On August 15, 1947 India awakened to a new dawn. It broke free from the shackles of British rule. The country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said in his historic speech in Parliament on that day: “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to  the n ew. . . I n d i a d i s c o v e r s herself again.” For us to breathe in free India our f o r e f a t h e r s struggled and one has heard the heroic tales of our freedom fighters who have laid down their lives from Rani Lakshmibai to Mahatma Gandhi. To them, independence meant tremendous effort coupled with unswerving determination to break free from the British rule.

One can make out that Independence Day is round the corner, when suddenly the shops are full of sale of flags and other memorabilia attached with the day. Some enthusiastic students pin up flags to their dress, while some others wear dress resembling the colours of the flag. For students, it is essential to attend Independence Day celebrations in school on August 15 where the national flag is hoisted.

They also learn about the country’s progress in various areas. In some schools, skits and poems reflecting the flavour of Independence is presented.All those who attend school are given c h o c o l a t e s and biscuits after the flag hoisting.

At important junctions and crossroads, homage is paid to freedom fighters and if you are passing  through these areas, then one can hear songs associated with freedom struggle at full blast. One of the songs played more often on these occasions is melody queen Lata Mangeshkar’s ‘Mere Veer Jawano ….’ Some of the songs leave you with moist eyes, when you pass these areas.On the eve of Independence Day, President of India addresses the nation on the achievements and future programmes of the Union government. On Independence Day, the PrimeMinister addresses the nation from the historic ramparts of Red Fort. Before his address, the premier pays his respects to the departed soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti near India Gate. Sometimes one is left wondering whether the streak of patriotism is missing in today’s generation. “Certainly not,” some students of a well-known college said in unison. “One doesn’t have to wear patriotism on the sleeve to prove that they are patriotic,” Suresh, a final year student of a commerce college said. “We have learnt a lot about the freedom struggle in our History classes at school and we are always thankful to them for our Indepedence,” Priya, a student of a girl’s college said. Echoing similar thoughts, Dhananjay, student of a public school said: “We have great respect for the nightingale of India Sarojini Naidu, Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and Shaheed Bhagat Singh.”

For many Independence Day means flying a kite. It denotes soaring into the sky to climb higher, higher and higher. The sky is dotted with all kinds of kites and in some cities the administration bans people from flying kites. Jaishri, who is bowled over by what Gandhiji has done, takes pride in enacting salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement at school functions. However, her friends prefer to watch movies like ‘Munnabhai Lage Raho’, ‘Border’ or ‘Gandhi’. On this day, every radio and TV channel plays patriotic songs catering to all ages.If at one end you have something from ‘Rang De Basanti’, then at the other end there would be something from ‘Border’.“Whatever anybody is doing anywhere, they stop everything and get up once they hear the tricolour has been hoisted or the National Anthem is being sung. This just goes to prove that the spirit of patriotism still exists. One should build this up and make it compulsory for all students to take part in the NCC for at least a period of three years. This will help during emergencies when one requires manpower,”said Akshay, a student of NCC.

Independent India still lacks basic facilities of water and shelter for all. However it is making strides. It has the capability to manufacture its own missiles and has created a name for itself even in space. India has achieved a lot through various programmes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act which assures 100 days of employment in a year in rural areas, the Right to Education, the Right to Information, 50 percent reservation for women in local bodies, protection and welfare of minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes etc., through scholarships and special programmes. All these have made a difference in the lives of the people.

Thanks to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the country stands among the fastest growing economies of the world. It emerged successfully from a drought like situation in 2009 and when the world faced global meltdown. Independence Day events are held in all State Capitals and are usually presided over by the concerned Chief Ministers. On this Independence Day, let us all take a pledge to protect our country from all enemies and also crush the evil in us. Let us come together and pay homage to the legends who died fighting for the country. Jai Hind!