August 15 is the most important day for India and there are no two ways about it.
Our independence struggle made history because of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress.
On the night of August 14, 1947, thousands of Indians gathered near government buildings in Delhi for the official ceremony ushering in Independence. Jawaharlal Nehru, who would become the first Prime Minister of India, addressed the crowd an hour before midnight. “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially,” he said. “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.” At midnight, India celebrated its freedom from the British Empire.
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On the morning of August 15, 1947, Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi. Twenty-one gun shots were fired on this occasion.
Every year the Prime Minister addresses the nation as he highlights the year's achievements, raises important issues and calls for further development. He also pays tribute to the leaders of the Indian independence movement. Once the speech is over everyone rises to sing the ‘Jana Gana Mana’, our National Anthem.
A marchpast by the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary forces is one of the highlights of the day. Various departments take the initiative and showcase scenes from the Freedom struggle.
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Celebrating one of the three national holidays of our country is done with zeal and enthusiasm all across the nation. Today, as we mark our 67 year of independence, we take a look at what India looked like on August 15, 1947.