Indian Independence Day!

Let me first wish you all a Happy Indian Independence Day! 

Red Fort, Delhi

“At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom…..” the words delivered in the famous speech on “Tryst with Destiny” of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, while unfolding the Indian flag on the barricades of the Red Fort in Delhi on 15^th August 1947. It is the time when India gained independence from the mighty British rule. Since then Indian Independence day is celebrated in great zeal and fervor. The day symbolizes the victory of Indian patriotism; people pay their respect to the thousands of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country. Men, women, and children all walks of life celebrate with pomp and gaiety across India. Though it is a national holiday all the employees, staff gather for the flag-hoisting ceremonies. In spite of holiday, it is not different in schools and colleges. I still remember, we all the students and the staff members our school principal would be present to celebrate the day. I think this the only day even on a holiday we all would wake up early and would like to be in the school to be a part of the celebrations. All the students were trained weeks before the day for the march-past, and special drill exercises to be presented on Independence Day. 

Around 7:00 in the morning, well dressed in our school uniform we used to come prepared with our props to display special drill exercises in front of the hoisted flag and the special distinguished guest of the day. As the flag is hoisted by the special guest, we all sing national anthem and pay respect to the flag by saluting. After the distinguished speaker’s speech, we used to disburse off to our class to get some sweets distributed by our teachers. Early in the evening all the children and the parents would gather for a sort of cultural programs based on patriotism. I was fortunate to have participated in the cultural events couple of times in my middle school days. 

 On the national level, Prime Minister delivers a speech addressing the nation at the Red Fort in Delhi after flag hoisting. I happened to hear it on the radio along with all the patriotic songs that were played that day. Once television set entered our living room, I had the opportunity to watch the live coverage of the Prime Minister’s speech at the Red Fort. Nowadays most television channels telecast cultural programs, movies related to independence, apart from the patriotic songs that regenerate the hidden patriotism in people.
As a whole, it can be said that Independence Day is a holiday much awaited by many people in India, every year.

The unconquerable courage of tiger

The serenely beautiful heart of lotus

The colorful soul of peacock

That is what is there in India and in an Indian. 

Jai Hind!

Please enjoy this video.

“One individual may die for an idea; but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. That is how the wheel of evolution moves on and the ideas and dreams of one nation are bequeathed to the next”

- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose