Happy Birthday Independent India

-- Liz Mary Joseph, 8-D, Indian Educational School (Bhavans)

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Independence Day has been declared as the National and Gazetted Holiday throughout the country, to commemorate its independence from British Empire on 15 August 1947. India’s first Prime Minster Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had raised the Indian flag on the Lahore gate of the red fort to mark India’s freedom on the same day.

European traders had come to India in the early 16th century. The British East India Company had become a huge colonial power from a small trading company by conquering many small territories with various policies like Doctrine of Lapse, Paramountcy system etc. India’s first freedom struggle was due to the Sepoy mutiny which turned out to be a huge rebellion in the early 18th century. This was a partial success. After the World War-1, the discontent of the people due to the Rowlett act crystallized into the nationwide non-violence movements of non-cooperation and civil disobedience, which was led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, lovingly known as Gandhiji. This type of protest was introduced in India first by Gandhiji and became an inspiration to many great leaders like Nelson Mandela. By the 1930’s, the reform was legislated by the British and Congress won in the following election. India’s participation in the World War-2 and the escalating political tension was tapped by independence in 1947 from the last governor general of India (before independence), Louis Mountbatten.

On the eve of independence, the President of India addresses the nation and raises the Indian flag in the ramparts of the Red Fort. Afterwards, he delivers a speech which highlights the past year achievements, present issues and further developments to be made. The speech is followed by March pasts and parades from all states showcasing India’s various cultural traditions.

India in the present is an epitome of the sacrifice and hard work of so many of its citizens. India is a developing country and one should try stand up to further prosper our motherland by discharging our responsibilities. We know we have still got work to do as not everyone benefits equally from India’s development. We should support our workers, create more opportunities and most importantly, fight COVID-19 to leave this new generation a healthy world. We should also strengthen our relationships with our neighbouring countries and step up to these challenges together because no challenge is too great when we face it together. We salute all the brave freedom fighters of India and will try our level best to contribute to the development of our country.

Happy birthday independent India.

Liz Mary Joseph, 8-D, Indian Educational School (Bhavans)