Commemorating Indian Independence
Posted on: 15/Aug/2016 10:11:05 AM
Today, the 15th of August 2016 marks to be the 70th Independence Day of India. It was on this same day in 1947 that the nation was set free from the British colonialism. Across India, this day is celebrated in grandeur manner and the nation capital, Delhi enjoys this day with bundles of joy and fervor. Official celebrations for the Independence Day are taking place at Red Fort.
On this special day, Live Chennai intends to get you some interesting, lesser known facts about India.
History of Indian Independence and its significance
Intense struggle and deep sacrifice have gone behind the Indian Independence. The entry of British East India Company was the beginning of India’s colonization. This took place in 1600s. These merchants who stepped into India for trading later established their military and administrative control. By the year 1757, they had vast swathes of India under their control.
In 1857, an increased resentment against these rules was observed. During the same year, there was the very first planned revolt opposing the British rule. This took place in Barrackpore, a Bengal unit. This is widely known as the Great Struggle of 1857 or the Sepoy Mutiny. This mutiny marked the beginning of freedom movement in our country.
This mutiny resulted in shift of control from the hands of East India Company to the British Crow in London. Following this, between 1858 and 1947, India had been under the control of governor generals and viceroys from London.
During the course of this period, there were several incidents that alienated locale from the rulers. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 that killed over thousand naïve lives and the Bengal famine in 1943 where nearly 5 million people were killed are some of such incidents that Indian history will never forget.
There were many sedulous leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subash Chandra Bose, Chandrasekhar Azad and others who fought against the British rule and struggled for Indian independence.
Later, the British Prime Minister Clement Attlee made an announcement in February 1947 that India will be set free for self-governance by June 1948 at the latest.
Leaders like Gandhi, Patel and Nehru jumped into nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience movements that served as the base to lead for India’s independence. This however happened with the split of India into India and Pakistan.
On this same day in 1947, our Indian national flag was raised above Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi. Our then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the flag. During this event, Nehru delivered the speech Tryst with Destiny during when he addressed about the long struggle of India.
Independence Day celebrations
Though Indian independence has turned into a history, there is still a strong significance held with the date 15th August. Indians across the country celebrate this national holiday with family and friends, enjoying patriotic events. The Prime Minister of India hoists flag on ramparts of Red Fort at Delhi and gives out a speech. The other politicians will do the same in their resespective constituencies. Kites are flied too by the people as a symbol of freedom.
On this day, a national holiday is observed. And there are many flag hoisting ceremonies taking place on this special day along with cultural events and parades too. Most TV channels telecast special programs and movies that are mainly patriotic and classic.
