Independence Day is celebrated on 15 August every year with pomp and joy. On this day Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag on the Red Fort in the presence of dignitaries and esteemed guests. India was under British rule for almost 200 year and it took immense courage to gain independence finally on 15 August 1947. The national flag was designed by freedom fighter Pingali Venkayya. Here are some of the lesser known facts about India and Independence which will definitely instill pride in our motherland:
- 15 August: Not just a D-Day for India
India gained Independence at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947. Other countries like Korea, Congo, Bahrain and Liechtanstein also share their Independence Day on this day.
- ‘Vande Mataram’
‘Vande Mataram’ is the national song of India and it is a poem composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1870s and it is included in his 1881 novel Anandmath. The first two verses of the song are adopted as the national song of India.
- 1857: Pioneer for the Freedom Struggle
The Indian Freedom Struggle began with sepoy mutiny which was led by Mangal Pandey in 1857.
- Kashmir: the bone of contention between India and Pakistan
The princely State of Jammu and Kashmir rose as the root cause of conflict between India and Pakistan. The Hindu Maharaja of the princely state was confused and had not decided whether to join India or Pakistan. Later he decided to join India in October 1947 adding to the conflict which is ongoing till date.
- The division between India and Pakistan
Law Lord and British Lawyer Cyrill John Radcliffe drew the boundary between India and Pakistan. Hence, succeeding in their Divide and rule trick.
Sushmita Panda – DU Times
