Republic Day

Tomorrow, Thursday is India's Republic Day, this means parades, foreign dignitaries, and a day off. This year the Saudi King has been ivited to initiate the opening ceremony. India has had a contentious relationship with Saudi Arabia for many years because of Saudi's support of Pakistan regarding Kashmir. The Kashmir issue has not changed...I am forgetting something major. I'll have to read and come back with this. Apparently after 9/11 the Saudi government reacted by developig counter-terrorism strategies and renewing alliances with other countries such as India to work against terrorrism. It's interesting to get to know more about terrorrism from this end of the perspective. The US airstrike in Pakistan has been defintely interesting to follow, I wonder what went down in the meeetings held between Musharraf and his Ministers and Bush delegation.

The day that India gained Independence from Bristish rule is August 15, 1947. Republic Day celebrates January 26,1950, the day that India's Constitution became effective.

For me Thursday will also be picture day. So you'll finally get a glimpse of auto ricksaws, my exciting walk to the train, etc.

I'll get back to you on Saudi-India relations, more for me than you I guess. ;)