26th of January is a day of celebration for both Australia and India. While India celebrates in Republic Day, Australia celebrates its Foundation Day.
On Jan 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of First Fleet of British Admiralty along with his officers rowed to Sidney Cove in eastern Australia and took possession of the land in the name of King George III. “Australia Day marks the beginning of the European settlement in Australia and the foundation of the modern Australian state,” said Lachlan Strahan, Deputy High Commissioner.
“Tomorrow, 430 Indians will become Australian citizens as part of Australia Day celebrations. In India, the Australia Day coincides with India’s Republic Day and we celebrate India’s Republic Day and don’t try to have competing events. High Commissioner and I will be going to witness the Republic Day Parade tomorrow to acknowledge India’s Republic Day,” he added.
Just like in India, Australia also celebrates 26 January as a special and proud occasion. They have a public holiday all over the nation on Jan 26 and a variety of functions, big parties and fireworks are held. Australia Day celebrates the establishment of a diverse multi-open Australian society.
In the 19th century, 26 January was being celebrated in few parts of Australia because Australia had not yet become a nation but once Australia became a nation in 1901, the day was adopted as the National Day. The nation then established an Australia Day Council in 1946 for raising awareness regarding the Day and since 1960 the Council has established Australian of the Year Award too.
The Prime Minister of Australia exclaimed, “It is a remarkable history and our times are drawing us closer. Our nations are guided by the same ideals: of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law and we celebrate these values.”
“When settlers first arrived in Australia in the 18th century, it was India that provided supplies to nourish and house them. This was the beginning of ‘India connect’ that saw us fight together ‘in trenches and faraway lands’ and it continues to grow to this day,” he added.
