15th August- India’s Independence Day

 

“Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. 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 new when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance—a speech delivered by India’s 1st Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s Inaugural address on 15th August 1947.

India observes Independence Day on 15th August every year as our country acquired freedom on this day in the year 1947. This day is a historic day in the history of India. It is celebrated with great joy and shows on 15th August annually throughout the country. On this day in 1947, India gained independence from the British after nearly a century of struggles and sacrifices. It marks the end of the centuries-long rule of the British that had started when the East India Company defeated the forces of Siraj-Ud- Daulah, the nawab of Calcutta. Since then, several struggles, movements, and agitations continued to be carried out against them but were suppressed violently by the British government. In the 20th century, the country witnessed the rise of great leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Mahatma Gandhi. They followed the doctrine of peace and non-violence ultimately succeeded in liberating India on the 15th August 1947.

Independence Day provides the Indians an occasion to rejoice in their freedom and pay collective homage to all those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s cause. Independence Day commemorates the most significant moment in the history of India. It instils in all Indians a feeling of nationalism, solidarity, and celebration. We celebrate our freedom on this day and show our respect towards our country ‘India.’

On Independence Day, our main motive for celebration is to make aware to our young generation of the pride and courage of our brave freedom fighters and colonial rule. It is the day we forget all our cultural differences and united as real Indians. Youth need awareness because the nation’s future depends on the kid and their ability to change the country. So, it is our job to serve the nation and make every possible effort to create a better society. The celebration of this day comes with a feeling of nationalism and patriotism across the country. This day also feels our pride and unity in the country’s diversity. India is a country of individuals living together with different religions, a diverse society with a vibrant culture and tradition commend this special event with great joy. We feel pleased, making it more energetic to save our motherland from any attack on the country’s dignity and sovereignty.

We, the people, cannot miss taking prominent freedom fighters without whom the dream of our independence was impossible. Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Sukhdev, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Chandra Shekhar Azad, etc. sacrifice their life to make our country independent from British rule.

Every year the program of Independence Day is organized in New Delhi at the national level in which a flag is hoisted on the Red Fort Delhi by the Prime Minister of India. During this program, Prime Minister delivers an annual speech, which includes past accomplishments, our goal, and our vision. Most importantly, at the beginning of the address, PM commemorates and remembers all freedom fighters whose struggle makes us independent and our country becomes an independent country.

Independence Day motivates us to bond with each other irrespective of which religion, caste, community, creed, sex, or culture we belong to. India has shown phenomenal growth since its independence. India has witnessed growth in various fields, including science, technology, and agriculture, but there is still a lot to be achieved and a lot to be done.

 

REFERENCES:

1) Concise Encyclopaedia of India – by K.R. Gupta and Amita Gupta