15th August 2015 – The 69th Independence Day of India.
Independence Day is of great Significance for every Indian. Every Indian celebrates this day with Great enthusiasm making it the happiest day of the year.
On the eve of Independence Day, the President of India delivers the “Address to the Nation”. On 15 August, the prime minister hoists the Indian flag on the ramparts of the historical site Red Fort in Delhi. This is done by the Prime Minister because On 15 August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, who had become the first Prime Minister of India that day, raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi.
Indians celebrate the day by displaying the national flag on their attire, accessories and homes; by listening to patriotic songs, watching patriotic movies; and bonding with family and friends.
Celebration:
Joy, Celebration can be seen in every street of the nation. People dress themselves by wearing the trio color dresses and decorating their offices and street with the Indian Flag and ballons. But apart from this there is a ceremony which is been followed from 2 decades.
- On the eve of Independence Day, the President of India delivers the “Address to the Nation”.
- On 15 August, the prime minister hoists the Indian flag on the ramparts of the historical site Red Fort in Delhi.
- Twenty-one gun shots are fired in honour of the solemn occasion.
- Tribute to the leaders of theIndian 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.
History:
The day was chosen by Viscount Louis Mountbatten, the last British Governor-General of India. He Chose August 15 since it was the same day that Japan surrendered in 1945 at the end of World War II. In the book “Freedom at Midnight”, he shared that it was decided instinctively in a press conference.
It was very difficult for Indian to free themselves from the clutches of British Empire. The history of India’s Independence is full of scars and sacrifices.
The British first came to India in the 1600s for the sole purpose of trade. They set up a company in Calcutta, originally called the Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies which later came to be known as the East India Company.
The first person to raise voice against the British Empire was Mangal pandey. The reason behind his revolt was, low wages of Indian workers than other British soldiers, racial discrimination and cultural misunderstandings. And another strong reason was the packing of the cartridges which was believed to be greased with cow and pig fat and soldiers had to tear the packing with their teeth in order to use it.
Then the various Battles took place resulting into the austere hatred for Britishers.
Revolt of 1857 is benchmark in the Indian History. It is also known as India’s First War of Independence. Most of north and central India extensively rebelled against the East India Company but were defeated and the control of the company was reinstated to the British..
Then the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Lord Curzon ordered a division of Bengal into East Bengal (now Bangladesh) and West Bengal to increase administrative efficiency and followed the basic theory of divide and rule. Another reason for the partition was the increasing tension and conflicts between the Hindu and Muslim communities of region. This led to the formation of the All India Muslim League in Dhaka, for the sole purpose of lending a voice to the Muslim community and looking after their interests.
After World War II, in 1947 British government get ensured that it no longer could show its power on the India. Indian freedom fighter were continued fighting and then Britain decided to free India from the rule however Hindu Muslim violence took place after the independence of India (on August 15, 1947) which separated India and Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the first Governor General in Karachi Pakistan. However, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of independent India. An official ceremony was held in the capital of country, Delhi where all the great leaders and freedom fighters (Abul Kalam Azad, B. R. Ambedkar, Master Tara Singh, etc) took part to celebrate freedom.
During violence of partition mass of people from both sides were died while people in other regions were celebrating Independence Day. The fifth meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held at 11 pm on 14th of August at Constitution Hall, New Delhi under the leadership of president, Rajendra Prasad where Jawaharlal Nehru proclaimed his speech.
In the midnight of 15 August 1947, India was proclaimed as independent country by the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru where he gave his speech over “Tryst with destiny”. He said during his speech that “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will 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 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.” Speech on 15 August 1947 by Nehru
