Independence Day Of India- August 15, 2020
Independence Day in India is celebrated on August 15th every year. Independence Day is a hallmark celebration for the citizens of India as it commemorates the day when the country finally achieved Freedom from British rule in 1947. It took many years of relentless struggle and sacrifices by freedom fighters to declare the nation free from British supremacy. Apart from Independence, the day also signifies the partition of India into two separate countries, India and Pakistan.
The day is celebrated as a national holiday throughout India. All companies, banks, educational institutions and government establishments shut their offices to take part in the day’s proceedings. Flag hoisting ceremonies, speeches by dignitaries and parades are held to celebrate the day. This article is an excellent read up on Indian Independence Day 2020. Let us discuss its history, significance, celebrations and quote famous sayings that are earmarked for the day. Relevant FAQs are addressed towards the end of this article.
Indian Independence Day: History
India celebrates 74th year of Independence on August 15th 2020. The East India Company made India as their settlement after they won the Battle of Plassey in the year 1757. World War 1 brought a bleak situation to India. The British took over complete control of the country and established their laws and regimes for the nation. All government orders were scrutinised by the British. Indians were suppressed and exploited for years together and were meted out the most inhumane treatment by the British.
This agitated a revolution in Indian minds, and the call for freedom and liberation from this oppressive rule soon became a reality. The struggle for Indian Independence under the leadership of eminent freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Abdul Kalam Azad, and more, took the country in a sea of revolt. Countrymen, including men, women and children made many personal sacrifices and gave up their elite jobs to fight for India’s Freedom.
The country saw many great movements like the Civil Disobedience movement, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India movement, Dandi March, and Jallianwala Bagh massacres before the call for Freedom substantiated.
Mahatma Gandhi stressed on the importance of Freedom for every human being and actively took over the reins of the freedom movement. He inspired every person to come out in the open and peacefully protest against British rule. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the tricolour flag for the first time at Red Fort, New Delhi on the midnight of August 15th, 1947 and gave the historic Tryst with destiny speech that marked the way to India’s Freedom and Independence from British Rule.
The British officially accepted India’s Independence with official handover duties from Lord Mountbatten and moved all their men and artillery back to their soil. Independence Day marks the most remarkable day in India’s history. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was made the first Prime Minister of Independent India.
Importance of Independence Day 2020
The road map to India’s future was carved with the blood and sweat of thousands of freedom fighters who gave their lives for the nation. Looking at India’s progress as on today, it is evident that the country has made inroads into every field of science, technology and development. India aims to be a superpower along with the developed countries in the near future.
Indians have created global milestones in the field of education, space programs, military forces, medical sciences, highways and infrastructures, engineering and technology fields. All this was possible because India, as a country, made significant progress from being a weak agrarian economy to a developing nation. The power of Freedom enables a country to envision its path to glory and success by writing its vision through hard work and dedication of its citizens.
On the midnight of August 15th in 1947, our country did not have an official National Anthem to be sung on occasion. Rabindranath Tagore authored India’s National Anthem as early as 1911, but India’s constitution officially accepted it only in the late 1950’s. Independence Day is a day of sacrifice and gives out a strong message to the youth of India. We all tend to take Freedom for granted. We have not achieved this Freedom out of the sheer grant.
It was a long struggle and loss of plenty of lives before the sun rose on Indian soil. The sacrifice and toil of thousands of people, our ancestors, should not go for a waste. We have to teach our next generations about the importance of Freedom and the liberties that it brings along with it. We need to preserve and respect our Freedom. We should also inspire the younger generation to join the armed forces and serve the country.
Indian Independence Day 2020 Celebration
At the arrival of the Prime Minister at the Red Fort, the formal salute from the Guard of Honour is presented by the chiefs of the Indian armed forces. The Prime Minister of India hoists the Indian National flag at the Lahori Gate inside the Red Fort campus to commemorate the Indian Independence Day. Simultaneously, the flag hosting is coupled with 21 gunshots fired in the air and the rendition of our National Anthem.
The flag hoisting ceremony is immediately followed by a speech delivered by the Prime Minister. This is the PM’s address to the nation. This event is then carried forward by the display of various cultural programs. Some of the highlights surrounding the day’s proceedings include march pasts, parades, tableau displays of multiple states, events by paramilitary wings, extraordinary and well-rehearsed performances by school-going children.
These celebrations are carried out in all the states across the country. Chief Ministers of respective states hoist the National Flag in their state capitals and celebrate the day with similar proceedings. Schools provide a rich diversity of celebration with a plethora of cultural events and performances by children. Schools encourage healthy competitive spirit by organizing competitions like patriotic essays, poetries, discussion and debates.
Many public places play patriotic songs to mark the day. In some states, the spirit of Independence is celebrated with kite flying events and competitions. Most of the public places are decorated in tricolour on account of Independence day. The customary Beating Retreat Ceremony is carried out every year at the Wagah Border in Amritsar.
Indian Independence Day Quotes
Some of the best inspiring quotes on Independence Day are given below:
- Mahatma Gandhi has famously said “Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?”
- Subhash Chandra Bose said, “Our nation is like a tree of which the original trunk is Swarajya, and its branches are Swadeshi and Boycott.”
- Bhagat Singh said, “The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas.”
- Jawaharlal Nehru said, “The service of India means the service of millions who suffer. It also means the ending of poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity.”
- Narendra Modi said, “We have a new resolve, a new resolution, a new enthusiasm and a new vitality to take the country to newer and greater heights.”
Conclusion
The country celebrates Independence Day every year with great zeal and enthusiasm. However, the sacrifices of our freedom fighters to attain us this Independence would be more fruitful if we dedicated ourselves to our nation. We can contribute in small ways to develop a healthy and progressive society. We can help by providing education to the poor and the needy. We can add to the country’s wealth by enrolling bright minds into government services.
The country shall move ahead on par with developed nations when discrimination on the grounds of sex, religion, community and caste are thrown into the backyard. Religious harmony and brotherhood alone can create a beautiful India to live in. Children and young adults should be encouraged to lead the country through their nation-building skills. We have to create a new movement of change to see our country progress in all directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do we celebrate Independence day in India?
India attained freedom from British rule on the midnight of August 15th 1947. IT was a long struggle for the people fo India before they gained complete Freedom. This day is celebrated as Independence Day.
2. How many years of Independence day?
India celebrates 74 years of Independence on August 15th 2020.
3. What is the difference between Republic day and Independence day?
Independence day marks the day when the country achieved freedom and independence from British rule. Republic Day marks the official day when the constitution draft was finally accepted and put into implementation within the state.
4. What is Independence Day?
All human beings are bestowed with certain fundamental rights that allow them to live free, according to their choice. Independence Day marks the closure of British rule in the country and revoking Indian practice throughout the country starting from August 15th 1947.
5. When is Independence Day
Every year Indian Independence Day is celebrated on August 15th.
Happy Independence Day!