August 15th is observed as Independence Day in India to commemorate its freedom from the British rule in the year 1947. After nearly 200 years of struggle India got freedom from the clutches of British rule. This day is the most important day in the Indian history and is celebrated with great patriotic spirit throughout the nation.
India Independence History
The long battle for Indian independence began in 18th century when the British east India Company began to impose its rule in India. The first struggle began with the Sepoy mutiny in Meerut in 1857. Later in the 20th century a nationwide freedom movement under the leader ship of Mahatma Gandhi led to the India’s independence. Some of the important chapters in the Freedom Struggle were the Non Cooperation Movement, Dandi March, Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement. The British finally succumbed to the nonviolence and civil disobedience movement by the Indian freedom fighters and on the midnight of August 14th an independent India was born. The Union Jack was brought down and for the first time, our National Flag, flew over the Red Fort, Delhi which was hoisted by India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It was a proud moment for the entire nation.
During its long struggle for freedom the country produced great leaders and patriots like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subash Chandra Bose, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Lala Lajpat Rai, Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad. Since then every year August 15th is celebrated as Independence Day with great grandeur and pomp.
How is Independence Day Celebrated in India
August 15th is a national holiday in India. It is a day to rejoice our freedom and a day to commemorate the sacrifice of the great freedom fighters who laid their lives for the sake of India’s independence. Independence Day is a day when we pay homage to our great national leaders and heroic freedom fighters. Every Indian celebrates this day with great zeal and patriotic fervour.
The President delivers the 'Address to the Nation' on the eve of Independence Day. On august 15th the main event takes place in Delhi at the red fort where the prime minister of India hoists the national flag followed by the singing of National Anthem. The prime minister gives a traditional speech addressing the people of India from its ramparts of Red Fort. Flag hoisting ceremonies are also held in state capitals, government and private institutions and various schools and colleges across the nation. Sweets are distributed in the schools on this day. Parades and cultural programmes are also held. At night all the official buildings are illuminated with lights. The whole nation celebrates this day with great enthusiasm.