January 26, celebrated as Republic Day all over the nation, has a very personal significance for me, and it became more so this year because among the eminent persons honoured by the nation was Prof B N Goswamy, who I have had the privilege of knowing well for many years now.

I normally associated Doctor Sahib, as I call him, with the other national holiday that marks his birthday. Padma Bhushan Brijinder Nath Goswamy traces his roots to the holy city of Amritsar and he has made Chandigarh his home. Padma Bhushan is an honour that he richly deserves, one many expected that he would get sooner.

I am posting an article that I wrote on Prof Goswamy in 2004, when we were celebrating his 70th birthday, to give you more information about him and his work.
January 26, is also a cause of celebration because it also marks the birthday of two dear friends, Nitya and Aradhika, both remarkable women in their own right. This is the time of the year to celebrate their many accomplishments and wish them all the very best for many birthdays to come.