Guwahati: India is celebrating its 75th Independence Day today (August 15, 2021), with the usual pride to mark its freedom from British rule. The Indian Independence movement began during World War I and was led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. On August 15, 1947, India got its freedom, ending an almost 200-year British rule.
The Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons on July 4, 1947, and passed within a fortnight. It provided for the end of British rule in India on August 15, 1947. After that, India became a free country with the bifurcation of India and Pakistan.
Some of the great freedom fighters who helped in India’s freedom struggle include Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose and many more.
On 15 August 1947, the first Prime Minister of independent India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag at the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in New Delhi.
“Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny; and now the time comes when we shall 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,” Nehru said in his historic speech to the Constituent Assembly close to the midnight hour on 14 August 1947.
Independence Day: History
As mentioned above, Independence Day marks the end of British rule in India in the year 1947.
British rule in India began in the year 1757, when the English East India Company started exercising its control over the subcontinent. The company faced its first major resistance from Indians in 1857-58, often referred to as India’s first war of Independence. After ruling for about 100 years, the East India Company was replaced by direct British Crown rule.
Later, the Indian freedom movement again transformed into a mass struggle in early 20th century. Many freedom-fighters lost their lives to the British. People under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, BR Ambedkar, and many others started to become a part of India’s freedom struggle. Eventually, on 15 August 1947, India got its Independence.
Independence Day: Significance
Independence Day is one of the most significant days in modern India. It is important to observe the day to acknowledge the struggle freedom-fighters went through to gain our country’s freedom. It is because of that long struggle that India became a sovereign and democratic nation.
Every year, the day is celebrated every year with cultural programmes, flag-hoisting ceremonies and other competitions, across the country.
Independence Day theme 2021
This year, the theme of the Independence Day celebrations is ‘Nation First, Always First’. From flowers to paintings, all the arrangements being done for the Independence Day 2021 celebrations will carry the theme ‘Nation First, Always First’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue the tradition of addressing the nation from the Red Fort. This year, the athletes who won medals at Tokyo Olympics 2020 will get special invites for the event. However, the celebrations will be restricted to the public like last year, in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
The theme of Independence Day 2020 was ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India and in 2019, the Independence Day theme was ‘Support our Troops, Salute our Troops’.
Happy Independence Day!
