Taking A Look Back At The Significance Of Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated in India on 15th of August as a national holiday. On this day, we commemorate independence of our country from the East India Company on 15th of August 1947. On this day, the parliament of UK passed the Independence Act that transferred the legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly. The head of state for India was still King George VI until there was a transition to full republican constitution. The independence was largely owed to the movements of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance by Indian National Congress (INC).

The independence also led to the bloody and disturbing partition of India into Dominions of India and Pakistan. There were multiple riots and mass casualties which continued for a long time after independence. There was displacement of nearly 15 million people due to religious violence. The first PM of India, Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian National flag above Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi in 1947 and this tradition has been going on since then. On Independence Day, incumbent PM raises the flag and addresses the nation.

The holiday is observed throughout the country and is followed by ceremonies, parades, cultural events etc. Many people sing the Indian national anthem Jana Gana Mana. There are programmes held in both governmental and non-governmental institutions.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(India)