Friday, August 10, 2012

15 August 2012 – Independence Day In India

15 August 2012 – Independence Day In India
15 August 2012 – Independence Day In India

India celebrates Independence Day on August 15 every year.So, this year also celebrates Independence day on 15 August 2012. The Independence Day of India, celebrated on 15 August, is a gazetted holiday commemorating India’s independence from the British government rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on 15 August 1947.

What Do People Do?

Independence Day is a day when people in India salute to those who fought for India’s freedom in the past years.Broadcast, print and online media may have special contests, programs, and articles to promote the day. Movies about India’s freedom fighters are also shown on television on every 15th August.

The president delivers the ‘”Message to the Nation” on this day. India’s prime minister unfurls India’s flag at the Red Fort in Dehli. Cultural programs are held in the state capitals and often involve many schools and organizations.Every people even kids enjoying a lot on this day.

The way of enjoyment of every people  on 15th August different.Many people spend their time with friends and other relatives.Some enjoy the songs, music on this day and much more.

Public Life

National, state and local government offices, post offices and banks are closed on 15th August.Public transport is usually unaffected as many locals travel for celebrations but there may be heavy traffic and increased security in areas where there are celebrations. Independence Day flag raising ceremonies may cause some disruption to traffic, particularly in Dehli and capital cities in India’s states.

Background

India was a very rich country in the 16th and 17th centuries as of its agricultural minerals and products. Western nations always needed to develop trade in this country and after lots of efforts French and Dutch and British were capable to launch the deal with India. Each of these countries established their trading business in India to conduct their own trades. The most powerful out of them is the East India Company which was established by British in Calcutta. With time pass, the British gain more power and influence and by the end of 19th century has India mostly under their colony.

In 1946, the Labour government in Britain, its exchequer exhausted by the recently concluded World War II, and conscious that it had neither the mandate at home, the international support, nor the reliability of native forces for continuing to control an increasingly restless India, decided to end British rule of India, and in early 1947 Britain announced its intention of transferring power no later than June 1948.

Finally, at the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, read out the famous “Tryst With Destiny” speech proclaiming India’s independence. India, now a smaller Union of India, became an independent country with official ceremonies taking place in New Delhi, and with Jawaharlal Nehru assuming the office of the first prime minister, and the viceroy, Louis Mountbatten, staying on as its first Governor General.

Symbols

The sport of kite flying symbolizes Independence Day. Kites of various styles, sizes and shades, including the tricolor are available in the marketplaces. The Red Fort in Dehli is also an important Independence Day symbol in India as it is where Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru unveiled India’s flag on August 15, 1947.

India’s national flag is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of the flag’s width to its length is two to three. A navy-blue wheel in the center of the white band represents the chakra. Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the white band’s width and it has 24 spokes.