Indian Independence Day

What is Indian Independence Day? Why is it celebrated? Let's find out.

History of Indian Independence Day:

The 1st Indian Independence Day was celebrated on August 15th, 1947. It was celebrated because during the night of August 14, all the first officials of the Dominion of India were sworn in, including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Governor-General Albert Mountbatten. Then on the morning of the 15th, the Indian flag rose over the city of Delhi. A new nation was born. And since then, the Indian Independence Day has been celebrated as a federal holiday.

Celebration:

During Indian Independence Day, there are many forms of celebration throughout the country. In both governmental and non-governmental institutions, flag hoisting takes place each year. A big parade takes place on the Kartavya Path, a road in New Delhi going to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Special events take place in schools, and national songs are played. There are also many Indian Independence Day celebrations outside of India too! This is because many Indians are immigrants, meaning they moved out of India and settled in other areas of the world.

Fun Facts:

• The Dominion of India was ruled by Indians, but their head of state was from the U.K.!

• Eventually India adopted a new constitution which created an India with an Indian head of state. This Day is known as Republic Day, and it is celebrated on January 26.

• The flag of India is a rectangular flag with saffron, white, and green horizontal stripes from top to bottom. In the middle of the white strip is a chakra, or wheel.

We at YNH hope everybody celebrating has a great Indian Independence Day!

By Mihir Gupta

For more information on some locations mentioned in New Delhi/Delhi, check out this travel article co-written by Mihir Gupta and Armaan Dhawan.

Image credit: https://timelinedaily.com/india/no-changes-made-to-oci-rules-says-ministry-of-external-affairs