Every year on 15 August, the streets of India are adorned with the tricolours of the national flag as the country celebrates its day of independence.
The Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 every year to commemorate India’s freedom from the British rule in 1947. After independence, India became the world’s largest democracy after the UK Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, 1947, transferring legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly.
The Independence Day also marks the anniversary of undivided India’s partition into India and Pakistan. On the eve of India’s independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime minister, had said in his ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech: “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”
What led to Indian independence?
The British East India Company first came to India in 1617 to facilitate trade between Mughal India and England. The traders slowly seized control of India, helped by the fact that the country was divided into sub-territories with multiple local rulers. The British employed a ‘divide and rule’ approach, pitting powerful local maharajas against one another, and by the 1850s had almost total control of the country.
India fought many hard battles against British rule, but what started the real freedom fight was the Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny, when Indian soldiers nationwide revolted against British commanders. It was the first large-scale rebellion against the British East India Company and posed a considerable threat to British power in India. Although the revolt was unsuccessful, it led to the British Crown taking control away from the East India Company. Many protests were held against the exploitation that followed by the British Empire, including the Gandhi-led non-violent resistance and civil disobedience movement.
What happens on Independence Day?
Every year, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at Delhi’s Red Fort and makes an address to the nation, which is followed by a military parade. The President of India also delivers the ‘address to the nation’ speech. In honour of the occasion, twenty-one gun shots are fired.
This day is observed as a national holiday across India, with offices, banks and post offices remaining closed. Independence Day is observed with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events in all Indian states and Union Territories.
Preparations for the Independence Day start a month in advance. Schools and colleges organise cultural events, competitions, debates, speeches, and quiz competitions.
How is Independence day celebrated in schools?
Independence Day is a national holiday in India, and as such all schools close for the day. Celebrations vary from school to school, but most schools will hoist the colours of the national flag. Primary schools will also get into the spirit by decorating their classrooms and performing plays for fellow students or reciting patriotic poems. Since the day is a holiday for all, most people choose to spend this time with their loved ones and celebrate as they see fit.