KNOW YOUR COUNTRY (Facts you should know) Series-1

 

KNOW YOUR COUNTRY

India's Independence Day celebrated on August 15th yearly, is a significant event in Indian history. Here are some key facts everyone should know:

 

1. **Date of Independence**

August 15, 1947: India gained independence from British rule on this day after nearly 200 years of colonial domination.

 

2. **Partition**

 Independence was accompanied by the Partition of India into two separate nations, India and Pakistan, leading to one of the largest mass migrations in history and significant violence.

 

3. **First Prime Minister**

 Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of independent India. He delivered the famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech on the eve of independence.

 

4. **Flag Hoisting**

   - The Indian national flag, known as the  Tiranga (Tricolor), was hoisted for the first time by Nehru at the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947.

 

5. **National Anthem**

 Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, was officially adopted as the national anthem of India on January 24, 1950, but it is widely associated with the celebrations of Independence Day.

 

6. **Independence Movement**

The independence of India was the result of a long and sustained struggle involving non-violent resistance and civil disobedience led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose.

 

7. **Significance of the Date**

 August 15 was chosen as the date for India’s independence by the last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, because it also commemorated the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.

 

8. **Independence Day Celebrations**

Independence Day is marked by flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, cultural events, and speeches across India. The Prime Minister's address from the Red Fort is a central part of the celebrations.

 

9. **National Holiday**

 August 15 is a national holiday in India. Schools, colleges, and government offices are closed, and the day is observed with patriotism and various cultural activities.

 

10. **Freedom Fighters**

 Countless freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for India’s independence. Key figures include Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai, among others.

 

11. **Symbolism of the National Flag**

 The Indian flag consists of three horizontal stripes of saffron, white, and green, with the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in the center. The colors represent courage and sacrifice, peace and truth, and faith and chivalry, respectively.

 

12. **Global Recognition**

 India’s independence inspired many other nations in Asia and Africa to fight for their freedom from colonial rule, making it a significant event in the global decolonization movement.