Maa Tujhe Salaam

-- Afia Shaikh, IIK Young Contributor

Monday, January 15, 2024

Our India is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a very large population which enhances the Indian cultural identity and diversity and diversity across the different geographical and religious lines. Additionally, the different varities of languages which are spoken by people in India also differentiates the culturally endorsed nation. It’s such a pride for us that our India is a land of people with different castes, religion, race and creed, but all the people in India live together with calm and peaceful mind.

That’s the reason why India’s cultural traditions are world-famous for the common saying of “unity in diversity.Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August as a public holiday in India commemorating the nation's independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947, the day when the provisions of the Indian Independence Act, which transferred legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly, came into effect. India retained King George VI as head of state until its transition to a republic, when the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 (celebrated as Indian Republic Day) and replaced the dominion prefix, Dominion of India, with the enactment of the sovereign law Constitution of India.

India attained independence following the independence movement noted for largely non-violent resistance and civil disobedience led by Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.Independence coincided with the partition of India, in which British India was divided into the Dominions of India and Pakistan; the partition was accompanied by violent riots and mass casualties, and the displacement of nearly 15 million people due to religious violence. On 15 August 1947, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi. On each subsequent Independence Day, the incumbent Prime Minister customarily raises the flag and gives an address to the nation.The entire event is broadcast by Doordarshan, India's national broadcaster, and usually begins with the shehnai music of Ustad Bismillah Khan. Independence Day is observed throughout India with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events. It is a national holiday.