Indias Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on that day in 1947.
It is a national holiday. All over the country, flag-hoisting ceremonies are conducted by the local administration in attendance.
The main event takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally televised speech from its ramparts.
In his speech, he highlights the achievements of his government during the past year, raises important issues and gives a call for further development.
The Prime Minister also pays his tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle.
A colourful pageant showcasing Indias cultural diversity, symbolic depictions of the countrys advances in science and technology, and a joint display of Indias military capabilities by the armed forces are an essential part of the Independence Day celebrations.
The Republic of India is a country that occupies a greater part of Indian subcontinent.
Indias coastline stretches for over seven thousand kilometres.
India is the 2nd most populous country in the world, with a population of over one billion and is the 7th largest country by geographical area.
It is a constitutional republic consisting of 28 states and 7 union territories.
A centre of important historic trade routes, India is the home to some of the most ancient civilisations.
India is the birthplace to four major world religions: Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism.
It also has the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia.
Hinduism is the major religion followed in India .
The country has witnessed significant economic and military growth after the liberalization of the Indian economy.
India is also well-known for upholding the concept of peace, as was demonstrated by its peaceful method of freedom struggle.
On 3 June 1947, Viscount Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last British Governor-General of India, announced the partitioning of the British Indian Empire into India and Pakistan, under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947.
At the stroke of midnight, on 14 August 1947, India became an independent nation.
This was preceded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus famous speech titled Tryst with Destiny.
"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."
Government Offices are lit up. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the state capitals.
In the cities around the country the national flag is hoisted by politicians in their respective constituencies.
In various private organisations the flag hoisting is carried out by a senior official of that organisation.
Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hoisting ceremonies and various cultural events within their premises, where younger children in costume do impersonations of their favourite characters of the Independence era.
Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing.
Housing colonies, cultural centres, clubs and societies hold entertainment programmes and competitions, usually based on the Independence Day theme.
Most national and regional television channels screen old and new film classics with patriotic themes on Independence Day.
Indira and Pandit Nehru
Netaji Subhsah Chandra Bose
Shaheed Bhagat Singh
With Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan - popularly called as Sarhad Gandhi
Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Lala Lajpat Rai
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
India Day Parade NYC, 29th India Day Parade is one of the biggest independence day festivities in the states.
With that being said, the Federation of Indian Association has gone all out to make this the most memorable celebration of Independence.
This years parade being held on August 16 on Madison Avenue will be graced by Bollywood superstar Shilpa Shetty as the grand marshal.
Along with her will be RandB artist Jay Sean, whose song "Down" is listed as number 6 in the Hot Billboard 100 and in the top 5 list in iTunes.
Also joining the festivities are Suzzane, a budding star from the Oscar-winning film - Slumdog Millionaire
The parade starts at 12:00 pm at 41st street @ Madison Avenue and ends at 28th Street.
There is a big "mela" at the end with stalls selling everything from newspaper subscriptions to food, music, clothes and what not !.
Worlds Largest India Day Parade
Parade - Floats(Madison Ave. 41st to 28th st - 12 Noon to 3PM)
Fair - Festivals(12 Noon to 5.30 PM)
Cultural Program(23rd to 27th - 3 PM to 5.30 PM)
6 Hours of non-stop excitement
60+ Food Varieties to relish
250+ Amazing performers and Global Participants
For the first time ever India Day Parade will be telecasted live in USA, Canada, India and On the Web
An amazing spectacle not to be missed : Empire State Building will be lit up with Indian Tri-Color.
>City(s) = New York; State(s) = NY; Country = USA.
>Title = India Independence Day Parade NYC, New York, NY, USA - Video.
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