The very concept of being an independent country where people have sovereign authority to choose their own path and destiny imposes a substantial responsibility on the shoulders of its people. As we are aware that India had been under British rule for almost 200 years until 1947, when the country finally got freedom after a long struggle, is still alive in every Indian's memory. Therefore, on this day, we do not just celebrate our independence but also give homage to all those who battled for it, those who had a passion for the nation, as well as those who devoted their lives for their motherland.
About Independence Day of India
The Indian Independence Day is celebrated on 15th August every year in order to remember the struggles the country went through before finally achieving its freedom from the Herculean rule of the British in 1947. After the UK Parliament approved the Indian Independence Act, 1947, handing legislative power to the Indian Constituent Assembly, India became the world's biggest democratic country. Independence Day also celebrates the occasion of the splitting of independent India, which was divided into two: India and Pakistan.
History of Indian Independence Day
The Indian Independence Day is a significant day in the history of the country. The partition of independent India into two nations caused violent outbreaks, protests and mass killings. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, which took place in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, ignited The Indian Independence Movement, which acquired impetus post First World War (1914). The Indian National Congress or INC, which was led by Mahatma Gandhi, along with the help of other political entities of the country, initiated a separatist movement, thereby rebelling against the repressive colonial rule of the British.
Following World War II (1939), the INC organised the Quit India Movement, whose main aim was to claim a stoppage to the British rule in the country. Post this movement, the British rulers were only motivated to arrest the major leading leaders, nationalists, ministers along with Mahatma Gandhi. Notwithstanding these arrests or penalties, numerous protests started to follow the aftermath of World War II. The then Viceroy of the country, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was allotted to divide undivided India until 1948, didn't succeed in doing so. Hence, as a result of the delay, the date was fast-forwarded by the British administration along with the intention to divide India based on religion, i.e. Hindu and Muslim. After a lot of struggles and oppositions, the Bill to divide India on the basis of religious lines was passed. The Indian National Congress reluctantly had to accept this decision. On the midnight of 14th August 1947, Pakistan was created with a Muslim majority. And on the next day, i.e. 15th August 1947, India, with a Hindu majority, achieved its independence from the British rule. This dividend policy of India led millions of people to leave their own homes and move to the bordered areas. Many people had to take shelter in refugee camps.
After the Partition, hostile reactions followed between the people of the two nations. The Partition took a very violent and harsh turn in Punjab, India, since Punjab's western province had to be divided into two regions. Many people lost their lives in the massacre post-partition. Mahatma Gandhi was also shot dead during this time by Nathuram Vinayak Godse when he was addressing a crowd in New Delhi on 30th January 1948.
India's Independence Day 2023 Date
-
When is India's Independence Day 2023?
The Indian Independence Day is celebrated on 15th August (Tuesday) every year.
-
India's Independence Day dates for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 Aug | Mon | Independence Day | National |
| 2023 | 15 Aug | Tue | Independence Day | National |
| 2024 | 15 Aug | Thu | Independence Day | National |
| 2025 | 15 Aug | Fri | Independence Day | National |
| 2026 | 15 Aug | Sat | Independence Day | National |
Independence Day Quotes
May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our country! – Sardar Bhagat Singh
Let new India arise out of peasants' cottage, grasping the plough, out of huts, cobbler and sweeper. -Swami Vivekananda
Forget not that the grossest crime is to compromise with injustice and wrong. Remember the eternal law: you must give, if you want to get. - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike she has never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength. -- Jawaharlal Nehru
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. - Jawaharlal Nehru
Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living? - Mahatma Gandhi.
A country's greatness lies in its undying ideals of love and sacrifice that inspire the mothers of the race. -- Sarojini Naidu
Democracy and socialism are means to an end, not the end itself.- Jawaharlal Nehru
Let new India arise out of peasants’ cottage, grasping the plough, out of huts, cobbler and sweeper. – Swami Vivekananda
Independence Day Wishes
Together we can win the world, together we can conquer our fear and together we can be a happy place. Happy Independence Day!
May the glory of Independence Day be with us forever. Here's wishing you a very happy Independence Day!
If I am given an opportunity to be born into this world again, I will again choose this great nation! Happy Independence Day! Jai Hindi!
Never forget the sacrifice of our freedom fighters who formed this country. Jai Hind!
Well someone said, god just made the nation we made castes, creeds, race, religion, wars, hatred and love. Hope this Independence is as democratic as we talk.
Let’s salute the martyrs for the sacrifices they made and thank them for giving us our freedom. Happy Independence Day 2023.
On this special day here’s wishing our dreams of a new tomorrow come true! May your Independence Day day be filled with patriotic spirit!
Independence Day Messages
Freedom is the way God intended us; it is something we are born with. Something that no one can take away from you. Let’s celebrate Freedom! Happy Independence Day.
Remember-- united we stand, divided we fall. Independence Day is a reminder for us that we all are Indians first. Happy Independence Day!
Independence Day is the time to rethink who we are and how we got here. Jai Hind!
The labor of our past leaders should not be in vain. Jai Hindi!
My love for my nation is boundless. My love for my people is endless. All I desire for my country is happiness. Let me be the first person to wish you a special Happy Independence Day!
We should not let anything divide the idea of India. Happy Independence Day!
Freedom in mind, Faith in our heart, Memories in our souls. Let’s salute the Nation on Independence Day!
Significance of Indian Independence Day
The significance of this day lies in the fact that it is not only a day of enjoying or celebrating our country's freedom from the colonial rule but also is noteworthy because it honours the heroism and zeal of the freedom fighters who risked their lives for the country's liberty from the British rule. After attaining independence and the situation coming to a standstill, India's first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag on 15th August 1947, at the Red Fort in New Delhi. Since then, this tradition has been upheld and followed till the present day where the Prime Minister, every year, on 15th August, hoists the national flag along with delivering a historic speech. The significance of this day remains incomplete without commemorating the Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre of Amritsar, Punjab, where thousands of people, including men, women and children, sacrificed their lives for India's independence on 13th April 1919.
How India's Independence Day is Celebrated?
The Independence Day is observed as a national holiday. Parades, flag hoisting and various cultural events are organised in various parts of the country. The government offices are decorated with tricolour lights. Private firms and institutions also hoist the flag and organise Independence Day events. In Delhi, tricolour kites are also flown. At Red Fort, The Navy, The Air Force and The Indian Army celebrate the day by participating in the parade.
The President of India delivers a speech 'addressing the nation' and hoists the flag. Different states of the country also participate in the cultural rally programme at the Red Fort. This whole programme is live-telecasted on the national television channels. Since it is a holiday, people take out their time to watch the parade either live or on the television.
Various schools, colleges, and universities organise different events to engage children and other students in those events and invoke a sense of patriotism in them. Children dress themselves in tricolour clothes to show their love towards the nation. They also dance to patriotic songs. Parents too enjoy watching their children perform on this day.
In different public and private institutions, the Principal or the Vice-Chancellor hoists the national flag early, followed by the national anthem and eatables. Rally races, marathons, slow-cycling races, etc are the common events organised in different country locations.
Even in this global pandemic year, people celebrated this auspicious day virtually. People celebrated it by preparing a tricolour themed cake, preparing authentic Indian dishes, playing Indian Independence Day themed Antakshari through video calls with friends and relatives, attending Prime Minister addressing the nation virtually, attending online Independence Day quiz and so on.
Some interesting facts about India's Independence Day:
- The National Anthem (Jana-Gana-Mana) that we sing on Independence Day was not accepted as the national anthem until 1950. Though it was written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911, India didn't have any national anthem sung on its first Independence Day.
- The borderline between India and Pakistan was drawn by Sir Cyrill Radcliffe. Hence it came to be known as the Radcliffe Line.
- Five other countries (Republic of Congo, Bahrain, North Korea, South Korea and Liechtenstein ( a country in Europe) celebrate their Independence Day on 15th August, alongwith India.
- India is the largest democratic country in the world.
- The saffron colour in our national flag represents bravery and sacrifice, the white colour represents truth, peace and purity. There is the Ashoka Chakra in the middle with 24 spikes. The bottom green colour of the flag signifies prosperity.
- Goa was still under the control of the Portuguese when India was freed from British rule. It was only in 1961 that it became a part of the Indian Union.
- Hindi was not the national/official language until 1949.
- The last state to become a part of the Indian Union was Hyderabad.
