day celebrations. In India, the Day of Australia coincides with India’s Republic Day, and we celebrate the Republic day of India although we do not try to have any competition events. High Commissioner and I will witness the Republic Day Parade tomorrow to understand the Day of the Republic of India,” in an interview with the Hindustan Times.
As in India, Australia is also celebrating 26th January as a special and proud occasion. They have a public holiday all over the nation on January 26 and a variety of functions, parties, and fireworks are held on this day celebrating the establishment of a diverse, multicultural open Australian society.
In the 19th century, 26th January was celebrated only in a few parts of Australia because Australia had not yet become a nation, but when Australia became a nation in 1901, the day was embraced as the National Day.
The nation then established the Australian Day Council in 1946 to raise awareness about the Day and since 1960 the Council has also established the Australian Year Award, the Australian Young Year Award, the Australian Senior Year Award, and the Australian Local Hero Award.
The Australian of the Year Award went to Professor Patrick McGory, a leading psychiatrist, this year.
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