Reminescences- 15th August 1947 -Indian Independance

[Guest guest]

India celebrates its 56th Anniversary of Indian Independence on 15th Aug 2003.

Let us not forget the True martyrs who laid down their lives for the freedom of our country.The courage and the devotion of the freedom fighters towards their motherland is the living spirit of India that has been passed on through the generations. This indomitable spirit still burns brightly in the hearts of all the Indians. The living spirit India manifests itself whenever the country calls upon her sons for protection and defence. Even after Independence the ensuing battles, to uphold the sovereignty of the country, have seen heroic martyrs who've answered the call of their mother land with their lives. The living spirit of India is therefore, immortal

Reminescences - 15th August 1947 , The First day of Indian Independence.

Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. 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 new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance .... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again." - Jawaharlal Nehru (Speech on Indian Independence Day, 15th August 1947)

The day when India woke up to freedom back in 1947 was a day of great celebration. A country got rid of her foreign yoke and became a sovereign nation, she celebrated her sovereignty on this day - the triumph of numerous martyred souls. It was a day of fulfillment, it was the day of a new beginning, a birth of a nation.

On the stroke of midnight, a country came into life again as the British handed over the governance of India to the Indian leaders. The long and difficult struggle had borne fruit at last, though the happiness was marred by the fact that the country was divided into India and Pakistan and the violent communal riots had left the countries permanently scarred. That was the price that India paid for her dearly bought freedom. The British government declared the country independent and left for their own shores. On the 15th of August, 1947, India became completely independent. It was on this historic date that Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime Minister of India, unfurled the Indian tricolor on the ramparts the magnificent Red Fort, symbolically marking the end of the British colonial rule.

History of the freedom Movement

1857The Revolt of 1857 shook the very foundation of the British rule in India. In March 1857, the Indian army at Barrackpore mutinied and this rebellion spread to the other areas to become a bid for Indian independence.The revolt proved a turning point in India's history though it was suppressed by the British. It was the first serious attempt of a large section of the country to throw off the British yoke. The uprising was _expression of widespread discontent with and anger towards the British rule.After the revolt the British parliament took over the entire responsibility of governing India.

1929Mahatma Gandhi led the civil Disobedience Movement which was launched in the Congress Session of December 1929. The aim of this movement was a complete disobedience of the orders of the British Government. It during this movement that it was decided that India would celebrate 26th January as Independence day all over the country. On 26th January 1930 meetings were held all over the country and the Congress tricolour was hoisted .

1942We shall either free India or die in the attempt; We shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery" - Mahatma Gandhi ( Quit India Movement) The Congress passed the famous Quit India resolution at a session in Bombay. The movement called for non-violent but wide spread struggle for India's freedom. But before the Congress could start the movement, the government arrested all the major leaders and the Congress was declared illegal. Spontaneous popular revolts broke out through out the country with the battle cry of 'British Quit India'Indian National Congress

In 1885, the Indian National Congress was formed under the guidance of Allen Octavian Hume. The INC became the the chief organization representing the will of the common people and led the Indians in their struggle for freedom. Under the presidentship of Womesh Chandra Banerjee, the Congress held it's first meeting in December 1885 at Bombay. After that, the Congress held the succeeding meetings every year in December in the different parts of the country. The congress initially followed the strategy of Petition, Pray and Protest. It highlighted the need for giving Indians greater power in legislative councils and 'to check the Drain of wealth' - a theory which was put forward by Dadabhai Naoroji.

Rani Laxmi Bai.She symbolizes the bravery of Indian women and their sacrifice for the country. She led her troops to battle against the British in the Revolt of 1857. One of the first women martyrs of the country.

 

National Emblem of IndiaThe National Emblem India has been adopted from the Sarnath pillar of Ashoka. The Lion Capital with the four lions facing in four different directions standing upon an abacus. The abacus carries carvings of four different animals - an elephant, a horse, a bull and a lion separated by the four dharmachakras, wheels with 24 spokes.Below the abacus is the line - Satya Meva JayateThe words 'Satyameva Jayate' have been taken from Mundaka Upanishad, and it means 'Truth Alone Triumphs'.National animal - Tiger, National flower - Lotus, National bird - peacock.

The Indian Tricolour.The Indian flag is rectangular in shape made up of three horizontal breadths of different colours - Saffron, White and Green. The Saffron stands for courage nad sacrifice, White for purity and Green for fertility. There is a wheel with 24 spokes in the middle of the white coloured part of the flag. The wheel represents the Dharma Chakra.

National Anthem of India. Jana-Gana-Mana-Adhinayaka, Jaya He Bharata-Bhagya-VidhataPunjab-Sindhu-Gujarata-Maratha- Dravida-Utkala-BangaVindhya-Hinachala -Yamuna-GangaUcchhala -Jaladi TarangaTava Subha Name JageTava Subha Ashisha MageGaya Tava Jaya Gatha. Jana-Gana-Mangala Dayaka, Jaya HeBhatara-Bhagya-Vidatha, Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya He.

 

Vande Mataram!! Vande Mataram!! Vande Mataram!!

Thai Manne Vanakkam!!! Thai Manne Vanakkam

Maa Tujhe Salaam!!! Maa Tujhe Salaam!!!

I love my India !! , I love my India !!

 

Happy Independence day - 15th Aug 2003

Regards

Hema

 

 

[Guest guest]

Friends:

Nice to see a timely note on our 'Independency Day' celebration.

I have been living in USA and I did not feel the greatness of India as 'that

great' when I was living in India. But as I am now living outside India, I could

definitely feel the 'greatness' of India. I felt that way in a few days I landed

in USA. 'Nilalin arumai veyyilil therium'.(you will feel what

shadow means when you are in the hot sun). There is 'something' which makes us

feel that way among all Indians living in USA or elsewhere outside of India. If

only our Indian Politicians find time to really concentrate on India's

development rather than provoking 'strikes' and 'violence' and provide basic

living amenities, probably Bill Gates will think of migrating to India.

Best wishes during the Independence Day celebrations.

Bansidar, California, USA

 

 

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