It has been 70 years since a giant nation took its first infant steps towards becoming a secular and democratic country. After nearly two centuries—the East India Company ruled from 1757 to 1858 and the British Raj lasted from 1858 to 1947—India gained independence from the mighty British Empire.
Over the years, under the leadership of Prime Ministers such as Jawarharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, India has grown into the largest democratic country in the world. The midnight of August 15, 1947, holds a special place for Indians and more so for the ones living away from the land they called home while growing up. Since the day the tri-colour was first hoisted, Independence Day is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety across the country with national and local parades and flag hoisting ceremonies as we remember the ones who selflessly gave up their lives for generations to come.
Although times have changed, with so many Indians venturing out of their home country, the day still holds the same significance as it did 70 years ago. Celebrations have crossed the borders of India and extended to every Indian community across the world.
Like every year, Kiwi-Indians will be observing the Indian Independence Day in New Zealand. The High Commission of India in Wellington will be hoisting the national flag, which will be followed by a reading of Indian President’s message at Bharat Bhavan, 48 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie where all Indians, persons of Indian origin and their friends can assemble at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, August 15.
In Auckland, Indians can gather at Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan at Onehunga for a flag hoisting ceremony to be held on Saturday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m. by Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust. The ceremony will be followed by a cultural programme starting at 11:15 a.m.
Lord Mountbatten with Jawahar Lal Nehru
The date, August 15, was chosen by Lord Mountbatten because it also marked the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allied Forces. August 15 also marks independence day of North Korea, South Korea, Bahrain and Republic of the Congo.
Rabindranath Tagore
There was no national anthem when India became independent on August 15, 1947. The Bengali version of Jana Gana Mana was, however, written in 1911, but was not regarded as the national anthem.
It was said that Rabindranath Tagore actually dedicated ‘Jana Gana Mana’ to the British Monarch. But refuting the controversy, Tagore later said that the song was written on his friend’s request and celebrates the victory of Bhagya Vidhata (fortune creator) of India and not of King George V.
The flag production unit
Pingali Venkayya of Bezawada (now Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh) made the first version of the current national flag in 1921. Made up of red and green colour, it represented two major communities. Later on, Mahatma Gandhi suggested adding white strip and charkha or spinning wheel in order to represent the remaining communities and to symbolise progress of the country.
Not many people know that khadi or hand-spun cloth is the only type of fabric allowed to be used for the flag. The Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission is the only licensed flag production and supply unit in India. Cotton, wool and silk are the only materials allowed to be used as raw material for khadi. Flying a flag made of materials other than khadi is a punishable offence and could lead to three years in jail and a fine.
After India’s independence, Portugal, amending their constitution, declared Goa as a Portuguese state. It was in December 1961 that Indian troops invaded and took over Goa.
According to the records, after India-Pakistan division in 1947, Jammu and Kashmir would have gone to Pakistan, had they not sent their men to attack and occupy the state. Mountbatten had said, “By sending its irregular troops into the state, Pakistan spoiled the whole thing.”
As many believe, Hindi is not India’s national language, but the official language. It was declared the official language on September 14, 1949. According to the Constitution of India, Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of India.
Independent India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort and addressed the nation 17 times during his term.
For his dressing style and the popular ‘Nehru jacket’, Nehru was featured in Vogue magazine. The single-breasted jacket developed a fashion trend in the West. Apart from being listed in Time list fo ‘global fashion statement’, the Nehru jacket was sported by celebrities such as Beatles, Johny Carson, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Freedom fighter Bhagat Singh had great command on various spoken and written languages including English, French, Swedish and Arabic apart from Hindi, Punjabi and Multani, which allowed him to easily study great philosophers and thinkers.