January26

Amar Jawan, a national memorial, established at India Gate, New Dehli.

A Post Office was established at Dakshin Gangotri under the Goa Postal Division. (11-7-89).

Three powerful bombs rip through a celebration at a sports stadium in Kashmir as the State Governor addresses the crowd;7 people killed and 47 injured.

Srijiva Nyayatirtha Bhattacharya, famous writer and educationist, was born Bhatpara, West Bengal.

Rani Gaidinliu, freedom fighter, social reformer and political leader, was born at Nungkao village, Manipur State.

Mohammad Cazzambhoy Ibrahim Khan, cricketer (batted in 4 Tests India vs West Indies 1948-49), was born in Bombay.

V. G. Kanitkar, famous Marathi literatteur, was born.

Laxman Madhav Katre, former Indian Air Chief Marshall, was born.

Ashok Omprakash Malhotra, cricketer (Indian batsman in 7 Tests 1982-84), was born in Amritsar.

Shivlal Nandlal Yadav, cricketer (Indian off-spinner 102 Test wickets 1979-87), was born in Hyderabad.

Gandhiji was unconditionally released from prison.

Mahatma Gandhi started the Dandi march to protest against the Salt Act of the British and the same day Indians swore to get 'Total' Swaraj and organised the day as Swaraj Day.

Meera Behn (Medlin Slade) freedom fighter, and Gandhin by thought awarded 'Padma Vibhushan'.

Mr. K. Vadivel Raj gets the 1999 Kabir Puraskar for rescuing 11 persons of another community during caste violence in September 1998 in a village in Tamil Nadu.

India became a Republic within the British Commonwealth and the Indian Air Force dropped its "Royal" prefix. At this time, it possessed six fighter squadrons of Spitfires, Vampires and Tempests, operating from Kanpur, Poona, Ambala and Palam, one B-24 bomber squadron, one C-47 Dakota transport squadron, one AOP flight, a communications squadron at Palam and a growing training organisation.

Government of India accepted the National Emblem. It consisted of Head of Lion which is taken from Ashok piller situated near Sarnath.

Special stamps dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi in the Champion of Liberty series issued by the United States postal department.

Hindi Language is accepted as National language of India.

47th Republic Day celebrated;Chief Guest was Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of Brazil.

Delhi becomes the first state in India to enforce a ban on smoking in all public places.

Government prohibits manual scavenging and construction of dry latrines in six states (AP, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tripura, West Bengal) and all UTs.

Mizoram becomes a dry state, the fourth, after Gujarat, AP and Haryana.

The new Indian awards known as Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, were finally selected in June 1948 and annouced on the first Republic Day. Param Vir Chakra to the Victoria Cross, the Maha Vir Chakra to the Indian Order of Merit and the Vir Chakra is equivalent to the Military Cross. The Ashoka Chakra series, meant for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy, was probably meant to replace the George Cross, Albert Medal and George Medal.

More medals for armed forces were instituted including the Vishisht Seva Medal (in the classes), Sainya Seva Medal, Videsh Seva Medal and Sena, Nao Sena and Vayu Sena Medals.

Railway route started between Mumbai and Calcutta.

Vayudoot air service started with a flight of a F27, from Guwahati airport. This is the third Indian airline inaugurated.

Sandeep Patil scores memorable 174 vs Australia at Adelaide Oval.

Bharat Bhushan, the legendary romantic film hero of the 1950's, passed away at the age of 71 years.

Telephone line started working between Mumbai and Calcutta.

21 dalits are gunned down by the Ranbit Sena in Jahanabad district in Bihar.

Indian National Congress proclaims goal for India's independence.

India is proclaimed a Sovereign Democratic Republic ceasing to be a British dominion and adopted Indian Constitution which came into force.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963) became the first President of India. He remained President from Jan. 26,1950 to May 13, 1962.

India annexes Kashmir, Constitution for incorporation with India goes into effect.

BJP President Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi hoists the national flag at the heavily-guarded Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

Dr. Nelson Mandela attends India's 46th Republic Day celebration as national guest.

Sub Lt. Rubi Singh of the Navy becomes the first woman in India to lead an armed force contingent in the Republic Day parade at New Delhi; British PM John Major attends as the first ever British head of Government as Chief Guest.