India’s Independence Day and Economic Development

-- Abdullah Sabih, VII-A, Carmel School

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Independence day in India is celebrated on August 15. It marks the end of British rule in 1947 and the establishment of a free and independent Indian nation. It is a national holiday which marks the anniversary of the partition of the subcontinent into two countries, India and Pakistan.

British rule in India began in 1757, when following the British victory at the Battle of Plassey, the English East India Company began exercising control over the country. The East India Company ruled India for 100 years, until it was replaced by the British Crown in the wake of The Indian Revolt in 1857-58.

Every year on 15 August, the streets of India are adorned with the tricolors of the national flag. Landmarks and government buildings are lit up in the country’s national colors. Shops, malls and houses are decorated in similar colors and shopkeepers can be seen selling flags and various other decorations for the occasion.

Although celebrations take place throughout the country, India’s capital city, Delhi, is the main staging for Independence day festivities. The event begins with the hoisting of the national flag by the Prime Minister which is followed by the singing of India’s national anthem. Later, the celebrations include patriotic parades for honoring the freedom fighters, and a march-past led by the Indian Armed Forces.

Every Indian holds a different viewpoint about Indian Independence. For some, it’s a reminder of the long struggle while for youngsters it stands for the glory and honor of the country. Above all, we can see the feeling of patriotism across the country.

After the independence era, Indian economy was inspired by the Soviet model of economic development. India recorded the highest growth rates in the mid- 2000s, and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. India is mainly an agricultural economy. Agricultural activities contribute about 50% of the economy. Agriculture involves growing and selling of crops, poultry farming, animal husbandry, fishing, etc.

People in India earn their livelihoods by involving themselves in many of these activities. These activities are vital to our economy. The Indian economy has seen major growth in the last few decades.

Abdullah Sabih, VII-A, Carmel School