Top Lesser-Known Facts About Independence Day
- Author: Anushka Published: 05th August, 2022
While other countries had revolutions, India faced a freedom struggle; that too a long one. Our ancestors fought for so many years to free the country from the shackles of British rule. And finally, on 15th August 1947, India saw the rise of a new dawn. As India celebrates its 75th Independence Day this year, below we have rounded up the top lesser-known facts about the day that only a true Indian would know. Keep reading to know more.
India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the national flag above the Lahori Gate from Red Fort at midnight of August 15, 1947. His famous Independence Day speech quotes, ‘Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny and now that time comes when we shall redeem our pledge. At the stroke of today's midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.’
To begin with, the Britishers were supposed to hand over the administrative power by June 1948. But when Lord Mountbatten was appointed the new viceroy in February 1947 and because of the turmoil that followed Jinnah’s insistence on the partition and after several meetings, he settled upon the date of August 15. He considered the date to be lucky for him as it commemorated the date when the Japanese surrendered to him at the end of World War II.
If it was not necessary for Lord Mountbatten to attend the Independence Day of both nations, Pakistan would also be celebrating their freedom on August 15.
Even after India gained independence, Goa was still a Portuguese colony. It was annexed to India only in 1961 by the Indian Army. Thus, it was the last state to become a part of the Indian territory.
Do you know India had no official anthem at the time of independence? Though ‘Jan-Gan-Man’ was penned in 1911, it was officially crowned as India’s National Anthem on 24 January 1950.
It was Gandhi Ji’s concept of Swaraj that played a crucial role in the Indian freedom struggle. However, when the whole country revelled in the celebrations of independence, he couldn’t join as he was fasting as a part of the protest against Hindu-Muslim riots.
The Radcliffe Line, the demarcation line that depicts the Pakistani and Indian portions of Punjab, drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe was wrapped up on 3rd August 1947. However, it was officially published two days after India got her independence.
Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) is the only place that manufactures and supplies the Indian flag throughout the country.
Appreciate all the soldiers, patriots, leaders and your family & friends who care for their country by wishing them with the nicest independence day gifts and greetings.
