Independence Day of India
- Jawaharlal Nehru
(Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947)
The Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country.
The British, had initially come for trade but gradually took over the total administration of the country.
At the strike of midnight of the August 15, 1947, India shook off the shackles of British Rule and became free. It was a night of celebration all over the country.
Commemorating the day India attained freedom (15th August); Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes all over the country. The main program is held at the Red Fort where the Prime Minster unfurls the National Flag and it is saluted by Guns.
The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is a major highlight. Patriotic presentations by school children add colors to the celebrations.
Delhi’s skyline gets dotted with thousands of kites taking to the sky this day. Similar programmes are held at all the State capitals also.
The preparations begin a month in advance. Roads are decorated with flags and buntings. Buildings of national importance are illuminated.
History of Independence Day
At the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, read out the famous speech proclaiming India's independence.
The moment ended three centuries of British colonial rule. The land was no longer the summer retreat of British sahibs who fancied spices, shikar, elephants and snake-charmers.
Independence was also the end of nearly a century of struggle for freedom, battles, betrayals and sacrifices. It also created a situation where we were responsible for ourselves.
But it wasn't a period of unqualified joy. For a lot of people, in spite of a new era promised by independence, partition was a painful reality and so was the bloodshed that accompanied it.
That was 60 years ago. Much has changed; the struggle for freedom lives on in history books and memoirs, and on the tombstones of valiant martyrs.
Politics has undergone a personality change from fiery idealism to a pragmatic cynicism. Karma drives the nation on its way forward, and population has crossed the billion mark.
But, come August 15, and the people put their troubles behind them for a while, as they stand up as a nation for the National Anthem. Along with the soaring cadences of the anthem, the hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow are renewed in political speeches and replays of the deeds of those who earned us our freedom.
Independence Day is an occasion to rejoice in our freedom and to pay collective homage to all those people who sacrificed their lives to the cause. But it is more than that. It also marks the coming together of more than 400 princely states into one nation - India. This was probably our biggest diplomatic success.
Each year, August 15 gives us the reason to celebrate all this, and do much more - it is a time to contemplate what we have and how we achieved it.
Though India had no dearth of religious and community festivals, there was, till Independence, no true national festival that the whole country could partake of. Independence Day, beginning as a day to commemorate the greatest moment in Indian history, has now come to signify a feeling of nationalism, solidarity and celebration.
Independence Day remained the sole national festival till India declared itself a republic in 1950. On January 26, 1950, Republic Day became the second Indian national holiday.
India’s Partition
LORD MACAULAY’S ADDRESS TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, 2 FEBRUARY, 1835
"I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation."
In June 1947, Muslim League and the Congress Party decided to partition India along religious lines. Thus under the provision of the Indian Independence Act, two separate nations, India and Pakistan were born.
Nearly 15 million refugees crossed the borders on the two sides with Hindus and Sikhs moving from Pakistan to India and Muslims from India moving to Pakistan.
Bloodshed and riots followed in the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. While India received most of the 562 scattered polities or princely states, Pakistan received the remaining western part and the Muslim dominated eastern region which was known as East Pakistan now Bangladesh.
Celebrations of Independence
August 15, Independence Day, is celebrated in a mood of abandon and joy - no rituals, just festivities. It is also a national holiday, with educational institutions, private and government organizations remaining closed, but for official celebrations in the morning.Schools and colleges mark the day with cultural activities, drills, flag hoisting and distribution of sweets. Government as well as private organizations celebrate it similarly.
Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centers, clubs and societies hold entertainment programmers and competitions, usually based on the freedom theme.
The Prime Minister sets the mood by hoisting the national flag and addressing the nation from the Red Fort, the historical monument in Delhi. This is accompanied by a march-past of the armed and police forces. Similar ceremonies are held in all the state capitals. The Prime Minister's address and the march-past are relayed live on national television.
In cities, one sees a sudden burst of saffron, green and white, the Indian tri-colour. The media goes to town with a variety of contests, promotions and programmes related to Indian independence. Television channels show patriotic movies and relentlessly play patriotic songs from old and new Hindi movies. Billboards on roadsides for different brands pay their tribute to the nation.Everyone seems to have something going for them. Shops and petty tradesmen sell a range of Independence Day merchandise such as flags, stickers, tee-shirts and greeting cards. Street urchins hawk paper and plastic flags and tri-coloured balloons to motorists at traffic signals.
Though a trifle commercial and jingoistic, what lies beneath the celebrations is the national spirit of gaiety, pride and hope for a better future. A spirit and hope that is renewed each year.
Red Fort Ceremony
On the morning of August 15, the Prime Minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. In his speech, he highlights the achievements of the country during the past year and gives a call for further development. He also pays tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle.
Independence Day should not merely become a part of our holiday list. There should be serious efforts in educating the future generations about the struggles which the freedom fighters underwent to give us the freedom that we enjoy today.
There has to be a concerned effort by everyone to make available the lives and teachings of the sons of the soil, who sacrificed their all, so that we could enjoy the freedom.
Independence Day celebrations in 2010
India will complete 62 years of independence from the colonial rule in the year 2010.
Flag Hoisting
“Under this flag, there is no difference between a prince and a peasant, between the rich and the poor, between man and women."
-- Mrs. Sarojini Naidu
Preamble of the Flag Code of India says that:
The significance of the colours and the chakra in the National Flag was amply described by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the Constituent Assembly which unanimously adopted the National Flag. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan explained -
"Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation of disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work."
"The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct."
"The green shows our relation to soil, our relation to the plant life here on which all other life depends."
"The Ashoka Wheel in the centre of the white is the wheel of the law of dharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought to be the controlling principles of those who work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change."
On 15 August 1947 India and Pakistan were created. India adopted the tricolour of orange, white, and green with a blue Ashoka Chakra at the centre. Unofficially this tricolour had been the flag of the Indian National Congress. The orange colour represented Hinduism, the green colour - Islam and the white colour represented peace. There was a blue spinning wheel in the centre, which represented Gandhiji's call for economic self-sufficiency through hand spinning.
Prime Minister of India hoists the flag and pays his homage to the freedom fighters and addresses the Nation. Children are brimming with enthusiasm on this day. Early in the morning, they attend the flag hoisting ceremony in their schools. They sing patriotic songs and present skits and dramas based on the freedom struggle.
This special day revives in us the nationalist spirit. There are celebrations all over the country. We listen to patriotic songs, and there are assemblies all over to salute the national flag. People watch the colourful march-past of the local police or the military forces. In educational institutions, the march-past is usually done by students and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets. Sweets are distributed and free movie shows featuring Nationalistic and Patrotic movies are shown.
Other Programs
Kite Flying
There is a tradition of flying kites on the Independence Day. The sky is dotted with hundreds of colourful kites and people engage in kite-flying competitions.
Kites painted with the three colours of the national flag are a hot favourite. 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.
Programmes On TV
Independence Day is a national holiday and the television channels treat their audience with patriotic films and songs. Cultural programmes featuring classical music and dance performances by top artistes are organised at several places. Television Channels provide a Live Coverage on the occasion and Radio Channels give the live commentary for the general masses.
Independence Day, August 15, commemorates the day in 1947 when India achieved freedom from British rule. It is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs in the state capitals. The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.
All Government Organisations have a holiday as 15th August is a National holiday. In the capital New Delhi most of the Government Offices are lit up. In all 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. On Television, various Independence related programs are telecasted, reminding us of the hard times faced by the freedom fighters.
In almost all the schools and colleges around the country, no academic work in done on this day, but all the students and staff members are present on this day and there is a sort of gathering of the entire school/college within their respective premises and the flag hoisting ceremony takes place, (usually in the presence of the principal) and singing of the National Anthem. After this there are various cultural activities held in the school / college and the celebration continues till late evening.
National Anthem
The National Pledge
One of the common activities performed during Independence Day celebrations is the recitation of National Pledge in a fixed specific manner.
The National Pledge is recited in a loud voice in unison by standing straight and stretching right hand forward.
Many Indian schools include national pledge as a part of daily morning assemblies and essentially also included in the observance ceremonies for Independence Day and Republic Day.
Pledge
India is my country.
All Indians are my brothers and sisters.
I love my country.
I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.
I shall always strive to be worthy of it.
I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders, respect, and treat everyone with courtesy.
To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.
In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness.
National Song
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the national song of India with a title “vande Matram”. The national song was first sung by Rabindranath tagore by setting heart touching glorious tone to it. The song was first sung at the session of the Indian National Congress in 1896.Shri Aurobindo translated the national song into the English version which is considered as official and best as per Bhavan's book, Vande Mataram by Moni Bagchee.
Vande Mataram !
Sujalam, Suphalam,Malayaja Shitalam,
Shasya shyamalam, Mataram !
Shubhra jyotsna Pulakita yaminim
Phulla Kusumita
Drumadala Shobhinim,
Suhasinim, Sumadhura Bhashinim,
Sukhadam, Varadam, Mataram !
Sapta Kotikantha Kalakala Ninada Karale
Dvisapt Koti Bhujair Dhrita Khara Karavale
Abala Kena Ma Eta Bale !
Bahubala Dharinim,Namami Tarinim,
Ripudalavarinim Mataram !
Tvam Hi Durga
Dashpraharana Dharini,
Kamala, Kamaladalaviharini, Vani,
Vidyadayani, Namami Tvam,
Namami, Kamalam,
Amalam, Atulam,
Sujalam, Suphalam, Mataram,
Vande Mataram !
Shyamalam, Saralam,
Susmitam, Bhushitam,
Dharanim, Bharanim Mataram !
National symbols
National Emblem
The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Four Lions in standing position (one hidden from view) on a base having Dharma Chakra at the center, a bull on the right and a horse on the left.The words 'Satyameva jayate' in devanagri script are inscribed at the bottom meaning “ truth alone triumphs”. The National emblem is a symbol of contemporary India's reaffirmation of its commitment to world peace and goodwill.
National Calendar
The national calendar of India was adopted on March 22nd 1957. The calendar is based on the Saka Era with Chaitra as its first month and Phalgun as the last month. The year comprises of 12 months and 365 days. The national Calendar of India is used along with the Gregorian calendar for the following official purposes-
* Gazette of India.
* news broadcast by All India Radio.
* calendars issued by the Government of India.
* Government communications addressed to the members of the public.
National Animal Tiger
National Flower Lotus
National Fruit Mango
National Tree Banyan Tree
National Game Hockey
National Bird Peacock
National Language Hindi
Patriotic Poems
Where the Mind is Without Fear
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into
the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widenning
thought and action-
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake
----Rabindranath Tagore
My India
Better than Heaven or Arcadia
I love thee, O my India!
And thy love I shall give
To every brother nation that lives.
God made the Earth;
Man made confining countries
And their fancy-frozen boundaries.
But with unfound boundless love
I behold the borderland of my India
Expanding into the World.
Hail, mother of religions, lotus, scenic beauty,
and sages!
Thy wide doors are open,
Welcoming God's true sons through all ages.
Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and
men dream God -
I am hallowed; my body touched that sod
----Swami Yogananda,paramhansa
India, My India
India, my India, where first human eyes awoke to heavenly light!
All Asia's holy place of pilgrimage, great Motherland of might!
World-mother, first giver to humankind of philosophy and sacred lore,
Knowledge thou gav'st to man, God-love, works, art, religion's opened door.
O even with all that grandeur dwarfed or turned to bitter loss and maim,
How shall we mourn who are thy children and can vaunt thy mighty name?
Before us still there floats the ideal of those splendid days of gold;
A new world in our vision wakes, Love's India we shall rise to mould.
India, my India, who dare call thee a thing for pity's grace today?
Mother of wisdom, worship, works, nurse of the spirit's inward ray!
----Author unknown
Independence Day
Fifty days of independence from you.
You that I am when finally I sleep.
Where colours blur into a muddy brown
and almond eyes are startingly blue.
You are my context, my only clue.
How do you deny me when I am you?
My tongue curls sounds that you have made.
My box is of stones that you have laid.
I love you and loathe you, my lost is yours,
Your home and mine are foreign shores,
Brown as a nut, and as bleached as afraid,
we are the monster that you have made,
Slowly, slowly the ignorant learn,
Look at us, look at us, we are a thing apart--
Like father like daughter, can't finish what I start.
-----By Tara Sahgal
Patriotic Songs
Saare jahaan se achcha……………………
Saare jahaan se achcha hindostaan hamaraa
hum bul bulain hai is kee, ye gulsitan hamaraa
parbat vo sabse unchaa hum saaya aasma kaa
vo santaree hamaraa, vo paasbaan hamaraa
godee mein khel tee hain is kee hazaaron nadiya
gulshan hai jinke dum se, rashke janna hamaraa
mazhab nahee sikhataa apas mein bayr rakhnaa
hindee hai hum, vatan hai hindostaan hamaraa
Ai mere pyaare vatan…………………….
ai mere pyaare vatan, ai mere bichha.De chaman
tujh pe dil qurabaan
tuu hii merii aarazuu, tuu hii merii aabaruu
tuu hii merii jaan
(tere daaman se jo aae un havaao.n ko salaam
chuum luu.N mai.n us zubaa.N ko jisape aae teraa naam ) - 2
sabase pyaarii subah terii
sabase ra.ngii.n terii shaam
tujh pe dil qurabaan ...
(maa.N kaa dil banake kabhii siine se lag jaataa hai tuu
aur kabhii nanhii.n sii beTii ban ke yaad aataa hai tuu ) - 2
jitanaa yaad aataa hai mujhako
utanaa ta.Dapaataa hai tuu
tujh pe dil qurabaan ...
(chhod kar terii zamii.n ko duur aa pahu.nche hai.n ham
phir bhii hai ye hii tamannaa tere zarro.n kii qasam ) - 2
ham jahaa.n paidaa hue
us jagah pe hii nikale dam
tujh pe dil qurabaan ...
Ai mere vatan ke logo………………………………..
ai mere vatan ke logo.n
tum khuub lagaa lo naaraa
ye shubh din hai ham sab kaa
laharaa lo tira.ngaa pyaaraa
par mat bhuulo siimaa par
viiro.n ne hai praaN ga.Nvaae
kuchh yaad unhe.n bhii kar lo -2
jo lauT ke ghar na aaye -2
ai mere vatan ke logo.n
zaraa aa.Nkh me.n bhar lo paanii
jo shahiid hue hai.n unakii
zaraa yaad karo qurabaanii
jab ghaayal huaa himaalay
khatare me.n pa.Dii aazaadii
jab tak thii saa.Ns la.De vo
phir apanii laash bichhaa dii
sa.ngiin pe dhar kar maathaa
so gaye amar balidaanii
jo shahiid...
jab desh me.n thii dIvaalii
vo khel rahe the holI
jab ham baiThe the gharo.n me.n
vo jhel rahe the golii
the dhanya javaan vo aapane
thii dhanya vo unakii javaanii
jo shahiid...
koii sikh koi jaat maraathaa
koii gurakhaa koi madaraasii
sarahad pe maranevaalaa
har viir thaa bhaaratavaasii
jo khuun giraa parvat par
vo khuun thaa hindustaanii
jo shahiid...
thii khuun se lath-path kaayaa
phir bhii banduuk uThaake
das-das ko ek ne maaraa
phir gir gaye hosh ga.Nvaa ke
jab ant-samay aayaa to
kah gaye ke ab marate hai.n
khush rahanaa desh ke pyaaro.n
ab ham to safar karate hai.n
kyaa log the vo dIvaane
kyaa log the vo abhimaanii
jo shahiid...
tum bhuul na jaao unako
is liye kahii ye kahaanii
jo shahiid...
jay hind... jay hind kii senaa -2
jay hind, jay hind, jay hind
Bhaarat hamako jaan se pyaaraa hai…………………………..
bhaarat hamako jaan se pyaaraa hai
sabase nyaaraa gulistaa.n hamaaraa hai
sadiyo.n se bhaarat bhuumi duniyaa kii shaan hai
bhaarat maa.n kii rakshaa me.n jiivan qurbaan hai
bhaarat hamako jaan se...
uja.De nahii.n apanaa chaman, TUTe nahii.n apanaa vatan
duniyaa dhar dharatii korI, barabaad naa karade koii
mandir yahaa.n, masjid vahaa.n, hinduu yahaa.n muslim vahaa.n
milate rahe ham pyaar se
jaago ...
hindustaanii naam hamaaraa hai, sabase pyaaraa desh hamaaraa hai
janmabhuumi hai hamaarii shaan se kahe.nge ham
sabhii to bhaaI\-bhaaI pyaar se rahe.nge ham
hindustaanii naam hamaaraa hai
aasaam se gujaraat tak, ba.ngaal se mahaaraashhTr tak
jhanakii sahii gun ek hai, bhaashhaa alag sur ek hai
kashmiir se madraas tak, kah do sabhii ham ek hai.n
aavaaz do ham ek hai.n
jago ...
Quotes about India
Find below the collection of such quotations, which truly describe the far-fetched India!
* We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made. - Albert Einstein.
* "If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India." - Max Mueller
* “In religion, India is the only millionaire - the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all the shows of all the rest of the globe combined.” - Mark Twain quotes
* “India - the land of Vedas, the remarkable works contain not only religious ideas for a perfect life, but also facts which science has proved true. Electricity, radium, electronics, airship, all was known to the seers who founded the Vedas.” -Wheeler Wilcox (American poet)
* “India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grand mother of tradition.” - Mark Twain.
* "India has two million gods, and worships them all. In religion all other countries are paupers; India is the only millionaire." - Mark Twain
* “If there is one place on the face of earth where all dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.” - French scholar Romain Rolland.
* India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border. - Hu Shih (Former Chinese ambassador to USA)
Proud to be Indian
* India never invaded any country in her last 1000 years of history.
* India invented the Number system. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.
* The world's first University was established in Takshila in 700BC.More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
* According to the Forbes magazine, Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software.
* Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans.
* Although western media portray modern images of India as poverty striken and underdeveloped through political corruption, India was once the richest empire on earth.
* The art of navigation was born in the river Sindh 5000 years ago. The very word 'Navigation' is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH.
* The value of pi was first calculated by Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is now k! nown as the Pythagorean Theorem. British scholars have last year (1999) officially published that Budhayan's works dates to the 6th Century which is long before the European mathematicians.
* Algebra, trigonometry and calculus came from India. Quadratic equations were by Sridharacharya in the 11th Century; the largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Indians used numbers as big as 10 53.
* According to the Gemological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds to the world.
* USA based IEEE has proved what has been a century-old suspicion amongst academics that the pioneer of wireless communication was Professor Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.
* The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra.
* Chess was invented in India.
* Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted surgeries like cesareans, cataract, fractures and urinary stones. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India.
* When many cultures in the world were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilisation).
* The place value system, the decimal system was developed in India in 100 BC.
Important Events
1947 : India gains freedom on 15th August
1950 : India becomes a Republic.
1951-52 : This period saw the first general election of independent India
1948 : India's first Olympic gold medal in hockey
1961 : Indian army annexed Goa from the Portuguese
1965 : Indo-Pak war
1971: Indo-Pak War – Bangladesh was born with India’s support.
1974 : India explodes a nuclear device in an underground test.
1975 : Indira Gandhi declares emergency
1983 : India wins the World Cup in cricket
1988 : Viswanathan Anand becomes India's first Grandmaster in Chess
2004 : Thousands of people killed in the Tsunami.
2007:
* Taj Mahal, Indian monument elected as no1 out of Seven Wonders of the World.
* India win Asian hockey tournament.
* India win first Twenty-20 world tournament.
2008:
* India sets a world record by sending 10 satellites into orbit in a single launch.
* Abhinav Bindra won 1st ever individual gold medal for country in olympics.
* Arvind Adiga won man booker award 2008 for his debut novel “ the white tiger”.
* India, US signs nuclear deal.
* Stock market crash in India caused BSE sensex to fall below 9K , which had once touched 22K mark
* Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11 shook the whole nation, killing 183 people leaving the whole city in stress for 60 hrs.
Videos
There are many popular songs and videos related to India and Independence of India. Getting collection of all interesting and familiar videos at one place truly proves a great Independence Day present for any country lover. Find below few of the most popular patriotic song videos and some rare videos describing the struggle for Independence of India.
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