Indian Rubik's cube expert sets one-handed world record

Indian man Bhargav Narasimhan has taken almost 30 seconds off the world record for solving five Rubik's cubes one-handed, clocking in at 1 minute, 23.934 seconds.

66th Republic Day of India (26 January)

26 January

The Republic Day is celebrated in India on 26 January every year. The day marks the sovereignty of the country, as on this day in 1950 the Constitution of India was adopted. The signature celebration of the event is the Republic Day Parade, which is held in the capital city, New Delhi.

Highlights of 2015

This year, the US President Barack Obama will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. It will be Obama's second visit to India, making him the first US President to visit the country twice during his presidential tenure. It will also be the first time when India will receive an American President as a chief guest on 26 January. Obama's wife, Michelle Obama and some other senior officials from the US will also accompany him during this visit.

It is expected that 1.25 lakh people, i.e., about 25,000 more than the usual will witness the grand Republic Day parade this year. Also, it is likely that the number of tableaux which participate in the parade may increase to 25 from 20. The duration of the parade may also extend to the usual two hours.

Significance of Republic Day

The Republic Day is celebrated as the day when India became a democratic republic. It was on 26 January 1950 that the Constitution of India was brought into force as the governing document of India that replaced the Government of India Act 1935.

The day also has significance as the declaration of Indian independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress on 26 January 1930.

Republic Day Date and Timing

The Republic Day 2015 will be celebrated on 26 January. This day will be observed as a national holiday. All the public offices and schools will remain closed to celebrate the spirit of patriotism on this day.

Republic Day Celebrations

The entire nation comes alive with patriotic fervour on this day, but the principal celebration of the Republic Day takes place in the national capital, New Delhi from 9 a.m. and continues for about three hours. This historic occasion becomes a national festival with the involvement of people from all over the country. The day symbolises the unity of the nation as it brings together people from different castes, creed, religions and regions to celebrate the day with the pride of being an Indian. 

The celebration takes place at the Rajpath with great enthusiasm and pride, which can be experienced by any individual as the Republic Day Parade is a ticketed event. The tickets for the same can be bought a couple of weeks before the event.

Repulic Day celebrations across the country

Apart from the grand celebrations in the capital, the Republic Day is also celebrated in different parts of the country at different levels, such as in cities, district headquarters, panchayats, schools and offices.

• In Mumbai, people attend Republic Day Parade at Shivaji Park or Marine Drive.
• In Bangalore, people celebrate Republic Day at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, which holds a parade and cultural fair.
• In Kolkata, people enjoy the Republic Day parade held along the Red Road.
• In Chennai, Republic Day celebrations take place at Marina Beach and Kamaraj Salai.

Beating Retreat

The Republic Day celebration ends officially with the Beating Retreat ceremony, which is held on the 29 January every year. The Indian Air Force, the India Navy, and the Indian Army at the Raisina Hill, New Delhi become a part of this ceremony in front of the President of India.

Republic Day Parade

The grandeur of the Republic Day of India is visible in the grand parade that is held along Rajpath, beginning from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan and ending at India Gate.

The occasion witnesses the presence of the President, the Prime Minister and several other high-ranking officials of the country. The parade starts when the Prime Minister of India offers wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate, in memory of the martyrs of the Indian army.

The national flag is unfurled by the President of India, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. This is succeeded by the cheerful tune of the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute.

The different regiments of Navy, Army and Air Force display their might along the Rajpath, saluting the President. The Armed Forces staff perform motorcycle rides whereas the staff of the Indian Air Force perform flying parade in fighter planes. 

The rich and colourful culture of India is showcased in the parade of the Republic Day. Traditional as well as cultural performances are given by professionals belonging to different regions. School children in picturesque costumes also participate in the display of different aspects of the glorious history of the country on this big day.

The real heroes of the nation are honoured with the bravery awards and medals. National Awards are given to children for selfless sacrifice and bravery. 

A row of IAF jets marks the end of the grand celebration, leaving behind a trail of coloured smoke. It bids goodbye to the gathered audience by lavishing rose petals on them.

15 iconic DDLJ dialogues that we know by heart

As the film completes 1000 weeks in the theater on 12th December, we take you down the memory lane and list 15 iconic dialogues from the film.

Yahaan mujhe koi nahi jaanta, siwaye inn kabootaron ke. Kyuniki yeh bhi meri hi tarah hai. Inka bhi koi desh nahi, jahan dana dekha utar gaye aur pet bhar kar udh gaye

Fail hona aur padhai na karna, ye humare parivaar ki parampara hai

Akhir ek Hindustani hi Hindustani ke kaam aata hai

It's okay senorita, bade bade desho mein aisi chhoti chhoti batien hoti rehti hai

Main ek baar phir train chhodna nahi chahti.

Par main chahta hoon ki yeh train bar bar chhoote

Raj agar yeh tujhe pyaar karti hai, to yeh palat ke dekhegi. Palat... Palat...

Tum mujhse pyaar karti ho?

Sabse zyada

Mujhpe bharosa hai?

Khudse bhi zyada

Koi bhi ullu ka pattha sirf ek angoothi pehanakar tumko mujhse nahi chheen sakta

Aap bhi kamaal karti hai maaji, ek pal mein beta keh diya aur dusre pal mein paraya kar diya

Meri ma kaha karti thi, jo shaadi wale ghar mein seva karta hai, usko bahut sundar dulhan milti hai

Desh ke bahar niklo toh sab kuch mil sakta hai, lekin bhabi ke haath ki matthi nahi mil sakti

Main galat thi Simran. Meri beti apni khushiyon ki bali nahi chadayegi, woh apni pyaar ki kurbani nahi degi.

Aap logon ki rone ki bimari khandaani hai kya?

Toh kya hua agar maine jhoot sirf tumhe paane ke liye kaha tha? Toh kya hua agar tumhare chehre ke sivah mujhe koi aur chehra dikhai nahi deta? Toh kya hua agar tumhare naam ke sivah mujhe koi aur naam yaad nahi rehta? Toh kya hua agar yeh awara tumhe deewano ki tarah pyar karta hai? Toh kya hua? Pyaar sab kuch toh nahi hota na

Ja Simran ja, jee le apni zindagi

Ranikhet --> Queen's meadow

There is every possibility that you may run out of adjectives when attempting to describe the scenic beauty of the pristine hill station of Ranikhet in the state of Uttarakhand. The reasons for its popularity among tourists are obvious. 

The hill station, covered with lush forests of thick pine and deodar trees and dainty streams of water with impeccable views of Nanda Devi, is the archetypal dream destination for an idyllic holiday. Tourists visiting Ranikhet are delighted to discover that apart from the scenic grandeur, this famous hill station has plenty of other attractions too including an amazing abundance of bird species flourishing in the area.

Sights to See

• Chaubatia

Commanding a picturesque view of the Himalayas, it is popularly known as orchard country for its fruits and government gardens.

• Jhoola Devi Ram Mandir

7 km from Ranikhet on the Ram Mandir route to Chaubatia, the place is known for temples devoted to the Goddess Durga and Lord Rama.

• Mankameshwar

One of the famous attartions of Ranikhet, this temple is attached to the Narsingh Maidan. This ancient temple has been built by the Kumaon regiment. Opposite the shrine are a Gurudwara and a Shawal factory.

• Bhaludam

3 km away from Chaubatia garden, the place offers a mesmerizing beauty in the form of a small artificial lake and is a popular picnic spot.

• Tarikhet

The place is well known for its Gandhi Ashram to commemorate the spot where Gandhiji stayed. The Golla temple here is venerated by the people.

• Kalika

1 km from the Golf Maidan, the place is known for its forest nursery and a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali.

• Sitlakhet

Sitlakhet is a scenic spot commanding a view of majestic Himalayas. The nearby forest abounds in fruit orchards and herbal plants used in medicines. Just about 10 km from Sitlakhet is the famous temple of Syahi Devi. Nearby is the natural spring where the first water scheme for Almora was initiated some seventy years ago. Just two kilometers below Sitlakhet is the village Khoont which is the ancestral village of the late Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, the famous freedom fighter of India.