The 15th August of every year is celebrated as the Independence Day to commemorate the independence of India from the British. On this day the flag of India is hoisted with due respect and major celebrations happens with pomp and gaiety across the country. The whole country celebrates the Independence Day as the National festival and the day is also declared as a national holiday. The patriotic fervor of the Indian people on this day brings the whole country together even in her embedded diversity. Apart from the flag hoisting ceremonies the day also witnesses various cultural programs and events.
As a part of celebration the people also indulge in solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs and pay homage to them. As it is the day of independence, national holiday is declared all over the country and all the educational institutions and government and private organizations remains closed on this day. However in schools social gathering is arranged where cultural programs are held. There are special programs telecasted in the TV which includes the live telecast of Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in the countries capital, New Delhi where government and political officials along with the public sit back as spectators to watch the events. The celebration of the Republic day is not only confined to the National capital for it also happens in all the state capitals.
History
According to history it was on 3 June 1947, the announcement of the partitioning of the British Indian Empire into India and Pakistan was made by the last British Governor General of India, Viscount Lord Louis Mountbatten. It was on 15th August 1947 India was totally let free from the clutches of the British and became an independent nation. The day of independence in 1947 witnessed the famous speech of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru titled Tryst with Destiny which goes like
"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again". Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of the independent India and on request of the Prime Minister ,Lord Mountbatten continued in office as Governor General of India till mid of 1949.He was then taken over by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari who held office till 1950.During these years (until 1950), King George VI continued as the King of India. Jammu & Kashmir became a part of India when Pakistan laid siege and Maharaja Hari Singh signed an "Instrument of Accession" with India to keep his state separate from Pakistan, despite it having a Muslim majority population.
Thus in history the Sovereign Democratic Republic of India was brought into force when the Indian Constitution framed by the Constituent Assembly came into action on 26th January 1950 inspite of our Independence from the British on 15th August 1947.Towards the end of 1946 so many people worked under different committee on the various features and aspects of Indian Constitution and the final version of the Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949 by the Constituent Assembly. But however the Indian Constitution was officially declared on January 26, 1950 with 395 Articles and eight Schedules. To the history finally only on 26th January 1950 that India became a nation in the true sense for which Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President. The first general election of India was held in 1952 with a voter turnout exceeding 62 percent, which proved India as one of the world's largest democratic country in the history of the modern and ancient world.
Celebrations
The main part of the Independence day celebration is the flag hoisting ceremony across the country. It is not confined only in the countries capital for throughout India flag hoisting is done by respective senior members pertaining to those particular organizations. Various cultural programs are also held depicting the countries rich cultural heritage and tradition which brings the whole country under one roof despite of her diversity. It also reflects the countries secularism and democracy. India which has a multi cultural status makes us feel proud for our languages, social norms, traditions, customs, religions, communitarian and the individual distinctiveness. The celebration of the day is also to culminate in us the feeling of a proud Indian.As a part of celebration people fly kites in the sky making the sky look colorful which also elevates the spirit of the individuals. People also have small get together or meet up for lunch or dinner. The main event of the day is the Prime Minister of India unfurling the tricoloured flag at the barricades of Red Fort which receives a salutation of 21 guns, and he addresses the nation with his speech during which tribute and homage is paid to the great souls who sacrificed their lives for nation's independence and reveals the achievements of the nation during the past year beside discussing significant issues and proposing steps for further growth. A vibrant parade exhibiting India's cultural multiplicity, emblematic portrayals of the nation's developments in science and technology, a collaborative parade of India's armed competencies by the three forces and patriotic skits and dramas by school children are an integral part of the Independence Day festivities. There are drills by school children, a pageant of spectacular regional displays exhibiting lifestyle, music and songs of that particular state giving the occasion a festive air.
Significance
The significance of the Independence Day in the existence of a nation is of greater value. The day is much more than merely celebrating the anniversary of India's free statehood. On this day India attained a major part of Asian subcontinent's 562 extensively spread territories besides British owned states.15th August 1947 symbolizes the victory of Indian patriotism which the nation got after uncertain yet brutal struggle from the repression of the British colonialism. The British, who oppressed India for centuries had primarily arrived to initiate business but steadily captured the entire government of the nation. They educated the Indians and in the process generated enthusiasts who weren't hesitant in helping them expanding their regime.Men and women from all over India joined hands and fought for India's freedom. Many were acclaimed while others contribution went unnoticed. However, praise wasn't what they desired for. It was the dream of free and autonomous India which motivated them to walk the path of struggle unselfishly. Neither did they battle for their region nor for their natives, but for India and Indians. At the time of growing communal and caste conflicts, it becomes significant to remind us that the people who laid the foundation of free India has always dreamt of an integrated nation. Hence, it is our duty to live and sustain their dreams, the sole reason for which Independence Day in India is observed. It is a day to pay a mark of respect to our saviors because of whom we are breathing an air of freedom which does not have the elements of exploitation and repression.