Wish you all & my Country "Happy Republic Day"

Though India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, it did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935, and the country was a Dominion, with George VI as head of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General. On August 29, 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr. Ambedkar as the Chairman. A Draft Constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on November 4, 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on January 24, 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands. The Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950. Following January 26, 1950, Rajendra Prasad was elected as the president of India. This was, in fact, a deliberate act, signing the constitution on 26th January, to mark and respect the freedom fighters who wanted 26 January as India's initial independence day.

A scene from of the first Republic Day Parade, 1950

Gandhiji at the Hill Cart Road

Gandhiji at the Hill Cart Road near Kak Jhora with Anne Beasant and Deshbandhu Chitranjan Das in 1925. One can see the Toy Train track running alongside the road as well as a hand-driven rickshaw behind. (c) Fallen Cicada - Unwritten History of Darjeeling Hills by Barun Roy

Basics of Siliguri

Siliguri is described as the gateway to the North East of India, Bhutan, Nepal & Bangladesh. The strategic location of the city makes it a base for essential supplies to the region. Siliguri has gradually developed as a profitable centre for a variety of businesses. As a central hub, many national companies and organizations have set up their offices here. The Hong Kong market near Khudirampally is a chief hub for buying low cost Chinese goods and imported goods. Nearby Seth Srilal Market, Sevoke Road and Hill Cart Road is a prominent place to buy daily use goods, and is very popular among people from neighbouring cities. 4 "T" s - Tea, Timber, Tourism and Transport are the main businesses of Siliguri. Being a tourist destination, Siliguri has a good number of hotels and hotel industry is always on rise here. Siliguri is the headquarters of FOCIN (Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of North Bengal). Opening of shopping and entertainment malls like COSMOS, ORBIT & City Centre has affected a change in lifestyle. The city recently also witnessed the arrival of its first set  of multiplexes - CINEMAX,INOX at ORBIT and Big Cinemas.