Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Celebrating 75 Years of Indian Independence

-- Mathew George, IIK Young Reporter

Monday, August 8, 2022

“At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”

India is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a very large population which enhances Indian cultural identity and diversity across different geographical and religious lines. In addition, the various variations of the languages spoken by the people of India also characterize the culturally dependent nation.
It is our pride that our India is the land of people of different castes, religions, race and beliefs, but all the people of India live together with a calm and peaceful mind. This is why the Indian cultural tradition is famous worldwide for its popular saying “Unity in Diversity”.

The Day When India Became Independent

The day of 15th August 1947 has been embossed as a golden day in the history of India. It is the day when our country, India got its independence from the 200 years of British rule in India. It was a very hard and long struggle for independence in which many of our freedom fighters and great men sacrificed their lives for our beloved motherland.

In other words, we can also say that Independence Day is like the birthday of our country; it is the day when a nation, long suppressed, finds its utterance. Certainly, independence day has a lot of importance in the history of any country. That’s why it is also fondly called the red-letter day in the history of our country.

Many schools, universities, workplaces, society buildings, governmental and non-governmental offices, and private associations celebrate this day with great enthusiasm. On this day, the honourable Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the Red Fort and addresses the whole country by a speech on India’s freedom struggle. The national broadcasting television channel, Doordarshan also communicates the whole occasion in real-time on TV.

On this special occasion of independence day, the people of India and across the globe remember the great sacrifices and unparalleled contribution of men and women towards independence of India. Famous Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Sadar Vallabhbhai Patel are paid reverent homage by one and all in the country for their significant contributions in the building of a self-reliant India.

Role of Women in India’s Independence

Several Indian women have also played a very significant and important part in the Indian freedom struggle. A few crucial and very important woman are Savitribai Phule, Mahadevi Verma, Capt Laxmi Sehgal, Rani Laxmibai, and Basanti Devi. These women along with many others in India and all over the world have played a prominent role in leading India towards its independence from the British colonial rule.

The ‘Good’ British Rulers who ruled India before Independence

Not all British officers were awful; many developed the infrastructure and culture of India and did incredible things for it. Some of them even took part in the Indian Independence struggle to gain freedom for India. Some of the good British rulers include Warren Hastings who developed court reforms in India, Freda Bedi who supported Indian nationalism, Allan Octavian Hume who started the Indian National Congress, etc.

Why do we celebrate Independence Day?

India accomplished its freedom on 15th August 1947 following a 200-year-long battle with the British. That is why the day of 15th August holds a lot of importance at the heart of each and every Indian citizen across the globe. Last year, India celebrated its 74th Independence day in 2021 and this year, we will be celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav remembering 75 years of Indian Independence.

The freedom that we have today also reminds us of the struggle and hard-work each Indian freedom fighter took to gain independence from the common enemy, Britain. It stirs up the feeling of patriotism in each and every Indian citizen and makes the younger generation familiar of our Indian Heroes.

Importance of Independence Day

Taking everything into consideration, Independence Day is a very important day in the life of every Indian citizen. Year after year, it reminds us of our great paragons, who were the strong and unshakeable foundation of the dream for a free India. This is a day which also reminds us of our forefathers who have done their share of duty and now it is in in our hands how we can shape and form the future of our country for a bright future for India’s development. They have played their part for our freedom and have played it really well. The country now looks up to us, the you get generation, as to how we perform our part with responsibility.

Conclusion

Independence Day of our country is very significant as it is the day when we commemorate the valour and spirit of the freedom fighters who fought for our nation’s independence from British rule. The day is recognised as National Day of pride and honour for India. Indian nationalism was established throughout the Indian independence movement, which gained freedom from the 200 years of British rule in India. To sum up, Indian nationalism is an illustration of territorial nationalism, which is all-encompassing of all of the people of India, despite their diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious backgrounds.