Indian Independence Day (15/08)

Every year on August 15, India celebrates the big holiday — Independence Day (Hindi र्््््रा ्रा ्र्) — is the anniversary of the declaration of independence from Great Britain.

On this day in 1947, the Indian Independence Act came into force, and the tricolor flag of independent India was raised over the walls of the Red Fort in Delhi by the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in front of a huge crowd of people. Thus, a new stage in the history of the ancient country was marked.

The flag-raising ceremony is held on this day in many cities and even villages of the country. The ritual of making speeches by local politicians is also traditional. All official speeches, as a rule, are united by the introduction of historical excursions, reminding the audience of India’s difficult path to achieving independence and the glorious traditions of the national liberation struggle.

On the occasion of Independence Day, state governors hold festive receptions. Ceremonial meetings are also organized by a number of semi-governmental and public organizations.

Up until the proclamation of India as a republic in 1950, Independence Day was the only national holiday, an official day off for all government agencies, private industrial and commercial enterprises. In 1947—1949, a military parade was held in the capital on the occasion of this holiday.

Nowadays, having given way to the main holiday, Republic Day, Independence Day is nevertheless celebrated with mass celebrations, festive processions and official speeches. All Indian citizens celebrate — regardless of nationality or religion. In a sense, this holiday symbolizes the desire of democratic India to strengthen the unity of the country, intercommunal disunity, and overcome the remaining feudal remnants.

2304