Independence Day, one of the three National holidays in India (the other two being the Republic Day on 26 January and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on 2 October), is observed in all Indian states and union territories.
Celebrated on 15th of August every year, Independence Day marks the end of 190-year-long British rule in India. In 1947, India was declared as a free country on this day.In 2020, India will complete 73 years as an independent nation.
Independence Day History and Significance
In 1757, the East India Company defeated the last Nawab of Bengal in the Battle of Plassey, which marked the beginning of the British rule in India. The Indian Rebellion or the First War of Independence took place in 1857 which was a major yet unsuccessful uprising against the British rule.
In the year 1885, India’s first political party, Indian National Congress was formed. And after the conclusion of World War I in 1918, Indian activists called for self-rule or ‘Swaraj’.In 1929, the Indian National Congress declared ‘Purna Swaraj’ or Independence of India at an assembly in Lahore.
Finally, after a series of sessions and meetings between the British government and the Indian National Congress, Lord Mountbatten who served as the last viceroy of pre-independent India, agreed to the proposal.On 15th August in 1947, Lord Mountbatten partitioned British India into two new independent nations; India and Pakistan.
Independence Day Celebrations across India
On this day, the President of India delivers the “Address to the Nation”. Prime Minister unfurls the national flag at Red Fort in Delhi to commemorate this historical event. Twenty-one gun shots are fired in honour of the solemn occasion.
In his speech, the prime minister highlights the past year’s achievements, raises important issues and calls for further development. He pays tribute to the leaders of the Indian independence movement. The Indian national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”, is sung.
The speech is followed by march past of divisions of the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary forces. Parades and pageants showcase scenes from the independence struggle and India’s diverse cultural traditions.
Similar events take place in state capitals where the Chief Ministers of individual states unfurl the national flag, followed by parades and pageants.
Academic institutions including schools and colleges, host a special ceremony for enlightening the students about the historical significance of this day. Children fly tri-coloured kites for celebrating this occasion.
Important Facts about India
->Seventh Largest Country by Area.
-> Second most Populous country after china and most populous democracy in the world.
->Shares land border with six countries i.e. Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar.
->Indian continent was the home to one of the oldest civilization which is Indus Valley Civilization.
->Along with 1.5 billion people, India is also a home for diverse wildlife. India has 120 National Parks,18 Bio-Reserves and 500 wildlife sanctuaries.
>Our India has no national language, Hindi is the official language of government.
->India has 22 constitutions recognized languages spoken all across the country.
->India has the third-largest Muslim population and it is highest among Non-Muslim majority nation.
->Indian film industry produces the world’s most-watched cinema. It includes cinema in regional languages also like Bengali, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, and Telugu.
->Earliest styles of Asian martial arts, such as kalarippayattu, musti yuddha, silambam, and marma adi, originated in India.
->India is birthplace of Chess (chaturaṅga) .
->Cricket is the most popular sport in India. Indian Premier League is the most-watched cricket league in the world and ranks sixth among all sports leagues.
->Only nation to entered MARS orbit in its first attempt and India’s ISRO is among the fourth space agency in the world to reach MARS orbit.
->ISRO holds a world record to launch 104 satellites in a single rocket.
We are Indians, firstly and lastly.
B. R. Ambedkar
