Australia and India Celebrate

Australian-and-Indian-flags

While in Australia millions are celebrating Australia Day, half a world away India is celebrating Republic Day.

Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.

A salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National Flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on that day. Thereafter 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and was recognised as the Republic Day of India.

The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to choose their own government and paved the way for democracy. Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in Government House and this was followed by the Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the National Flag. – Know India

I’ve had the privilege of visiting India three times over several years. It’s a truly amazing place. Below is a video of my first trip to India in 2003. I was joined by several locals to ride from Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, to Delhi, as well as cycling around Delhi. I was there as a guest of the Bible Society.



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10 Things You Probably Haven’t Done

ten

Let’s get the conversation going. I want to know about some of the things you’ve experienced that most others haven’t. What are the unique moments of your life?

I thought I’d try to spark things by listing a few things I’ve done that you probably haven’t.

While you may find one or two things on the list that you’ve done I sincerely doubt that you’ve done all ten. 🙂

I’m hoping that you’ll come up with a few of your own in the comments section of this post or that you’ll write a similar post on your own blog or Facebook page and link back here. If you’ve done any of the things on my list let me know.

I’ll just list the ten things and leave it to you. If you have questions about any of the items in the list, feel free to ask.

Ten things I’ve done you probably haven’t

1. Cycled across Australia five times.

2. Escaped a country when rioting and looting in the capital became widespread. (Haiti)

3. Hand fed a rhinoceros.

4. Stood on stage with Mikhail Gorbachev.

5. Cycled from Agra (home of the Taj Mahal) to Delhi in India.

6. Met General ‘Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf.

7. Interviewed 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans.

8. Preached at Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi, India.

9. Been mentioned at least twice in Australia’s Federal Parliament.

10. Cycled up and down an aisle at K-Mart in Miami, Florida.

So there you are. Now it’s over to you.



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I Left My Heart in Delhi

The song might be all about leaving your heart in San Francisco but I left my heart in India. I first visited India back in 2003 and cycled with some amazing people as part of Bike for Bibles there. We rode from Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, to Delhi. I visited again in 2005 and cycled from Delhi to Chandigarh.

India is an incredible country that must be experienced to begin to understand the attraction it holds. The colour, the sights, sounds, smells, the most amazing food and some truly wonderful people.

One of my Indian friends just asked me on Facebook when I’m heading back to Delhi. It’s been over six years since I was last there and I would love to be able to jump on a plane and head back for a month or so. If money and time weren’t an issue I’d book a ticket today.

Unfortunately I’m not likely to return any time soon. I’ll have to be happy with some amazing memories for the time being but one day I hope I can get back to Delhi and explore even more of that amazing country.

I can’t imagine calling anywhere but Perth home but India is constantly calling as a place to visit.

I’m wondering if there are places you’ve been that you’d like to visit again. What part of the world holds a special place in your heart? Has the travel bug bitten you or are you happy to stay home?



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Dreams of India

Taj MahalWhere do your dreams take you?

I was so pleased to be in India last night. I said over and over that it was so good to be back in India. Unfortunately I woke up to realise that it had all been a dream.

I’ve been to India a couple of times and would be back there in a heartbeat for another visit if I could afford the ticket. In my dream I was busy catching up really good friends that I’ve met on my previous visits and seeing some of the sights I love, as well as seeing new parts of India that I haven’t experienced yet.

One of the things I’d love to do in India is visit some communities on the coast. I got to do that in my dream last night. We were driven around a bay where the water of the ocean was washing over the road. We were traveling in a van and the van driver just kept going right on through the swollen waters. I remember thinking that I was perfectly safe because he was an Indian driver who knew the conditions and I could trust him completely to get us to our destination safely. I lifted my small suitcase onto my knees to avoid it getting soaked by the water which was now swirling around my feet.

India is such an amazing country and I’ve only experienced such a small sample of what the country offers. I really was dissapointed when I woke up and realised that I wasn’t actually there.

The most disappointing thing about realising it was a dream was that I hadn’t got around to eating an authentic curry before I woke up.



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Ten things I've done you probably haven't

So let’s get the conversation going.

I’ve been so busy recently with moving offices that I haven’t had the opportunity to reply to many of the comments readers have left here or get involved in conversations through this blog. I thought I’d try to spark things by listing a few things I’ve done that you probably haven’t.

While you may find one or two things on the list that you’ve done I sincerely doubt that you’ve done all ten. 🙂

I’m hoping that you’ll come up with a few of your own in the comments section of this post or that you’ll write a similar post on your own blog and link back here. If you’ve done any of the things on my list let me know.

I’ll just list the ten things and leave it to you. If you have questions about any of the items in the list, feel free to ask.

Ten things I’ve done you probably haven’t

1.  Cycled across Australia five times.

2.  Escaped a country when rioting and looting in the capital became widespread. (Haiti)

3.  Hand fed a rhinocerous.

4.  Stood on stage with Mikhail Gorbachev.

5.  Cycled from Agra (home of the Taj Mahal) to Delhi in India.

6.  Met General ‘Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf.

7.  Interviewed at least seven Australian Idol finalists and winners.

8.  Preached at a cathedral in India.

9.  Been mentioned at least twice in Australia’s Federal Parliament.

10. Cycled up and down an aisle at K-Mart in Miami, Florida.

So there you are. Now it’s over to you.



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