INDEPENDENCE DAY(स्वतंत्रता दिवस), 2023

(Independence day 2023, India, ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh, “मेरी माटी मेरा देश“ independence, Vishwakarma Yojana, Vishwakarma Saathi, artisans, OBC, स्वतंत्रता, Savita Rani, Nursing Officer, Sarpanches of ‘Vibrant Villages’, teachers, fisherman, farmers, nurses, Haryana, Faridabad, President of India Droupadi Murmu, 15 August, 1947, British, Indian, National Flag, Kolkata, Parsee Bagan Square, Colonial rule, Bengal, national identity, 1921, Pingali Venkayya, red, yellow, green, lotus, Sister Nivedita, 1904, Karnataka Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha, जन भागीदारी, Dharwad, Karnataka, Pakistan, Emperor, King George VI, Governor General Lord Mountbatten, first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawharlal Nehru, New Delhi, British Field Marshall, Indian armed forces, Indian Judiciary, National Anthem, Jana-Gana-Mana, Rabindranath Tagore, 1911, Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata, Constituent Assembly, Narendra Modi, वसुधा वंदन , पंच प्राण, Red Fort, “Nation First, Always First”, Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav)

India achieved independence on 15^th August, 1947, which is also its first celebration of Independence Day. This day, which commemorates the end of British colonial authority in India, is a major date in its history. India will once more observe this landmark day on August 15th, 2023, acknowledging the sacrifices rendered in the past and applauding the accomplishments made toward an evolving tomorrow. The Indian fraternity collectively celebrates the spirit of unity, diversity, and resilience that defines India as the tricolor flag is raised throughout the country. It is a day when every Indian feels proud and humbled to celebrate the glory of this day. India will once again observe and celebrate its 77^th Independence Day on 15^th of August, 2023.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT INDEPENDENCE DAY:

Here are some interesting facts about our Independence Day-

NATIONAL FLAG:

On August 7, 1906, the Parsee Bagan Square in Kolkata (former Calcutta) hosted the first raising of the Indian flag. This incident was an episode of an uprising against the British imperial powers’ separation of Bengal. The flag’s design had red, yellow, and green horizontal stripes as well as eight lotuses, which stood in for the eight British Indian provinces. Although this early design of the flag was different from the current one, it still served as a significant milestone in the fight for independence and the affirmation of Indian national identity. It was in the year 1921, that Pingali Venkayya designed the current version of our National Flag. However, the design of the National Flag was crafted by Sister Nivedita in 1904. Another interesting fact about the National Flag is that it manufactured and distributed only by Karnataka Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KGSS), in Dharwad district of Karnataka.

The ‘Indian Flag Journey’ and its appearances from 1906-till today

REAL INDEPENDENCE:

India and Pakistan became separate dominions from 15^th August, 1947. This implies that both of these countries continued to show their allegiance to the Emperor, King George VI and Governor General Lord Mountbatten, India continued to do so until 1950 and while Pakistan followed this until 1956. Though these States were given autonomous powers but even then they had to bow before the King. The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawharlal Nehru held his office under the directives of the British Governor General and all other leaders swore in the name of British King. Not only this but the entire armed forces was commanded by a British field Marshall followed by appointment of Judges under Indian Judiciary. Hence the question arises- Was India really independent since 1947?

NATIONAL ANTHEM:

India’s official anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was earlier named as ‘Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata’. It was an original composition of Rabindranath Tagore composed in the year 1911. It became so popularized in the course of the freedom struggle that the Indian Constituent Assembly designated it as the ‘National Anthem of India’ on 24^th January, 1950.

https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/763227/1/cad_24-01-1950.pdf

RED FORT:

Every year on Independence Day, the Prime Minister of the Nation ‘hoists’ the Indian tricolor at Red Fort. This is so because firstly it was at Red Fort that the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, addressed the nation. Secondly, the Red Fort had witnessed some memorable battles of freedom and it had been an icon of perseverance. So as a mark of an end to colonial rule and the beginning of the journey of freedom, this site was chosen by Nehru for celebrating India’s independence. Since then the tradition has been continued further.

Please click on the link below for the written speech of Prime Minister Nehru on India’s first Independence Day (Hindi version): 

https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2021/sep/doc20219101.pdf

Please click on the link below for video speech of Prime Minister Nehru on India’s first Independence Day : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oljKFJUJs2c&list=PLqtVCj5iilH7VO-yhOJk08TDHVenjvEQ3&index=62

The first Prime Minister addressing the Nation on its first Independence Day from Red Fort, New Delhi

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS, 2023:

India will not see an exception in case of celebrations of its 77^th independence day in the upcoming 15, August, 2023. The massive celebrations will be organized at the Red Fort, New Delhi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take the honour to hoist the National Flag. Preparations are on full swing and arrangements have already been made for the general public as well as media houses to relive this golden page of history.

Chief Guests for Independence Day 2023 celebrations:

This year Independence Day will witness the presence of people from different walks of life. Some special invitees are-

1. Sarpanches of ‘Vibrant Villages’, teachers, nurses, farmers and fisherman are amongst special guests of Independence Day celebrations 2023.
2. 3 nurses from Haryana are being invited.
3. Savita Rani, Nursing Officer, who works at Blood Bank of Badshah Khan Civil Hospital, Faridabad is also amongst those invitees. She was also being previously felicitated by President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu for her outstanding work during COVID-19 pandemic. She was honoured on ‘Nursing Day’ for her achievement.

These invitations are in line with a significant ideology ‘Jan Bhagidaari’ of this year’s independence day. It is significant to note that the Prime Minister made a remarkable announcement for the launch of Vishwakarma Yojana “a scheme to empower skilled artisans/ Vishwakarma Saathis and enable them to be future entrepreneurs”.

Independence day 2023, celebrations in Assam:

The Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma recently announced the upcoming celebrations to be observed on the day of independence in Assam. Those were-

1. Marking ‘Swatantrata’ (independence) with ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (people’s participation).
2. Following Hon’ble Prime Minister’s clarion call of celebrating this year’s Independence Day with the theme of ‘Meri Mati, Mera Desh’ (My Land, My Nation’
3. 2642 Panchayats/ULBs have already started constructing ‘Silaphalakam‘ as a mark of respect to our brave fighters.
4. Bravehearts in 2202 villages have been identified to be honoured on the special day.
5. 2506 ‘Vasudha Vandan’ has already begun across the State.
6. ‘Panch Pran’ pledge is being taken in districts and over 16000 veers have been identified to be honoured.
7. A total of 2,618 sites have been identified for ‘Rashtragaan’ (National Anthem) and flag hoisting.
8. All Government departments and officials will be participating in this magnificent occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

You may read:

Breaking News: The Latest Updates on Dearness Allowance That You Can’t Afford to miss!