Independence Day of India

By Admin 521 0 Comments Apr 10, 2023

On 15th August 1947, India officially gained independence from the 200-year-long oppression from the British Empire. Since then, Independence Day has been celebrated each year on the 15th of August. It is celebrated to honour the selfless sacrifices of thousands of valiant patriots who kept the freedom struggle alive until the Indians were independent.

The first Independence Day of India was celebrated on the 15th of August 1947. It was on this day that the Indian national flag was hoisted for the first time in independent India. This year India will be observing its 76th Independence Day.

Independence Day 2023 Date	15th August 2023
Day	Tuesday
Year	76th Independence Day
Significance	India officially gained independence from the 200-year-long oppression of the British Empire
Also Called As	Swatantrata Diwas

When is Independence Day in 2023?

In India, Independence Day is celebrated on the 15th of August. It is observed as a public holiday, where all private offices, shops, schools, and Government offices are closed. The Tricolor is unfurled by the Prime Minister from the Red Fort on the 15th of August each year to mark Independence Day celebrations.

The Indian Independence Act of 1947

The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was passed to partition the country into two states – India and Pakistan. The primary objective of the Act was to transfer legislative sovereignty to the Indian constituent assembly from the erstwhile British Government. Even though the Act is called the “Indian Independence Act 1947”, it was passed by the parliament of the United Kingdom. This act got Royal assent on 18th July 1947, and ultimately independence became a reality on 15th August 1947.

Other important outcomes of the act include:

It paved the way for the partition of the provinces of Bengal and Punjab.
Offices of the Governor-General were established in India and Pakistan that were supposed to act as representatives of the British Government.
It allowed the full-fledged legislative authority to the divided nations.
It gave princely states the option to join either of the two, India or Pakistan.

However, the act was repealed on 26th January 1950 when the Constitution of India took over.

Why is Independence Day Celebrated?

15th August, every year since 1947, is observed as the Indian Independence Day to celebrate the true spirit of freedom and independence in the country. The Independence Day celebration is done to pay our tributes to the countless freedom fighters who stood tall against British rule and shed their lives to free India from colonial rule.

Independence Day commemorates the end of India as a British colony. The British left the country after over 200 years. Moreover, the Independence Day holiday is a national event to spread the feeling of nationhood. It instilled a sense of pride and a feeling of patriotism among every citizen of the country.

How is Independence Day Celebrated?

Days before 15th August, one could easily guess Independence Day is coming. Government offices, buildings, and landmarks light up in national colors. One can easily spot various shops selling tricolor clothes, flags, souvenirs, and other items used in Independence Day decoration.

On this day, the national flag receives much-deserved attention and love. Patriotic songs are played at metro stations, schools, government offices, etc. One peculiar Independence Day activity is the screening of patriotic films and documentaries on almost all TV channels.

It’s a day marked with whirlwind commemoration, and the following are some worth observing practices:

Flag Hoisting at Red Fort

The incumbent prime minister receives a 21-gun salute from the Indian armed forces at the Red Fort and hoists the tricolor. The highlight point of the celebration is the Independence Day parade, where all three-armed forces put on display their abilities and capabilities. The celebration also includes the prime minister’s address to the nation, where he speaks about the nation’s journey since independence and hints at the roadmap ahead.

Address by Various Political Leaders

Political leaders are invited to different flag-hoisting events where they inspire the gathering on the feeling of nationhood. Chief ministers of states, governors, leaders of the opposition, MPs, MLAs, and other people of influence are the ones you’d find addressing the mob on Independence Day.

Celebrations at Home

Since Independence Day is a national holiday, people get to spend the day with their families. Most families are excited about watching the Independence Day parade on Doordarshan, followed by a spree of patriotic movies.

How is Independence Day Celebrated in Schools?

15th August is a national holiday. However, a day before the holiday or anytime during the week of 15th August, educational institutions organise special events to make children aware of the importance of Independence Day.

The Government allocates special funds to schools for organising Independence Day programs. The idea is to make the new generation aware of the hardships faced by our ancestors in freeing the country from the clutches of the British Empire.

Schools allow children to sing freedom songs, participate in essay writing competitions, debates, present skits, acts, dance, and anything that signifies the importance of the independence movement.

Learned members of the teaching staff and senior students often educate children on the significance of the day. Since the past few years, schools, especially Government schools, have arranged for students to listen to the Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Independence Day.

Places to Observe Independence Day Celebration in India

Venues may be different, but the enthusiasm and feeling of patriotism with which people celebrate Independence Day are the same across the nation. That said, experiencing Independence Day celebrations at places of historical significance adds to the experience.

Following are some places where you can experience the best Independence Day celebrations in India:

Wagah Border

Wagah Border is situated in Amritsar, Punjab. The border fencing separates India from Pakistan. The border security forces on either side are there to perform drills. On Independence Day, soldiers from both sides exchange sweets and march past in perfect drills. The “Beating the Retreat” ceremony on Independence Day is a treat to watch. Scenes at Wagah Border turn very enjoyable as soon as the artificial tricolour lights are on. The atmosphere there is electrifying.

National War Memorial

Visiting the national war memorial at India Gate in Delhi would surely give you goosebumps. Constructed in the memories of brave martyrs, it will continue to serve as a token of inspiration for coming generations. Each year on Independence Day, the President, accompanied by some Central ministers, pays his tribute to the fallen soldiers.

Red Fort

The most auspicious Independence Day celebration occurs at the Red Fort in Delhi. Red Fort is where the Prime Minister unfurls the Independence Day Indian flag. Other attractions include the 21-gunshot regime, the Prime Minister’s speech, and the Independence Day fair. Seats for the event for the general public are on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the History and Backgound of Independence Day?

Independence Day, also known as Swatantrata Diwas, is observed in remembrance of the fallen martyrs who helped in the success of the independence movement. India was freed from British rule on this day and divided into two nations on religious lines.

Exhausted by World War II, the Britishers were quick to realise that it was a matter of time before they completely lost control over India. The civil disobedience movement going nationwide stirred the Government in Britain. On 20th February 1947, the British decided to hand over full self-governance to India. After that, it was a matter of months before we took our independence.

On the evening of 14th August 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India met for the fifth meeting headed by President Rajendra Prasad. It was during this session when Jawaharlal Nehru delivered his immortal speech, “Tryst with Destiny”, to declare India’s Independence.

Since then, on each Independence Day, the prime minister hoists the flag at Red Fort and delivers a speech addressing the nation.

Some of the interesting facts related to the Nation and its Independence:

Adoption of the Indian National Anthem

When India gained independence, it did not have an official national anthem. The song Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata, composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911, was renamed Jan Gan Man and adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India as the national anthem on January 24, 1950.
The First Flag was Hoisted in Kolkata

According to historians, the first national flag in India was hoisted on August 7, 1906, in Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta, now Kolkata. The flag was composed of three horizontal red, yellow, and green stripes, while Vande Mataram was scripted on the middle strip.
Tricolour is India's National Flag

In 1931, a resolution was passed adopting a tricolor flag as our national flag. The flag, forebear of the present one, was saffron, white, and green, with Mahatma Gandhi's spinning wheel at the center. Later, on July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted the tricolor as the Free India National Flag. However, it replaces the spinning wheel on the flag with the Dharma Charkha of Emperor Asoka as the emblem on the flag. The first variant of our current national flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya in 1921.

Why was August 15 chosen?

Although the Indian Independence Act was approved on July 18, 1947, Lord Mountbatten selected August 15, as the date of Indian independence because it coincided with the date of Japan's surrender to the Allied Forces after World War II. Earlier, the British parliament had given a mandate to Lord Mountbatten to transfer power by June 30, 1948. However, as per C Rajagopalachari's memorable words, if he had waited till June 1948, there would have been no power left to transfer. Therefore, Mountbatten preponed the date to August 1947.
State Emblem of India

A representation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka placed above the motto, Satyameva Jayate, was chosen as the emblem of the Dominion of India on December 30, 1947. Later, on January 26, 1950, the three-dimensional emblem showing four lions was adopted as the State Emblem of India.

The National Song Vande Mataram, Part of a Novel

The national song 'Vande Mataram' composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, was indeed part of his novel Anandamath, written in the 1880s. This song was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896 and later, on January 24, 1950, it was adopted as the national song.

Indian Independence Act of 1947 Came into Force

The 1947 Indian Independence Act was passed by the British Parliament, which officially declared the Independence of India. The act divided British India into Pakistan and India, two newly independent nations. On July 18, 1947, the British Parliament approved the Indian Independence Act of 1947.

Radcliffe Line was officially published on August 17, 1947

The borderline that separated India from Pakistan, known as the Radcliffe Line, was revealed on August 17, 1947. The demarcation line, drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe to depict Punjab and Bengal's Pakistani and Indian portions, was completed on August 3, 1947. However, it was officially published on August 17, 1947.

Chief Ministers Commenced Unfurling the Indian Tricolor only in 1974

Governors of the respective states unfurled the national flag on Independence Day until 1973. While the Chief Ministers of the respective states started unfurling the Indian National Flag only in 1974, this comes after the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi, wrote a letter to the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, highlighting the different practices followed in Delhi. This suggestion was accepted by the Central government.

India Receives Its National Flag from Only One Place

The entire nation receives the Indian flag from the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS), located in Dharwad, Karnataka. It is the only unit in India that is authorized to manufacture and supply the Indian flag. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the national flag is manufactured only with hand-spun and handwoven cotton khadi bunting.

Mahatma Gandhi did not Attend India's First Independence Celebrations in Delhi

On August 15, 1947, while the nation celebrated its arduously earned freedom, Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, did not attend the first Independence Day celebration in Delhi. Gandhi was on a hunger strike in Kolkata, Bengal, to stop the violence between Hindus and Muslims.

India Named after River Indus

India received its name from the River Indus, a place that was home to the country's first inhabitants. In India, it is known as Bharat Ganarajya in Sanskrit. It is popularly called Bharat in Hindi.

Sikkim Became Part of India After 28-Year of Independence

Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975, after then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signed the 36th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on April 23, 1975, and May 15. The amendment bill was introduced after 97.5 percent of the people voted to go with India in the referendum held on April 14, 1975.

The Price of Gold at the Time of Independence was Below 100

Gold is one of the commodities whose prices have increased significantly since independence. As per the Indian Post Gold Coin Services, the price of 10 grams of gold used to cost Rs 88.62 in 1947. Ten grams of the precious metal will now cost lakhs of rupees.

Other Nations Celebrate Independence Day on August 15

Apart from India, five other nations also celebrate their Independence Day on August 15. These nations include the Republic of Congo, which gained full independence from French colonial rulers in 1960. Both South Korea and North Korea were freed from Japan's colonial rule in 1945. Similarly, Bahrain gained independence from its British colonial rulers in 1971, and Liechtenstein gained independence from German rule in 1866 and has celebrated August 15 as its National Day since 1940.

FAQs

Why is the 15th of August celebrated as Independence Day?

It was on 15th August 1947 when India clinched independence from the 200-year-long British tyranny. Since then, every year, the 15th of August has been celebrated as Independence Day.

Is it the 75th or 76th Independence Day in 2023?

We are going to celebrate the 76th Independence Day in 2023. The 75th Independence Day-themed nation First, Always First was celebrated on 15th August 2022.

Where to observe the best Independence Day celebration?

Though celebrations are observed nationwide, the celebration at Red Fort is certainly a thing to be a part of. You can even watch the entire proceeding live on your television sets or smartphones, as it is aired live by the official broadcaster Doordarshan. Other noteworthy celebrations are held at Wagah Border, National War Memorial, Gandhi Smriti Museum, etc.

Is there a National holiday on Independence Day?

Yes, Independence Day is a national holiday. There is a holiday nationwide as all states and union territories observe this day. Independence Day is one of the three national holidays, the other two being Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti.

What is the difference between 15th August and 26th January flag hoisting?

Though the tricolour is unfurled on both occasions, there’s one notable difference. On 26th January, i.e. Republic Day, the President of India hoists the tricolour, while on the 15th of August, the prime minister hoists it.