WHEN INDIA AWAKED TO LIFE AND FREEDOM ON AUGUST 15TH

Independence day of any country is the day of glory, freedom and happiness. On august 15, 1947 India became a free nation and in memory of the freedom fighters, people pay rich tributes to them on this special occasion. India won freedom not only from the British but also from the local kings and became an independent democratic nation. It was a moment of realisation and fulfilment of human rights and dignity for the Indian citizen.

The British came to India for trade but took over the total administration of the country later on. The lack of proper administration in India and the animosity between the local kings helped in this intrusion by the British. The first struggle for the independence of India begun with the foundation of Indian National Congress in 1885. The return of Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi to India in 1915 after his 20 years of life in South Africa as a lawyer, empowered the Indian National Congress leading to the freedom of India.

In the road to the freedom of India, there were many tragic incidents. Many were imprisoned and hanged without any trial. One incident that people still keep in their mind is the Jallianwala Bagh incident where 379 people were killed and more than 1000 were injured by the troupes under general Dyer. Independence day came with the partition of India and Pakistan because of the difficulties of the population of Muslims and Hindus. Pakistan got freedom on 14^th August and India on 15^th August. The last Viceroy Lord Mountbatten transferred the power of freedom to the newly formed countries.

Even though the British rule in India was brutal, they also left us a few examples like the administrative skills and military discipline. Their rule also had a positive effect on the literacy and health care facilities of India. The rail transportation is another contribution of the British rule to India. Today India has the largest railway network in the world. Of course, the universal language English is another important contribution by them.

For every country, there is a set of rules and rituals on their independence day. In some countries, independence day is full of celebrations and in some other countries, it is full of prayers. In India, Independence day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremony and our great leaders and freedom fighters are remembered and honoured. The main attraction of independence day is the flag hoisting and salute at the Red Fort where the prime minister unfurls the flag and is saluted with guns. The speech by the prime minister and cultural program by the school children are the major highlights of this day in Red Fort. The sky of the nation will be painted with tricoloured kites and it is the most beautiful of all.

What the voice of independent India stands for?

Freedom is a gift from God to mankind. India has one of the most efficient democratic framework offering freedom and an aesthetic life for the citizens of India. We can experience the freedom only by upholding the four basic concepts of free India. They are:

Justice: Most contemporary theories gives more importance to justice. The concept of justice is different in different culture. In general, justice is a harmonious relationship between individuals with the right proportion in exchange between individuals and with the environment. Indian judiciary is to make sure that the government helps to create a social and economic environment under which the individual can lead a good life. Indian judiciary also helps to maintain a social condition in which all members of the society can lead a good life without fear of others.

Liberty: Liberty is a modern concept in which individual can lead a free life, enabling them to decide their actions with the responsibility in its consequences. In India, an individual can govern himself but at the same time he has the responsibility on his own actions. This concept enables the individuals in the society to enjoy the freedom while maintaining the social order and harmony of life.

Equality: Equality is a state of being equal in status, opportunities and rights. Equality ensures the individual to have equal rights under the law including the right to speech, security, property rights and voting. Social equality requires the lack of unjustified discrimination motivated by age, sex, religion or caste of the individual. Perfect equality is just a concept in any society and practically does not exist. This makes it necessary to have special reservation for backward classes and minority groups.

Fraternity: Fraternity in political view refers to the brotherhood of all citizens of India. As we see in the National Pledge of India, ‘All Indians are my brothers and sisters’ is the concept of fraternity. This concept ensures the aesthesis of social life with mutual sharing and support between the individuals.

Knowing what the voice of independent India stands for will help us to uphold the basic principles of the Indian democracy and act accordingly to make the best possible social situation where the beauty of life is preserved and social security ensured.

Independence day is an occasion for remembering the great Indian Patriots with whose courage, endurance and perseverance India became an independent country. Let us salute them on this special occasion and promise them to uphold the values of our country. Father of our nation, Mahatma Ghandi, Mangal Pandey, Sarojini Naidu, Gopal Krishna Gokhele and Jhansi of Rani are some of the great persons who worked hard for the freedom of India.

On August 15, 1947 our country became a free nation after 300 years of colonial rule. On 15^th morning our nation woke up breathing the air of freedom and the citizen of India enjoyed freedom of their life for the first time. From that moment, August 15 became a day of special significance and is celebrated with tricolour, patriotic songs and speeches and parade. On this colourful occasion let us not forget our responsibilities as the citizen of India. Let us salute our great nation and be proud of being an Indian.