NEW DELHI: Republic Day celebrations will begin every year from January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, government sources on Saturday.

Last year, the Narendra Modi government had decided to observe January 23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’ to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bose.

The recent decision is in line with the Central government's focus on celebrating or commemorating important aspects of India's history and culture, government sources said on Saturday.

Other such days, observance of which has become a yearly affair, are August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, October 31 as National Unity Day (birth anniversary of Sardar Patel), November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Birsa Munda's birth anniversary), November 26 as Constitution Day and December 26 as Veer Baal Divas (a tribute to the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh), sources added. 

Netaji was one of the most prominent figures of the Indian freedom struggle. He was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack.

The other such days, observance of which have become an annual affair, are:

August 14 — Partition Horrors Remembrance Day

October 31 — Ekta Divas or National Unity Day (The birth anniversary of Sardar Patel)

November 15 — Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (The birthday anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda)

November 26 — Constitution Day