Republic Day (26 January) Speech : Indian National Festival

26th January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In this day India became a totally republican unit. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of their country. So, the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since.

Today, the Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.

To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The crème of N.C.C cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.

The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country.

The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India.

What is stock market and how it works ? Worth reading.

Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced that he would buy monkeys for Rs 10 each.

The villagers went out to the forest and started catching monkeys. The man bought thousands at Rs 10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort.

He further announced that he would now buy at Rs 20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.

Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to Rs 25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch one.

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at Rs 50. However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.

In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at Rs 35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell it to him for Rs 50.

The villagers squeezed up with all their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only many monkeys everywhere!

Welcome to the Stock Market. :-)

Sex, sighs and surveys: Prediction 2008

Children make some of the most candid observations. When a six-year-old asked at a party, "Why do elders get funny when someone says sex?" the adults present didn't have an answer. Much later someone said, "Last year there was too much sex-talk in the air, don't know what will happen this year."

Going by the many surveys last year and all thing sex-related that made the headlines, here is what we think will be utmost on our minds in 2008, sexually of course.

1. Children and sex will remain in focus.
Both in terms of child sex education and child pornography/sexual abuse. They should too given the September 2007 report released by the Ministry and Child Development announced we had 53.22 per cent children abused in India.
Circa 2008: Given the rising numbers and the raging debate around sex-education for children, hopefully'sex education' will be viewed differently: Less on whether 16-year-olds are mating in class and more about protecting the children from what should not happen to them, be it someone their age or older.

2. Much time will be devoted to the Search for the Big O

More column space, more lad mags and chick-lit, more blogs and yes, more sex... While 68 per cent Indians are happy with their sex lives apparently only 46 per cent have'regular' orgasms (Durex Sexual Wellbeing Survey, April 2007).
Circa 2008: The rest of the Indians will also strive to the join the happy-with-sex-lives lot and those who are having sex will find no reason to stop seeking that O.

3. Sex, fast and furious

Survey also shows that Indians get satisfied with little and have the quickest sex in the world. The rest of the world takes 18 minutes while we make do with 13 minutes. We are fast and even the women don't mind given 66 per cent of Indian women were satisfied with their sex lives. Foreplay of course is a myth.
Circa 2008: However, given that the lesser men were satisfied with their sex lives (58 per cent) as compared to the women, men would have sex even faster and with more women to satisfy themselves. Five years of research and studying 237 reasons on WHY people have sex, research has already shown that it's lust that drives temptation and not love. Infidelity will definitely increase.

4. Condom sale rises, government bp rises too

Vibrating condoms, glowing condoms, condoms with rings, paan flavoured condoms, female condom... 2007 saw much happening in the latex industry. While people responded positively, some felt sexual satisfaction was against'Indian culture'. It's a miracle 68 per cent Indians are happy with their sex lives.
Circa 2008: Sides will be divided on whether vibrating condoms are sex toys and if sex toys should be allowed. While sex toys might just be introduced in the market this year, availability and access are question. While 57 per cent Indians want sex toys (politically correct phrase is'products aimed at improving sex lives') it will be an interesting purchase for most are shy even when purchasing condoms.

5. And adult sex education someone?

Just when Indian parents were celebrating that their teenage children are really not having sex in schools - research showed that Indians lose their virginity late at 22.9 years - another research announced that late'losers' could have sex related problems, like premature ejaculation. A whole lot of Indians don't get married till 30 years.
Circa 2008: With teenagers growing up confused about sex and government banning anything related to Sexual Pleasure for adults, Indians will be clearly divided. A large number of Indians will marry young. The late singles will live-in with each other... Those who cant get married or cant find a release will roam the streets, disrobing women in mobs. There will be more trouble with landlords and more government people will be unhappy. There will be more surveys.