73rd Independence Day of India – 15 August 2019 Celebrations

Independence Day of India 2019

Independence Day of India is a National Festival celebrated every year on the 15th of August. It is a day of great significance for the people of India. On this day in 1947, India got freedom from British rule after long years of slavery. It has been declared the National and Gazetted Holiday throughout the country to commemorate its independence from British Empire on the 15th of August in 1947.

Achievements of India after Independence

It was not easy for India to get freedom from the Britishers; however, our freedom fighters, political leaders, and the people of India were determined to gain independence.

Finally, they succeeded on August 15, 1947, when the complete Legislative powers were granted to the Indian Constituent Assembly. Many have sacrificed their lives to attain freedom for their future generations without worrying about their comfort, rest, and freedom.

They planned and acted upon various Independence Movements, including violent and nonviolent resistance to gain absolute freedom.

However, independence has its own sorrows as the partition of Pakistan followed it. The partition wasn’t acceptable to some of the classes, resulting in communal riots on both sides. That horrible riot was the reason for mass casualties and the dislocation of people (more than 15 million) from their homes.

To this day, all the national, state, and local government offices, banks, post offices, markets, stores, businesses, organizations, etc., remain closed; however, public transport is unaffected. The day is celebrated in the capital of India, New Delhi, with big enthusiasm. It is also celebrated in all the schools, colleges, and other educational institutions by the students and teachers, including the public community and society.

15 August 2019

Independence Day of India was celebrated by people all over India on Thursday, the 15th of August 2019. This year in 2019, India celebrated its 73rd Independence Day to pay tribute to and remember all the freedom fighters who had contributed a lot and fought for the Independence of India.

The first Independence Day was celebrated in India on the 15^th of August in 1947.

What was Special on 73^rd India’s Independence Day 2019

Independence Day in India was fervently celebrated all throughout the nation. This year too, the celebrations were remarkable as India commemorated its 73^rd Independence Day, which was very special in more than one way:

• Panchayat Heads of Bhartiya Janata Party in J&K hoisted the Tricolor in their houses.
• President Ramnath Kovind and three service chiefs paid tribute to the war heroes at National War Memorial.
• The Government of India scrapped Article 370 from J&K through a Presidential order on 5th August 2019.
• Former President Pranab Mukherjee, social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and singer and lyricist Bhupen Hazarika (posthumously) were conferred with the Bharat Ratna in an event at President House on 8th August.
• Chhattisgarh set a new world record by unfurling the world’s longest Tri-Colour flag of about 15 km on the 11th of August 2019, supported by a chain of thousands of people in Raipur.
• On the 73rd Independence Day of India, for the first time, the Indian Flag was displayed at several locations in Jammu & Kashmir amid grand celebrations.
• Lieutenant colonel and Indian Cricket Player Mahendra Singh Dhoni unfurled Indian Nation Flag in Leh on the 73rd Independence Day of India.
• This year, after the abrogation of Article 370, the state of Jammu & Kashmir celebrated its first biggest National Festival ever.
• Wing-commander Abhinandan Varthaman was awarded Veer Chakra on 73rd Independence Day.
• Due to the withdrawal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian intelligence agency has issued a high alert in 6 states of India, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, in view of the increasing terrorist threat.
• Twitter launched an emoji of Ashok Chakra on Wednesday (14^th August), celebrating the 73rd Independence Day of India. This emoji will be live till 18th august and in several languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, and Oriya.
• The Government honoured 5 brave Indian pilots involved in the Balakot air strike, namely wing commander Amit Ranjan, Squadron leader Rahul Basoya, Pankaj Bhujde, B.K.N. Reddy, and Shashank Singh.
• President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, congratulated President Kovind and Prime Minister Modi on Independence Day.
• In a major announcement, the Prime Minister indicated the creation of a post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who would head all the three defence forces of India.
• The Prime Minister also announced in his speech “Jal-Jeevan Mission” – an approximately 3.5 lakh Crores project to provide clean drinking water to every household.
• Prime Minister stressed the need for water conservation through methods like rainwater harvesting.
• Prime Minister expressed the government’s willingness to tap the huge tourism potential of the country.
• Prime Minister also announced an investment of Rs. 100 Trillion for the infrastructure development in rural India.
• 132 Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces personnel were conferred with various gallantry awards on Independence Day.

Also Read: Independence Day Speech for Students

What was Special on 72nd India’s Independence Day 2018

The following was special on India’s Independence Day 2018:

• UP Government banned the production and use of Polythene bags of 50 microns as well as all plastic or thermocol products with effect from 15th July 2018.
• Prime Minister also remembered the victims of the Jallianwalan Bag massacre as the previous year on Baisakhi. It was the 100th year of that fateful day. (Massacre happened on 13th April 1919).
• Prime Minister made a major announcement displaying India’s progress in space missions. He declared that India would unfurl the Tricolor in space on the occasion of 76th Independence Day in 2022.
• Prime Minister congratulated all women members of INS Tarini. This Indian navy sailboat successfully travelled through the globe under the command of Lt. commander Vartika Joshi and five other women officers.
• PM announced the increase in the overdraft limit of Pradhan Mantri Jandhan Yojna from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10000.
• PM Modi also announced a permanent commission for women in the armed forces.

PM’s address to the Nation – 73rd Independence Day Celebrations

History of Independence Day of India

Indian subcontinent became a trading ground for British traders during the 17th century, who came to the subcontinent for trade mainly with Mughal Empires. Later, the company took control over a large part of the sub-continent, using its huge military strength. They established their local pickets/offices, deployed troops throughout the country during the 18th century, and took administrative control of all the existing kingdoms.

The Revolt of 1857: A great independence revolution was started by the people of India against British rule in 1857; however, it was only an outcome of centuries-old resentment against British imperialism. Indian Rebellion of 1857 is considered India’s first struggle for Independence, known by many names-“the Revolt of 1857”, “the Indian Mutiny”, “the Uprising of 1857,” and “the Sepoy Mutiny.” It was started by a sepoy of the 34^th Bengal Native Infantry, Mangal Pandey, against the British East India Company’s army at Bengal Presidency on the 10th of May in 1857.

The Revolt of 1857 was an effective rebellion after which several civil and political groups emerged throughout India. One of them and the most prominent was the Indian National Congress Party which was formed in 1885. This period of almost a century, from the revolt of 1857 to the Independence, saw many moments of struggles and rebellion against the oppressions of the British Empire.

Mahatma Gandhi Movements: The champion of all the movements was – the non-cooperation and civil disobedience movement started by Mahatma Gandhi. The former was started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 after the Jallianwalan Bag Massacre, while he started the latter in 1930 by conducting the Dandi Salt march against unjust taxes for the production of salt.

Purna Swaraj: In the meeting of the Indian National Congress in 1929 at Lahore, the proclamation of Purna Swaraj, or complete independence for India, was made. The 26th of January was declared Indian Independence Day between 1930 and 1947. The Indian National Congress requested Indian citizens follow civil disobedience and the timely instructions issued until the complete independence of India.

After World War II, in 1947 British government probably knew that it no longer could show its power over India. Moreover, they were facing resentment in their own land. Indian freedom fighters were continuously exerting pressure on the Empire which consequently decided to transfer Legislative Sovereignty to the Constituent Assembly of India on 15^th August 1947 by passing the Indian Independence Act 1947 in the UK Parliament.

However, King George VI was still retained as the Emperor of India until India transitioned into a complete Republic on the adoption of the Constitution of India. However, the joy of independence was spoiled by Hindu Muslim violence that emerged following the independence of India (on August 15, 1947) and the formation of Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the All India Muslim League became the first Governor General of Pakistan, while Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of independent India.

An official ceremony was held in the capital of country, Delhi, where all the great leaders and freedom fighters (Abul Kalam Azad, B. R. Ambedkar, Master Tara Singh, etc.) celebrated freedom. During the riots of the partition, millions of people from both sides died while people in other regions were celebrating Independence Day. Meanwhile, the second meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held at 11 pm on the 14th of August at Constitution Hall, New Delhi, under the leadership of president Rajendra Prasad where Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous speech titled “Tryst with the Destiny.”

Tryst with Destiny: At midnight on 15 August 1947, India was proclaimed an independent country by Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru when he gave his speech named “Tryst with Destiny.” During his speech, he said, “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time has come when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment 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. We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again.”

After that, all the Assembly members pledged to be loyal in offering their services to the country. A group of Indian women officially presented the national flag to the assembly. Finally, India officially became independent, and Nehru became India’s first prime minister. The Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, wasn’t involved in the celebrations as he was, at that time travelling through West Bengal, pacifying the riot victims and trying to establish peace between the communities. While the celebrations in Delhi were in progress, Gandhi stayed in Calcutta, marking Independence Day with his 24 hours fast to encourage peace between Hindus and Muslims.

Indian Independence Movements: Timeline

Rebellion of 1857: Mangal Pandey, Civil Rebellion, Rani Lakshmibai, Guerrilla Warfare led by Tatya Tope, etc.

Rise of Nationalist Movements in India 1867: Influence of socio-religious groups like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj; Rise of passion for rejuvenation and freedom, etc.

Rise of Indian nationalism (1885–1905): Swaraj, Ghadar Party, Temperance movement in India, etc.

Partition of the Province of Bengal 1905: Divide and rule, Boycott of British products under the banner of Swadeshi, Start of a violent revolutionary movement for Indian independence, etc.

All India Muslim League 1906: Reason why All India Muslim League was founded.

How First World War (Great War/Global War) Relates to Indian Independence Movements 1914 – 1918: Hindu-German Conspiracy, Christmas Day Plot, Ghadar Mutiny, Silk Letter Movement, Niedermayer-Hentig Expedition, and Defence of India Act 1915.

Response of Nationalists to the First World War: Effect of the influenza epidemic, Lucknow Pact, etc.

British Reforms 1919: Carrot and Stick Approach, Government of India Act, 1919

Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in India 1915: Rowlatt Satyagraha, Non-Violent Civil Disobedience, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Indian National Army, etc.

First Non-Co-operation Movement 1920 to 1922: Khilafat, Boycott, Chauri Chaura incident, Young India newspaper, Untouchables, etc.

Purna Swaraj Movement/Resolution 1929: Simon Commission, Gandhi-Irwin Pact

Lahore Resolution 1940: Lahore Resolution, Two Nation Theory, All India Azad Muslim Conference, etc.

Other Revolutionary Movements of Indian Independence: Anushilan Samiti, Ghadar Party, Hindustan Socialist Republican Army, Kakori train robbery, Inquilab Zindabad, etc.

Self-Rule Movement of India 1937: Azad Hind Fauj, Quit India Movement, Christmas Island Mutiny 1942 and Royal Indian Navy Revolt 1946, Impact of World War 2 (1939 to 1945) on Indian Independence, Sovereignty and partition of India

Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) 1942: All India Forward Bloc, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, etc.

Quit India Movement: Civil Disobedience, Do or Die, August Revolution Ground, etc.

Christmas Island Mutiny 1942

Royal Indian Navy Revolt 1946: Role in Indian Independence.

Impact of World War 2 (1939 to 1945) on Indian Independence: How Indian Independence Movement was affected by World War 2.

Sovereignty and partition of India 1947: The Republic of India, Partition of India, etc.

Independence Day Celebration

India’s Independence Day is celebrated all over the country as a National holiday in India. It is observed every year in every Indian state and union territory with great enthusiasm and fervor. The President of India gives a speech every year in order to “Address to the Nation” on the evening of a day before Independence Day. It is celebrated with big passion in the national Capital, where the prime minister of India hoists the Indian flag from the Red Fort, Delhi. After the flag hoisting, the National Anthem song is sung, and twenty-one gun shots are fired to salute and honour the Indian flag and the solemn occasion. 72nd Independence Day Celebration at Red Fort, Delhi. Students and Teachers sit in the manner to give a look at the Indian National Flag, and the white part is looking written ‘Bharat’.

The flag hoisting by the Prime Minister in the Red fort is simultaneously followed by flag hoisting in other parts of the country. Government offices, schools, colleges, and offices of private organizations all seem to be devotedly observing their independence by adorning tricolors, wearing traditional attire, and greeting one another. It is one of those very rare festivals that India celebrates together.

The prime minister of India highlights all the achievements of the past year, important social issues and solutions, further development in the country, educational matters, etc. during his speech on Independence Day, after paying tribute to the freedom fighter and leaders of the Indian independence movement who had sacrificed their lives. A grand march past takes place by the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary forces. The celebration of Independence Day takes place in different states with diverse cultural traditions where Chief Ministers of individual states hoist the national flag.

Flag hoisting is a mandatory ceremony for every public servant and public representative. The celebrations in Delhi are centered on Red Fort. After the flag hoisting and the speech of the Prime Minister, people could be seen surfing through several stalls selling flags, eatables, handicrafts, and other articles. Flag hoisting, playing of National Anthem, and parade ceremonies, including other cultural programs, take place in almost all the governmental and non-governmental institutions, educational institutions, and some private institutions all through the country. In the schools and colleges, the school or college principal hoists the national flag, and the students carry out parades and cultural events.

On this day, government offices, buildings, etc., are decorated with electric lights, flowers, and other decorative articles. The people use different sizes of national flags to symbolize faithfulness and commitment to the country. There is a big risk of terrorist attacks while celebrating Independence Day, especially in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu, and Kashmir. That’s why, a no-fly zone is declared around the Red Fort to prevent aerial attacks.

Additional police forces are positioned all over the cities for security reasons. Live broadcasting and webcasting is carried out by the media and government websites in order to provide live casting of the celebration of the event to the people all over the country. The people with family members also celebrate it, friends and neighbors, by going at dinner, picnic, park, garden, mall for shopping or seeing the film, etc. Some people do sing patriotic songs. On this day, kids of the home take a small flag in their hand and go outside by saying “Jai Hind”, “Jai Jawan, or Jai Kisan,” and other popular sayings.

Symbol and Significance of Independence Day in India

The kite flying sport in India symbolizes the Independence Day. The sky over India becomes full of countless kites (flown from rooftops) of various sizes, shapes, styles, and shades. Some of them are tricolored, symbolizing the Indian flag.

Another symbol of Independence Day is the Red Fort of New Delhi, where the first Indian Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, unfurled the Indian flag on the 15th of August in 1947. Independence Day of India reminds us of the sacrifices made by our forefathers, freedom fighters, and political leaders in order to free their motherland. It sends a message to the Indian masses that unity is their biggest weapon against any foreign invasion and that there is nothing to fear as long as we stay united.

Independence Day is celebrated to commemorate the freedom of India from British rule in 1947. 15th of August is the day of the re-birth of India. It was the day when Britishers left India and handed over the country to its leaders. It is the most significant day in the history of India and is celebrated every year with great enthusiasm by the Indian people.