Independence Day (India)
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| Independence Day | |
|---|---|
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| Flag of India atop the Mantralaya building in Mumbai | |
| Also called | Swatantrata Divas (Hindi) |
| Observed by | Indians |
| Type | National |
| Date | August 15 |
| Celebrations | Flag hoisting, distribution of sweets in schools, flying kites, singing patriotic songs, entertainment and cultural programmes |
India's Independence Day (Hindi: Swatantrata Divas) is celebrated on August 15 to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on that day in 1947. The day is a national holiday in India. It is celebrated all over the country through flag-hoisting ceremony and distribution of sweets. The main celebration takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister raises the national flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally televised speech from its ramparts. In his speech, he highlights the achievements of the government during the past year, raises important issues and gives a call for further development. Prime minister also pays tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle.
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[edit] History
[edit] Road to independence
On 3 June 1947, Viscount Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last British Governor-General of India, announced the partitioning of the British Indian Empire into an India and Pakistan, under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947. At stroke of midnight, on 15 August 1947, India became an independent nation. This was preceded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's famous speech titled Tryst with destiny.
| “ | At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again. | ” |
Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel invited Lord Mountbatten to continue as Governor General of India. He was replaced in June 1948 by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. Patel took on the responsibility of unifying 565 princely states, steering efforts by his “iron fist in a velvet glove” policies, exemplified by the use of military force to integrate Junagadh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Hyderabad state into India.
The Constituent Assembly completed the work of drafting the constitution on 26 November 1949; on 26 January 1950 the Republic of India was officially proclaimed. The Constituent Assembly elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India, taking over from Governor General Rajgopalachari. Subsequently, a free and sovereign India absorbed two other territories: Goa (liberated from Portuguese control in 1961) and Pondicherry (which the French ceded in 1954). In 1952, India held its first general elections, with a voter turnout exceeding 62%; in practice, this made India the world's largest democracy.
- See also: Tryst with destiny
[edit] Celebrations
15th August is a National holiday of India. In the capital New Delhi most of the Government Offices are lit up. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the state capitals. In the cities around the country the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by politicians belonging to that constituency. In various private organisations the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is carried out by a Senior officer of that organisation. Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hoisting ceremony and various cultural activities within their respective premises. Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centres, clubs and societies hold entertainment programmes and competitions, usually based on the freedom theme.
[edit] Kite Flying
Throughout varying regions of India, there is a popular tradition of flying kites on the Independence Day. The sky is dotted with hundreds of colourful kites and people engage in kite-flying competitions. Balconies and roof-tops of houses are full of people flying kites and one can hear cheerful shouts of children in the evening as the kites soar in the sky. The most popular kite to fly is one shaped like an elephant, witch symbolizes peace. Ha ha.
[edit] Programmes On TV
Television Channels, especially the national network, Doordarshan provide a live coverage on the occasion and radio channels give the live commentary for the general masses. Various channels treat their audience with patriotic films and songs on this day. Cultural programmes featuring classical music and dance performances by various artists are organized at several places.
[edit] Independence day in literature
The magical moment of freedom was described by poet Pradeep in film Jagriti (1954):
- मंजिल पे आया मुल्क हर बला को टाल के
- सदियों के बाद फिर उड़े बादल गुलाल के
- हम लाए हैं तूफ़ान से कश्ती निकाल के
- इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों सम्भाल के
Translation:
- The nation arrived at its destination, after surviving many calamities
- and after several centuries, celebrated the freedom by throwing coloured powder
- We (the older generation) have steered this ship during the terrible storms,
- You, my children, keep this nation safe.
Literal Translation with Hindi Poetic License:
- (The nation) reached its goal after surviving many calamities
- At long last, centuries later, did fly clouds of colour
- From within the storm we have brought out the rudder (of the sailing ship)
- This nation, my children, you must preserve.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Government of India - National days
- Video of Nehru's "Tryst with Destiny" address
- Republic Day - Proud to be a Indian
