Make 69th Independence Day of India more meaningful by knowing some facts about it.
Aim of this post is to help understand why and how we celebrate Independence Day. This blog should assist us to make more sense of contemporary celebration style, speech of President and PM, very nature of parade, and should aid us understand what and why those different activities are done on Independence Day. Primarily, what to look for and listen to on 15th August.
Why do we commemorate Independence Day?
Everyone likes to be free, liberated and independent. Every person like to do what he or she feels to do. Don't you hate when you are forced to act against your will? Pause for a while and recall one of your such encounter. It was worst, wasn’t it? Now just imagine that same thing was forced on 34 crore people and that too for 200 years (at least 8 generations). We should not undervalue the significance of freedom.
How did we got independence?
As you might have studied in school curriculum, between 1857-1947 crores of people of our country came together and opposed anything and everything by British Raj. These masses where led by selfless and brave leaders raising Indian Independence movements starting from Non cooperation movement(1920), Dandi March (1930) to Quit India movement (1942). Majority of these oppositions and protests after 1920 were non-violent and civil-disobedience acts and lead by leaders of Indian National Congress under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Millions of lives were sacrificed for this freedom.
How do we celebrate?
Independence Day is celebrated throughout our country on 15th August every year with great splendor, joy and respect for our Mother India. Nation pays homage to all the brave-hearts who sacrificed their lives for her freedom and liberty.
Broadcast, print and online media create special programs, contests and shows. Movies and songs paying homage to freedom fighter and freedom movement are played. A patriotic environment is created to remind us the significance and price that this nation paid for Independence.
Flag hoisting, speeches and events
President of India always delivers “Address to the nation” on the eve of Independence Day i.e. on the evening on 14th August. Presidents speech is mostly concerned with one of his most important duty to maintain the integrity of Constitution of India.
Prime minister of India hoists the flag and gives speech on 15th August from Red Fort. After flag hosting, 21 shots are fired to solemn the occasion. PM in his speech mentions past years (68th) achievements, raises important issues and gives abstract plan for future execution. Kind of yearly report. Parades and pageant are followed by Prime Ministers speech. These parades are so designed to showcase our independence struggle and cultural diversity of India.
Only after ceremony in country capital is over, similar events of flag hoisting, speech, parade and pageant, are conducted at all state capitals by their respective Chief Ministers. Later, other politicians hoist the flag in their constituencies.
Once these are complete, flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in governmental and non-governmental institutions throughout the country. Lot of government buildings, public places and schools are illuminated with string lights.
Indian diaspora also celebrate Independence Day as per the convenience at the respective country they are staying.
No differentiation
Independence Day is a national festival and has equal importance for every Indian regardless of religion, class, creed or race. Throughout the country there is a scene of joy, pride and rejoice. No rituals but only festivities are to be seen.
Opposition and Security threats
You might find it strange, but it's the perfect day for separatist and militants acting against India and Indian constitution, to oppose Independence Day celebration and draw attention to their cause by sabotaging it with violent attacks. Terrorist organization have issued open threats and have carried out attacks on Indians and India. These leads to the national security issues on this very day.
History and Partition of India
The struggle for India's Independence began in 1857 with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. Later, in the 20th century, the Indian National Congress and other political organizations launched a countrywide independence movement. Colonial powers were transferred to India at 11pm on August 14, 1947. India gained its liberty and became a free country at midnight between August 14 and August 15, 1947.
It was then that the free India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech.
But Independence did cost partition of our country. India was divided into the Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan. Dominion of Pakistan was geographically divided into two parts, Pakistan and East Pakistan. Millions died in the riots that followed partition.
 |
| India side at India-Pakistan Wagha Border, Amritsar Punjab. I took this picture in Dec 2013. |
 |
| Pakistan side at India-Pakistan Wagha Border, Amritsar Punjab. I took this picture in Dec 2013. |
Regular citizen and public life
In order to celebrate and listen the address to nation by President, Prime Minister and Chief Minister, 15th August is declared as national holiday.
Sweets are distribute after flag hoisting in schools. Many people spend the day with family members or close friends. They may eat a picnic in a park or private garden, go to a film or eat lunch or dinner at home or in a restaurant. Other people go kite flying or sing or listen to patriotic songs.
Almost all movie channels entertain their viewers with old and new patriotic movies and classics.
There was a time when Indians were not aware of the problems going on in the country and the society. But today, the younger generation has come forward and many raise their voices against the issues that our country faces with the help of social media.
I would like to end this blog with stanza from a song:
ham laaye hain toofaan se kashti nikaal ke,
iss desh ko rakhana mere bachchon sambhaal ke
Some interesting facts
- Lord Mountbatten, responsible for power transfer to India, decided the date August 15 because during the World War II, it was on Aug 15, 1945 that the Japanese Army had surrendered before him.
- Pakistan’s Independence Day is 14th August.
- East Pakistan got independence from Pakistan on 26 March 1971 and renamed to Bangladesh.
- Red Fort is the biggest monument of Delhi, 1st PM of India hoisted the flag on Red Fort and from then on it became a tradition.
- The first time ever national flag was hoisted was on 7th August, 1906 in Calcutta.
- Though Jana Gana Mana was written in 1911, it became national anthem in 1950 and not 1947. That too because Nehru thought, 'Jana Gana Mana' will be easy to play by band.
- 15th August is also Independence Day for North Korea, South Korea, Republic of Congo and Bahrain.
- Goa was not part of Independent India, till India invaded it in 1961 from Portuguese.
- Similarly Sikkim too was not part of Union of India till 1975. On 16 May 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union.
- In 1947 exchange rate was dollar for nearly 1 Rs and gold was Rs 88.64/10gm.
That’s it for now. Let me know if you think I missed any critical event/information or made any mistake. In that case either write to me directly or below in the comment. Mainly, this Independence Day, don’t forget to share and discuss points mentioned here with your friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment