“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." These were the ever famous words of the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, 68 years ago on August 15, as he spoke of India’s “tryst with destiny” and the time to “redeem our pledge”.
Indian fight for freedom was a much longer and painful than that of many other countries. Independence Day of India has a different meaning for different people of Indian origin living worldwide. It is an emotional and sensitive subject for many particularly the older (my) generation.
They would tell you about the sacrifices made by our ancestors and freedom fighters since 1856 to gain freedom from the British and you would also hear on the painful partition saga of 1947 when the Indian subcontinent was partitioned, India was split into two separate countries - the secular state of India, dominated by Hindus, and the Muslim state - Pakistan. You would hear how the British hastily and arbitrarily divided India along religious lines forcing the largest mass migration in human history while leaving behind their former colony. Millions of people were forced to leave their homes because of religious/ communal violence. Severe rioting and population movement ensued and an estimated half a million people were killed. About a million people were left homeless.
That was a time when our ancestors had fought for our existence and survival, our right to live with dignity and heads held high, our freedom where we create our own destiny.
Let’s look at India today; how far the nation has come from 15th Aug 1947? With 1.27 billion population, of which 835 million can vote, today India is the world's largest democracy and emerged as a major power in the 1990s. India is now considered as one of the most advanced countries in the world, it launches its own satellites and in 2008 sent its first spacecraft to the moon.
It is amongst the strongest in the world - militarily, has major cultural influence and a fast-growing and powerful economy which is projected to overtake the US as the world’s second largest economy by 2050 in PPP terms. India is now the largest Milk producer in the world, it was behind the European Union till last year but now with 132.4m tonnes production in 2014. According to International Monetary Fund director Christine Lagarde, India could outpace China as the world's fastest growing economy as soon as this year. The country's economy is expected to grow 7.5% in the upcoming 2015-2016 fiscal year, which begins in April, up from 7.2% in the current fiscal year. At that rate, India would be the world's fastest growing large economy.
India is one of the world's oldest civilizations, yet a very young nation. India is not a typical emerging market economy. It is a very specific talent market and Indian economy operates totally differently from any other emerging market or global growth economy. India is the solution to supply an aging world with a highly literate, English speaking and very driven young workforce.
More than half of India's 1.25 billion population is below the age of 25, with 12 million Indians entering the workforce every year. The Indian Government and local industry is working on a target of skills development for 500 million Indians by 2022.
With exponential growth also come challenges including social, law and order, economic and environmental problems. Be it first world or third world, it is no different than other countries in the world dealing with their own similar problems and turmoil. On comparison, a country of mammoth size like India that houses 1/6th of world’s population and a size of entire Europe may not be as alarming as being portrayed in today’s so-called social media by every Tom, Dick and Harry.
India’s Independence Day is more than a day to celebrate the success of our democracy. It’s truly a time for the Indians worldwide to reflect and take pride in who we are. We have brought this country so far and yet so close to what our forefathers had dreamed it to be. Let’s salute our ancestors, freedom fighters, scientists, leaders and the very people who contributed to the success of India. Take pride in telling our next generations on their proud roots and pass on these values to them. JAI HIND.
Sunny Kaushal is one of the senior activists and an active member in Kiwi Indian community. He was the Labour Party Candidate in General Election 2011 and 2014.
Prime Minister John Key
Namaste aur shubh kamanae.
I would like to wish you all the best for the 69th India Independence Day.
The annual celebrations are an opportunity for Indian New Zealanders to recognise this important event in India’s history. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the long-standing and broad relationship New Zealand and India have.
As Prime Minister, I value the contributions Indian New Zealanders make to the overall success of our country.
New Zealand is lucky to have a vibrant and diverse ethnic culture, and our Indian communities play an integral part in that.
Alongside National MPs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar, we are committed to ensuring the voice of the Indian community is heard, and we are working hard for families nationwide.
I hope you enjoy the celebrations.
Best wishes
Rt Hon John Key
PRIME MINISTER
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Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
List MP, National Party
I take this opportunity to wish my Indian brothers and sister happy 69th Indian Independence Day. The Indian Independence Day signifies years of struggle by our countrymen and women who stood for their beliefs and values. It also signifies that if we can stand together to achieve a common goal the victory will be ours. We should continue to keep these core beliefs and values in our minds regardless of where we choose live.
I feel that I am fortunate to be born in a country that has produced men and women of outstanding calibre. It is our attitude to stand in the face of adversity that makes India and its citizens unique. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was one leading example of such outstanding calibre and humble attitude.
People of Indian origin continue to make their mark across the globe through their efforts. The Indian Weekender has because of its management and team managed to create a special place amongst its readers.
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Dr Parmjeet Parmar MP
List MP, National Party
My hearty congratulations to the Government of India, Indian High Commission to New Zealand and the Indian community in New Zealand and all around the world, on the joyous occasion of India’s Independence Day anniversary.
As an Indian-born New Zealander, I am very proud of the progress that India has made since its independence. The credit goes to those courageous men and women who made India an Independent country back in 1947. I pay homage to those millions of people who fought for India’s Independence, for if they didn’t, our growth as a nation and ethnicity would not be where it is today.
While we celebrate our vibrant culture, heritage and aspirations during Independence Day festivities, I commend the Indian community in New Zealand for preserving the culture and heritage.
As part of India’s Independence Day celebrations all around New Zealand, I am looking forward to the Indian Weekender’s special issue on India’s Independence Day celebrations. I congratulate the management and staff of the Indian Weekender for serving the needs of the Indian community in Auckland.
India holds a strong cultural presence in New Zealand with a vibrant community of New Zealanders of Indian Heritage. Indians comprise almost four percent of New Zealand's population, and this percentage is growing quickly. The strong Indian cultural presence can also be attributed to the record numbers of Indians travelling to New Zealand as New Zealand is a very desirable holiday destination for many Indians.
I thank each and every member of the community helping build ties between our two great countries- whether through business, trade, education culture or family ties. All these activities play an important part in strengthening the relationship between our two countries.
While we enjoy the festivities, let’s take this opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can achieve by working together. I hope you have a great day with family friends and the community celebrating this occasion and happy independence anniversary day!
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Andrew Little
Labour Party Leader
Namaste!
History was made 69 years ago when India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate in Delhi for the first time.
Indian independence was won with a campaign of largely non-violent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress. It was a remarkable achievement in the bloody post-war de-construction of Colonialism.
In modern New Zealand, the Indian community adds to the rich diversity of our society. They are visible entrepreneurial leaders in our small and medium businesses and are prominent in various other sectors of New Zealand society such as health, politics, sports and the arts.
This community is New Zealand’s fastest growing Kiwi ethnic group with over 186,100 people of Indian descent now living here.
India is New Zealand’s main supplier of skilled migrants and the number of international students from India has also increased steadily for the last few years.
Labour has always valued the colour and richness of our Indian communities. Helen Clark’s Labour Government established the Office of Ethnic Affairs (OEA) and appointed Ministers of Ethnic Affairs to ensure, for the first time, that immigrant perspectives were considered in policy.
Today I offer my congratulations to India on this momentous day. India and New Zealand share a longstanding and warm relationship. We are both members of the Commonwealth and share a love of both mountaineering and cricket!
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Phil Goff
MP, Labour Party
Congratulations to the people and Government of India and to the New Zealand Indian community on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence Day.
While India measures its age as a modern independent state as 69 years, Indian civilisation is one of the world's oldest going back over five thousand years.
Over the last half century, Indian migrants to New Zealand have added richly to our cultural tapestry. We thank you for bringing to this country the gift of your rich and diverse culture and history, your hard work and strong values.
While India and New Zealand differ vastly in size, we share a common commitment to democracy, membership of the Commonwealth and a great love of cricket!
Migration and strong people-to-people links have contributed much to the strength and warmth of the New Zealand-India relationship.
India has many challenges ahead of it, but also much to celebrate as the most populous and one of the most diverse nations in the world, which has preserved its democracy, its unity and its culture, and which is fast emerging as a modern and prosperous nation.
On this day of celebration for India, I congratulate it for its past achievements and wish it well for the future.
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David Shearer
MP, Labour Party
It’s always a meaningful moment when the Prime Minister of India gives his Independence Day speech and raises the saffron, white and green flag.
It recalls that iconic moment in 1947 when the first Prime Minister of India, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, raised the flag high above the Lahore Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi in 1947.
That symbolic act remains one of the most memorable in recent world history. Courage, sacrifice, peace, truth, faith and chivalry are some of the values represented by that flag, and they have stood the test of time.
As such, it’s a meaningful month for the Indian community both in New Zealand and around the world: the 69th anniversary of India’s independence.
Our thoughts also turn to next year, when it will be an auspicious 70 years since India’s coming of age. Celebrations for that milestone are already well underway in India and around the world.
The 15th August is also a time to reflect on the non-violent Indian freedom movement, under the stewardship of Mahatma Gandhi. His work in India continues to inspire movements for freedom and human rights across the globe.
So much has been achieved in India since those days, and I’m looking forward to joining with you to celebrate the success of the world’s largest democracy.
The next challenge for India will be reducing the discrepancies between rich and poor.
Meanwhile in New Zealand, Indian Independence Day reminds us to reflect on the Indian New Zealand community and its rich contribution to our economic, social and cultural life.
The trade relationship between India and New Zealand continues to flourish as we negotiate towards a Free Trade Agreement that will deliver benefits to both countries.
At the same time, the New Zealand India Research Institute at Victoria University is going from strength to strength, involving nearly 40 academics from five New Zealand universities in research on India and New Zealand-India relations.
This is a celebration of nationhood for Indians, New Zealanders, and Indian New Zealanders. Happy Indian Independence Day to us all.
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Priyanca Radhakrishnan
Labour Party
It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the country of my birth and fellow New Zealanders of Indian origin on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence Day. Today we pay tribute to those who struggled to achieve independence for India. We respect the men and women who held onto their principles and led the freedom movement from North to South, East to West.
We also celebrate our vibrant cultures, our commitment to democracy and India’s historical contributions to the fields of arts, science, mathematics, medicine and philosophy.
We celebrate the successes of Indian diaspora communities across the globe.
And we stand proud as New Zealanders of Indian origin who continue to play a significant part in the rich social fabric of this nation.
We are a community that has called New Zealand home since the late 18th century, overcome many struggles over the years, and grown in diversity in the recent past. My vision for the New Zealand Indian community is one of solidarity as we overcome future hurdles together and also celebrate our achievements across the various walks of life that contribute to New Zealand’s success.
Kia kaha and Vande Mataram!
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Mahesh Bindra
MP, NZ First
It is my absolute pleasure to write on behalf of New Zealand First in support of the Independence Day celebrations for India – the world’s largest democracy.
This is a very special day in the calendar for Indians all over the world and especially for us here in New Zealand. I am looking forward to joining with you as a Kiwi Indian and representing New Zealand First in the festivities in both Auckland and Wellington. Indian diaspora have come a long way and New Zealand First salutes your contribution to the New Zealand economy, business and culture.
Jai Hind!
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Chirag, Rupal and Siddhraj Sinh Solanki
Let us not take our independence for granted. Let us do our bit to make India a better place; a legacy to live for and to die for. Happy Independence Day. Jai Hind and God bless.
Atul Kumar
Independence is a perception of mind and a feeling understood by an individual. To me, it is a feeling of pride, joy and happiness that has been given to me by the freedom fighters. It invokes the desire of attending the flag hosting ceremony at sunrise. The day is not about listening to patriotic songs and shouting Jai Hind, it is a day to look back and evaluate our deeds and what we have done to cherish the luxury of freedom we are born with.
Arishma Narayan, Fiji Indian Studying in India
Looking back at the history of India, Independence Day for an Indian means a lot. It means freedom, liberation, patriotism and self-dependence. It is their pride. Most importantly, it is the sweet fruit they gained after a hard long struggle.
Abhi Tayade
Independence is freedom of choice without harming others; freedom of religion, careers and sexuality¬–as long as your freedom does not interfere with others. That is what independence really is. For the most part, we have total freedom and that freedom must remain within everything.
Rahul Das
Let us honour the patriotism of the people who gave their lives to free India. Always keep the spirit of patriotism glowing within you. I am proud to be an Indian. Happy Independence Day.
Debbie Sharma
Independence Day is a day of pride and joy and a feeling of appreciation to thousands who gave their lives for the freedom of our country. It is a day when we remember the patriotism of such brave souls who gave us a free India. I am proud to be a part of this amazing nation and looking forward to the possibility of a completely new India.
Hrilina Sabharwal
Wishing all Indians a very happy Independence Day. This day cannot be celebrated without paying our deepest respect to all those who lost their lives and made endless sacrifices for our nation. India is definitely a work in progress, and I am sure with honest leadership our country will mark a significant place in the world.
Natasha Iyer
I have been fortunate to grow up with a level of freedom denied to many, and I am most grateful for it and part of it is undeniably because of the vision of our ancestors. Independence Day to me means to live so far away from home but still be every bit Indian and swell with pride when I hear the national anthem.
Selina Nihalani
I come from an army background. My paternal grandfather was a Lieutenant Colonel and my maternal grandfather was a civilian working for the army. I respect and feel grateful for all who fought and continue to fight to keep India free and safe. Their service and sacrifice provide the freedom that I exercise today. Since independence, India has come a long way. Nonetheless, there are still people living below the poverty line, and it is our social responsibility to provide them with basic necessities of life.
Abhishek Sharma
India is a wonderful nation and even in its darkest hour, her people have stood strong. To me, Independence Day is freedom of thought and action; the freedom to make my own choices. However, the kind of freedom I was born with, for which so much blood was shed, I salute my Motherland and all those brave souls who fought for it. Jai Hind!
Sanchit Gupta
August 15 is a memorable day for every Indian. Although we became independent as a nation, as citizens, we have a long way to go. We are still slaves to obnoxious beliefs, money and to those few who hold power. People are exploited on the basis of their caste. Discrimination still runs deep in the roots of the society. We need to break from these shackles and treat every profession, caste, religion and gender with equal respect. Only then we can consider ourselves to be truly independent.
Alisha Iyer
Independence Day is the one day I associate with unity in diversity. It was the one day of the year when we dressed up as representatives from each state of India, all coming together on one stage for the school Independence Day performance. I was always a representative of Tamil Nadu (even though I'm from Kerala), and my Maharashtrian friend was my counterpart, as apparently, he looked like a South Indian. Silly stereotypes, but the essence that I took from it was that we are all the same, no matter which part of the country we are from. This one day is an excuse for everyone to come together. I wish every day was Independence Day (at least for the spirit of unity). It would make the world a much better place.
Akanksha Mehra
August 15, a day of pride for every Indian. I go back to the assembly days at school when we would hoist mini national flags as kids. Yes, we are independent and we have come a long way as a country. But I think we will be truly independent when every Indian woman feels independent. When fathers, like mine, support their daughters to be self-sufficient and self-reliant in every possible manner. I long for that true Indian independence.
Santosh
I have been staying in New Zealand for four years and I miss India dearly. I still remember how it was when we were in school. We used to go to school without books and sing the national anthem and there would be flag hoisting and the best part was the sweet given to us at the end of the ceremony. I get nostalgic thinking about all of this.
Samskruta Tiwari
For me, independence is able to express myself without anyone holding you back. I feel Independence Day is the time to introspect and ask oneself if we are really free from social issues haunting us.
Suneetha
Independence Day is a time to look back and thank people who gave us independence. Having said that, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to improve our society. I feel we need to make our country a better place to live for women. Only then we can say that India is free and independent.
Tejaswini
When we see the plight of some undeveloped countries, I feel lucky to be born and brought up in India. There are certain things that needs to be changed, but who can boast to be perfect in every sense? I have always felt safe and secure in India and I feel that is what independence is.
Karanvir Sharma
Wishing all my fellow Indians heartiest greetings on our Independence Day.
Our Independence was obtained through great struggle and supreme life sacrifices made by our predecessors. They suffered extreme hardships in their life and youth to obtain for us a future of freedom from foreign yoke and oppression. Today, our beloved India stands at a special pedestal on the world stage not only as the largest multicultural and multi religious democracy but also as a major contributor to peace and all round development. Let us all together vow on this special day, to positively contribute in all possible manner to add glory to our great country and earn worldwide respect and recognition for India. Let us today come together and display our Unity in diversity. Jai Hind.
Atinder Brar
Independence Day brings the memories of my school days, doing parade on the occasion, dressing up in a kurta, playing patriotic songs and school holidays. Those are my fond memories, and I am proud to say that I belong to the country of multicultural people. I miss my country and to all my fellow Indians, Happy Independence Day.
Pankaj Sharma
Independence Day in Jammu used to be wonderful. The streets would be decorated with flyers, banners, songs playing on big speakers, flag hoisting on the streets and patriotic films on TV. I feel sad that I am so far from my nation but I love my country and proud to represent it in New Zealand. Jai Hind!
Ankit Sehgal
Independence is opening up a world of opportunities, where knowledge is free, where we all have equal rights to make our own decisions. For me, it's the power of imagination.
Krishna Kumar Singh
Independence Day means a day of remembering the soldiers who rendered their life for our freedom. Had they not give their lives for us, we wouldn’t have been seeing this beautiful nation of ours cherish and move towards progress. Of course, I miss India and that special day when we would sing the national anthem at the top of our voice. Happy Freedom day, folks.
Roshan Damor
Patriotic days always reminds me of school days, parades, cultural programs and fancy dressing. India has achieved numerable feats such as exploring Mars, one of the biggest and richest entertainment industries in the world Bollywood, World’s 2nd largest army contingent, Sachin Tendulkar and many more. Globally Indians have made our country proud and I pledge to do the same and carry its rich heritage to New Zealand. Proud to be an Indian.
Sunita Bhide
For me, August 15 is a day of true celebration, rather than just a holiday. Indian history was a huge part of the curriculum in our school days, so we could understand the importance of independence, and celebrate the demise of the British Empire from India. Being brought up in a city which had a huge legacy of freedom fighters, we all knew exactly why freedom was important and why people gave away their lives. I believe we should make an attempt to educate our next generation about India’s rich history.
Ankur Lakhanpal
Independence is not about what we feel, rather what we make of it. Although the occasion marks an important day for citizens, reminding them of their rights, it is more importantly about their duties towards the country.
Gary Chatwal
Liberty to Us is like soul to body, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my very warm wishes to fellow Indians all across the world - a very Happy Independence Day -Jai Hind !
Anoushka Patel
Independence day is an occasion to remember the sacrifice that our forefathers made to enable us to choose our own destiny. Happy Independence Day!
Bijal Sathwara
On the occasion of Independence Day let us celebrate because remember. Freedom is not Free. It is worth the price. Cherish the Independence! Feel the patriotism from within! Ask not what the country can do for you. But what you can do for the country. Vande Mataram!
Indian Weekender wishes all the Indians a very happy Independence Day. Vande Matram!