India Republic Day 2026 Address by High Commissioner Dr Amit Telang
By Staff Reporter
Dr Telang is High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Ambassador of India to CARICOM and Consul General of India to the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla
26 January 2026
Hon’ble Mr Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs representing His Excellency the President of Guyana
Hon’ble Foreign Minister Mr Hugh Hilton Todd
H.E. Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary General of CARICOM
Distinguished guests from the Government of Guyana
Members of the National Assembly of Guyana
Esteemed colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps including the CARICOM Secretariat
Members of the Indian community and diaspora
Members of the media, business community and special invitees
Friends of India in Guyana
Namaskar! Good evening!
As we celebrate India’s 77th Republic Day today, it is a time to remember and pay our respects to our founding fathers who fought for our country’sindependence. They also guided us during the crucial foundational years of our Nation. Their pivotal contribution to the drafting of our Constitution holds special significance. Our Constitution enshrines our core values and ethos and also distinguishes us as representatives of an ancient civilization.
Our Constitution is not a mere tome. It personifies our spirit and our philosophy. The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- the world is a family and Satyamev Jayate- the truth always prevails.
On this day, 77 years back, we dedicated ourselves to uphold our Constitution, pledging ourselves to the cause of nation-building, a noble cause for which scores of freedom fighters sacrificed their lives and material possessions.
This 77 years long journey is full of travails and triumphs, as a civilization redeemed her rightful place in the global space. It was not only about thebetterment of our people but a constant endeavour toplay a meaningful role as a member of the comity of nations.
More than 150 years of colonial oppression could neither break our spirit nor could it vanquish our yearning for a life full of dignity, courage and freedom. Our brothers and sisters all over the world also fought against colonial oppression and dreamt of a world of dignity and respect. India’s independence and proclamation of a Republic inspired many countries including those in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean to strive for freedom and a life full of dignity and respect.
Let me recall the revered monk, Swami Vivekanand. During our freedom struggle Swamijigave a clarion call to all of us- to arise, awake and stop not- till the goal is achieved. His message keeps inspiring us to rise again and never give up. People would have doubted our resolve and our commitmentto our cause, but at every stage we proved that we are the inheritors of a glorious civilization. In the process, we also inspired our brothers and sisters across the globe to believe in themselves and never give up. It was a voice for all those who fought for freedom- not only in body but also in spirit.
The auspicious occasion of Republic Day provides us a unique opportunity to reflect on the past, the present, and our future. On 26th January, 1950, our motherland unshackled herself from the vestiges of a dominion system and became a Republic. It was realization of an idea expounded by President Abraham Lincoln. We gave ourselves a government of the people, by the people and for the people. The people of India dedicated the Constitution to ourselves and hence our preamble says- ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ give to ourselves our Constitution. It is not a gift or an inheritance. It is a mantle of responsibility that one generation protects, preserves and passes on to the next generation.
This year also marks 50 years of the composition of our national song ‘Vande Mataram’. It is a prayer to the divine form of Bharat Mata, our motherland, that instils patriotism and pride in every Indian- both residing in and out of India. For us our country is not a piece of land or a material possession. She radiates a spiritual persona of a mother who cares and nurtures her progeny. And her children, us, would do anything to protect her dignity. Composed by the venerable Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay this song is our lyrical tribute- an ode to our beloved motherland. It holds special emotional significance to our brothers and sisters in the diaspora who trace their ancestry to Mother India or Bharat Mata.
Yesterday, the 25th of January, was observed as ‘National Voters’ Day’ in India. As envisioned by our founding fathers, the exercise of the right to vote leads to political education. But beyond that it also provides us dignity and an opportunity to determine the future of our nation. For citizens of countries like us who faced the ignominy of indentureship and slavery it is a real reflection of freedom. It demonstrates our political awareness and our ability to decide the course our nation should pursue. Here, the eternal message of Mahatma Gandhi, our Father of the Nation, continues to guide us. He had told us:
Quote
“I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry andspiritually starving millions?
Then you will find your doubts and yourself melt away.”.
Unquote
Ladies and gentlemen,
Every five years we celebrate a fascinating festival of democracy in the form of our elections. It’s a mammoth exercise but at the end of it we see a reaffirmation of our unwavering faith in our democratic traditions and unshakable faith in our Constitution.
Marginalized community and tribal people, the original inhabitants of our lands, continue to be at the centre of our policy implementation. Enthusiastic participation of young voters, particularly women,provides a powerful dimension to our Republic- of inclusivity, vibrancy and real democracy at work at the grassroots level.
Friends,
Our mothers, sisters and daughters make us proud. Indian women are making their mark in every field, from agriculture to space, from self-employment to the armed forces. In the field of sports, they have set new benchmarks globally. Last year in November, the daughters of India scripted a golden chapter in sporting history by winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and subsequently the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup.
With this inclusive approach, many schemes have been implemented for the welfare and development of the underprivileged segments. Through the ‘Adi Karmayogi’ campaign, the leadership potential of the people of the indigenous and tribal community has been nurtured.
Our country has the world’s largest young population. Our youth has immense talent. Our young entrepreneurs, sports-persons, scientists, and professionals are infusing new energy into the country and making their mark on the global stage.
‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ or ‘MY Bharat’ provides a technology-driven experiential learning mechanism to connect young citizens with opportunities in several areas, including leadership and skill development. The impressive success demonstrated by start-ups in our country is mainly driven by our young entrepreneurs.
India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy. Despite global uncertainties, India hasrecorded continuous economic growth. By investing in the creation of world-class infrastructure, we are rebuilding our economic strength at a much larger scale. In this journey of shaping our economic destiny, Atma-nirbharata i.e. self-reliance is foremost amongour guiding principles.
Since ancient times, humanity has benefited from our civilization, culture, and spiritual traditions. Many of such ancient practices have been appreciated and adopted by the global community. As we moveforward with new self-confidence, conscious of our glorious traditions, we resolve to eradicate the vestiges of colonial mindset as envisioned by our founding fathers.
We deeply value the support of our international partners especially Guyana and all members of the CARICOM. Cooperation has remained at the core of our consciousness as responsible members of a global family. This spirit of cooperation and collaboration has guided us throughout our journey as a Republic and it will continue to provide a solid and strong foundation for our future endeavours.
Hon’ble Minister,
We cherish Guyana’s friendship and our commondesire to work together for the progress and prosperity of our people continues to connect and guide us. In an increasingly complex and unpredictable global environment, we need each other more than ever. Partners like you are indispensable in ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of all our citizens. Our policies as well as purpose should never ignore the tenets of human dignity and mutual respect. We must never forget that united we stand and divided we fall.
Let me also take this opportunity to convey my gratitude to H.E. The President of Guyana for his warmmessage of congratulations sent to our President and Prime Minister on our Republic Day. It reaffirms ourdeep friendship and mutual trust. Also, the historical connection and shared heritage between our two sister democracies.
I would like to specifically thank members of the Indian community and our highly successful diaspora in Guyana for their unwavering support towards forging closer ties and deeper understanding between our communities and people. Their affection for Indian and untiring efforts towards building stronger people to people ties remain valuable and indispensable to our evolving and expanding partnership. They are our strength. The raison de’atre for our presence in the beautiful country of Guyana.
I would also like to express my deepest sense of gratitude to the leadership in Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis and the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla where I am accredited. Last but certainly not the least let me express my gratitude to the colleagues from the CARICOM Secretariat for their constant support to our joint initiatives in cementing closer ties between India and the CARICOM member states.
In recent years our cooperation with our partners in the CARICOM and our engagement with the region as a whole has received a fresh impetus and a meaningful momentum. We have explored several new areas of cooperation, keeping in mind our commitment and emphasis on constructive engagement with the Global South. While we continue to pursue these new avenues, development cooperation and capacity building remain at the core of our partnership. May all of us continue to grow together, benefit from each other’s journey, learn from each other. Let us work for the prosperity of our people but more importantly ensure a dignified life for every citizen. Let our next generation inherit from us this deep friendship and mutual trust.
Excellencies, friends, dear brothers and sisters. I thank you. Let me once again extend my greetings on the occasion of Republic Day.
Dhanyavaad. Namaskar.