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The country’s heart beat’s
in solidarity on 15th August when India’s citizens stand to
salute the flag. The flag that had lost its identity and had
taken a beating for over a hundred years as the British Raj
existed.
But it was in 1947 when the British handed over their rights of
India to its countrymen. Jawaharlal Nehru stood tall as the
first Prime Minister of the country. As Mahatma Gandhi declined
the offer, it was Nehru who took the baton that weighed more
than he could imagine.
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On this day, the national
anthem rung out loud throughout the country, and the freedom
fighters felt good for every drop of blood they shed. There were
many who did not see the light of this day because they were
martyred as freedom fighters. Some to remember are Shahid Bhagat
Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Mangal Pandey and Ram Prasad Bismil.
Women were not far behind in this fight, some to remember were
Jhasi ki Rani Laxmibai, Sarojini Naidu and Kasturba Gandhi.
India had a history of attackers, the princes within the country
would attack each other to increase the length and breadth of
their kingdom. It was not long before when foreigners came to
attack the shores. It began with the Dutch, then Portuguese, the
French and ultimately Britain. They came to procure raw
materials and use the country as processors to make final goods
that were exported from the country to their hometown.
But over a period of time the British gained power and ruled
most of the country to extract maximum raw materials at
negligible prices. Their divide and rule policy increased the
differences between the Hindus, Muslims and other faiths. These
differences kept increasing leading to internal violence and
riots. The British always took advantage of these situations and
only aggravated it.
It was only the minds of the intelligent in the country like
Gandhi, who saw what the British were doing and tried a
turnaround situation. Also as the British ill-treated the
Indians there was a lot of animosity against them. Thus were
born freedom fighters, which were ready to give up their life
for the country.
Decades past, more freedom fighters were lost but even more were
born. With secret meetings, secret newspapers and underground
hidings these fighters would meet each other to discuss further
action.
Mahatma Gandhi with his ahimsa, non-cooperation movement and
Satyagraha made it possible for deliberations with the British
who ultimately gave up their power in 1947.
Today Independence Day celebrations resound in every school,
where children are taught to revere their flag. The epitome of
the celebrations is in New Delhi where the Prime Minister hoists
the flag and delivers a speech from the Red Fort that is
telecasted to homes across the nation.
TV channels telecast freedom fighter movies and the national
anthem is played in every nook and corner.
Author: Ms Coutinho.
More about
Independence Day India
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