India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday, commemorating the moment when the Indian Constitution went into force, resulting in the country becoming a sovereign state and the world’s biggest democracy.

On January 26, 1950, India accepted the ideas that have made it the Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, the Democratic Republic that we know today. It is the day we adopted our Constitution, the world’s longest written document. 

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Indian cricketer Virat Kohli led the way as Indian cricketers took to to Twitter on Wednesday to wish the country a happy 73rd Republic Day.

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Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes took to Twitter on Wednesday to post a message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India’s 73rd Republic Day. PM Modi sent his Republic Day wishes to Rhodes, recognising his “affection for India” and referring to him as a “special ambassador of strong relations” between India and South Africa.

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Rhodes added in his tweet, which included the letter, that his family celebrates Republic Day with ‘all of India.’

“Thank you for your nice remarks, @narendramodi ji.” Every time I’ve visited India, I’ve developed so much as a person. “My entire family is celebrating #RepublicDay with the rest of India, honouring the significance of a #Constitution that preserves the rights of the Indian people #JaiHind,” Rhodes tweeted.

In his letter, Prime Minister Modi underlined the significance of this year’s Republic Day and expressed hope that Rhodes will “continue to work closely” with the country.

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“The 26th of January this year is even more noteworthy because it falls during India’s 75th year of independence from colonial control.” “As a result, I decided to write to you and a few other friends of India, expressing my thanks for your devotion for India and expressing my hope that you would continue to work closely with our nation and our people,” said the Prime Minister.

PM Modi also welcomed Rhodes’ decision to name his daughter India. “When you named your daughter after this magnificent nation, you genuinely expressed the particular tie.” “You truly are a special ambassador of our nations’ strong ties,” PM Modi wrote.

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle also received a letter from PM Modi in which he expressed his wishes to the people of India on Republic Day.