Independence Day

India is a nation with a very rich historic background. The Independence Day, India (Swatantrata Divas) is celebrated on the 15th August to commemorate its independence from the 150 years British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on that day in 1947. It is one of the 3 national holidays in the country. Flag hoisting and distribution of sweets is done all over the country. This is a proud day for the Indians. The prime minister raises the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi, and delivers a nationally televised speech from its ramparts, which is viewed by millions of nationals. He highlights achievements of the government, important issues and gives a call for further development through his speech. On third June, Lord Mountbatten announced the partitioning of the British Empire into an India and Pakistan under the Independence Day, India act 1947. At the stroke of midnight 1947, India became an independent nation, which was preceded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's spine chiller speech titled Tryst with destiny.


Celebrations: In the capital New Delhi most of the 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 Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by politicians belonging to that constituency. Schools and colleges around the country organize flag hoisting ceremony and various cultural activities within their respective premises. Housing colonies, cultural centers, clubs and societies hold entertainment programmers and competitions, usually based on the freedom theme. Most of all is that the people flu colorful kites in the sky. It is a long traditional thing, and the skies look very beautiful and colorful.Hence, Independence day in India is a very important and cheerful occasion.

Republic Day

India is a country that has a great historic background especially when it came to the freedom struggle. The country won her independence on the 15th August 1947. It was two and half years later that the Indian constitution came into existence on the 26th of January 1950. It is celebrated as a national holiday to mark the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on the 26th of January. This is one of the 3 national holidays in India.

This occasion being a very important one, a grand parade is held at the capital, New Delhi annually. It takes place from the Raisiana Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the place of the president), along the Rajpath (path of the leaders), past India gate and on to the historic red fort. The commander in chief of the Indian armed forces that is none other but the president of India, takes the solute. The different regiments of the army, navy and the air force march past in all their finery and official decorations. The parade includes amusement displays on horses by the military men, other vibrant displays that include missiles, tanks, etc; the ceremony is traditionally ended with a flypast by the Indian air force jets. This is the largest scale celebration-taking place in India for the republic day.
Celebrations on a smaller scale are held in state capitals, where mostly the governer of the state unfurls the national flag. If he is absent for some reason, the Chief Minster takes the initiative. It is a big deal in school where children march past the hoisted tricolor flag, and have a small ceremony of their own. Sweets are distributed amongst the children. Many other places perform the flag hoisting ceremony and pay their respect the Republic day, and their nation, India.