A GREAT TRIBUTE TO NATION

SAFFRON EMBODIES COURAGE, SACRIFICE, THE SPIRIT OF RENUNCIATION

WHITE SYMBOLIZES UNITY, PURITY, PEACE. LIGHT, THE PATH OF TRUTH TO GUIDE OUR CONDUCT

GREEN REPRESENTS FERTILITY PROSPERITY OF THE LAND.

THE ~CHAKRA IS THE SYMBOL OF LAW AND PROGRESS, IT DENOTES MOTIONu REPRESENTS THE DYNAMISM OF A PEACEFUL CHANGE. THE 24 SPOKES SYMBOLIZE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF THE DAY.}

Independence Day
Independence Day of India is celebrated on Fifteenth of August to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation in 1947. The day is a national holiday in India. All over the country, flag-hoisting ceremonies are conducted by the local administration in attendance. The main event takes place in New Delhi, the capital city of India, where the Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally televised speech from its ramparts. This is telecasted live on the National Channel Doordarshan and many other News Channels all over India. The Prime Minister also pays his tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the state capitals. Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hoisting ceremonies and various cultural events within their premises, where younger children in costume do impersonations of their favourite characters of the Independence era.

History
At the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, read out the famous speech proclaiming India's independence. The moment ended three centuries of British colonial rule. Independence was also the end of nearly a century of struggle for freedom, battles, betrayals and sacrifices. It also created a situation where we were responsible for ourselves. But it wasn't a period of unqualified joy. For a lot of people, in spite of a new era promised by independence, partition was a painful reality and so was the bloodshed that accompanied it. That was 60 years ago. Much has changed; the struggle for freedom lives on in history books and memoirs, and on the tombstones of valiant martyrs. Karma drives the nation on its way forward, and population has crossed the billion mark. But, come August 15, and the people put their troubles behind them for a while, as they stand up as a nation for the National Anthem. Along with the soaring cadences of the anthem, the hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow are renewed. Independence Day is an occasion to rejoice in our freedom and to pay collective homage to all those people who sacrificed their lives to the cause. It also marks the coming together of more than 400 princely states into one nation - India. Each year, August 15 gives us the reason to celebrate all this, and do much more.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies are executed all over India by state governments. However, the chief event is conducted in the capital city of India, New Delhi where the Prime Minister of India unfurls the tricolor at the barricades of Red Fort which receives a salutation of 21 guns, and addresses the nation with his speech. The Prime Minister s speech holds major importance as it pays tribute to the great souls who sacrificed their lives for nation s independence and reveals the achievements of the nation during the past year beside discussing significant issues and proposing steps for further growth. A vibrant parade exhibiting India s cultural multiplicity, emblematic portrayals of the nation s developments in science and technology, a collaborative parade of India s armed competencies by the three forces and patriotic skits and dramas by school children are an integral part of the Independence Day festivities. On this day the skyline of the capital city gets sprinkled with innumerable multicolored kites. People indulge in kite flying competitions and children cheer aloud elevating the spirit of the day.

Freedom Fighters

Significance of Independence Day

The significance of the Independence Day in the existence of a nation is of greater value. The day is much more than merely celebrating the anniversary of India s free statehood. On this day India attained a major part of Asian subcontinent s 562 extensively spread territories besides British owned states.15th August 1947 symbolizes the victory of Indian patriotism which the nation got after uncertain yet brutal struggle from the repression of the British colonialism. Men and women from all over India joined hands and fought for India s freedom. However, praise wasn t what they desired for. It was the dream of free and autonomous India which motivated them to walk the path of struggle unselfishly. They battled for India and Indians. At the time of growing communal and caste conflicts, it becomes significant to remind us that the people who laid the foundation of free India has always dreamt of an integrated nation. Hence, it is our duty to live and sustain their dreams, the sole reason for which Independence Day is observed. It is a day to pay a mark of respect to our saviors because of whom we are breathing an air of freedom which does not have the elements of exploitation and repression.

Poems
Lest We Forget
Fireworks and cookouts And time spent with friends. Swimming and playing The good times never end. But lest we forget The reason for today Lets all say it now Happy Independence Day!

O Flag of our Union

O flag of our Union, To you we'll be true, The emblem of freedom, The symbol of right, We children salute you, O flag fair and bright!

Honor Our Military A Nation Free

Today is a time for fireworks and fun But we shouldnt forget its reason. This is one of the most important days of the entire summer season. Todays the day our nation became free and the date of the countrys birth. For so many years we have grown to be one of the best countries on earth. Lets honor our military, The men and women who serve, Whose dedication to our country Does not falter, halt or swerve. Lets support and defend our soldiers, Whose hardships are brutal and cruel, Whose discipline we cant imagine, Who follow each order and rule. Theyre fighting for India values; Theyre fighting for me and you.

Quotes
Where liberty dwells, there is my country." - Benjamin Franklin "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people Abraham Lincoln "You give me your blood and I will give you Independence! - 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 "How can one be compelled to accept slavery? I simply refuse to do the master's bidding. He may torture me, break my bones to atoms and even kill me. He will then have my dead body, not my obedience. Ultimately, therefore, it is I who am the victor and not he, for he has failed in getting me to do what he wanted done. - Mahatma Gandhi

INDIAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT

The Indian independence movement was a movement from 1857 (in many cases, even predating 1857) until August 15, 1947, when India got independence from the British Raj. The movement involved many political and social organizations and armed and unarmed struggle. Many political ideas also added to the movement. Perhaps the most famous person in it was Mohandas Gandhi. India's First War of Independence was a major event in the history of modern India. The United Kingdom started ruling India directly through its representative called the Viceroy of India. In the the period after India's First War of Independence, many leaders emerged at the national and provincial levels, and the Indians became more aware of their rights. They included men like Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Sri Aurobindo, Subramanya Bharathy, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Rabindranath Tagore and Dadabhai Naoroji. They spread the message of self-confidence, removing of social evils, and making India free from domination of foreign power. On 3rd June 1947, Lord Louis Mounbatten announced partition of India into two countries: union of India, and an Islamic Pakistan. In this partition many people died and got separated from their families. On midnight of 14th August 1947, India became an independent country, and still is today. On 26th January 1950, India adopted a constitution.

Pledge
India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country. I am proud of its rich and varied heritage. I shall always strive to be worthy of it. I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders, respect, and treat everyone with courtesy. To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion. In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness.

Proud To Be Indian
India is full of talent, intelligence and creativity. There have been many stars in the galaxy of India, contributing a lot to this universe. Here is the glimpse of ancient India, which surely make every Indian proud for his motherland. Every Indian should work hard with honesty and sincerity towards the goal and help the country to regain its shinning position

THANK YOU