From Pillar to Post, to Infinity…
15th August 2022 commemorates a significant milestone for us; it marks 75 years of Indian independence from British rule, making this an extraordinary and auspicious Independence Day. Every year, we honour our fallen soldiers and pay homage to the heroes who fought tirelessly for our freedom, but how many of us really remember the history they forged? Here’s a quick recap of the struggles they overcame and the legacy they left behind.
The British first commenced their rule in 1757 when the East India Company was set up in India and exercised their authority for the next 100 years. Between 1857 and 1858, however, the leadership switched to direct British rule (also known as British raj). However, the Indian Independence Movement began only in World War I. Mahatma Gandhi, among many other freedom fighters, led the fight for freedom and advocated for civil disobedience through marches and boycotts instead of resorting to weaponry and war.
The journey wasn’t easy; from the establishment of the Indian National Congress to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre to the Dandi March (Salt March), the road to independence was brutal. If not for the sacrifice of heroes like Subhash Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rani Laxmibai, Bhagat Singh, and countless other unsung heroes, India would not have its freedom today. On 15th August 1947, the Bill of Independence was passed, and India celebrated its first Independence Day. And ever since, the parliament gathers at Red Fort and watches the parade of freedom fighters, the unfurling of the national flag, and listens to the commencement address by the prime minister.
In fact, to strengthen our patriotic spirit, PM Modi has launched a new campaign in honour of India’s 75th year of independence. If you’ve seen the Indian flag everywhere lately – such as in shops, streets, gardens, and houses – it’s because of PM Modi’s “Har Ghar Tiranga” program. This INR 100 Crore project across all Indian states (INR 40+ crore in UP, INR 16+ crore in Assam, and much more) is meant to “deepen our connection with the national flag”. In India, the flag is a matter of national pride, and as such, households were prevented from hoisting the flag without perfect care in terms of the time it’s raised and lowered, how it’s folded, and more. While this program brings the tricolour to every house, it contradicts the traditional respect for the flag we have maintained for decades. Yet, our tricolour symbolises pride and patriotism, and this campaign is just another way to pay tribute to our fallen heroes.
