Independence Day in India
What do people do?
Independence Day is a day when
people in India pay homage to their leaders and those who fought for India's
freedom in the past. The period leading up to Independence Day is a time when
major government buildings are illuminated with strings of lights and the
tricolor flutters from homes and other buildings. Broadcast, print and online
media may have special contests, programs, and articles to promote the day.
Movies about India's freedom fighters are also shown on television.
The president delivers the
'"Address to the Nation" on the eve of Independence Day. India's
prime minister unfurls India's flag and holds a speech at the Red Fort in Old
Dehli. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs are held in the state
capitals and often involve many schools and organizations.
Many people spend the day with
family members or close friends. They may eat a picnic in a park or private
garden, go to a film or eat lunch or dinner at home or in a restaurant. Other
people go kite flying or sing or listen to patriotic songs.
Public life
Independence Day is a gazetted
holiday in India on August 15 each year. National, state and local government
offices, post offices and banks are closed on this day. Stores and other
businesses and organizations may be closed or have reduced opening hours.
Public transport is usually
unaffected as many locals travel for celebrations but there may be heavy
traffic and increased security in areas where there are celebrations.
Independence Day flag raising ceremonies may cause some disruption to traffic,
particularly in Dehli and capital cities in India's states.
Background
The struggle for India's
Independence began in 1857 with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. Later, in the 20th
century, the Indian National Congress and other political organizations, under
the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, launched a countrywide independence movement.
Colonial powers were transferred to India on August 15, 1947.
The Constituent Assembly, to who
power was to be transferred, met to celebrate India's independence at 11pm on
August 14, 1947. India gained its liberty and became a free country at midnight
between August 14 and August 15, 1947. It was then that the free India's first
prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous "Tryst with
Destiny" speech. People across India are reminded of the meaning of this
event - that it marked the start of a new era of deliverance from the British
colonialism that took place in India for more than 200 years.
Symbols
The sport of kite flying
symbolizes Independence Day. The skies are dotted with countless kites flown
from rooftops and fields to symbolize India's free spirit of India. Kites of
various styles, sizes and shades, including the tricolor are available in the
marketplaces. The Red Fort in Dehli is also an important Independence Day
symbol in India as it is where Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru unveiled
India's flag on August 15, 1947.
India's national flag is a
horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle
and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of the flag's width
to its length is two to three. A navy-blue wheel in the center of the white
band represents the chakra. Its design is that of the wheel which appears on
the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to
the white band's width and it has 24 spokes.
Independence Day
Observances
Note:
During a gazetted holiday, government offices and most businesses are closed so
people have a day off work.
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