Beloved motherland

This date might be another mundane day for many.  Out of our busy schedule take time and take pride in coming together to celebrate the Independence day taking the COVID-19 safety measures and practicing social distancing, unfortunately.

Sitting far away from India I wonder how this day will be feted with the pandemic that has been widespread.

The Day has come though when India attained freedom from the British Rule. Usually, this festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm all over the country by millions of Indians.

A moment of pride and glory.

On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors — British who ruled the country.  

The day is celebrated all over the country through the flag-hoisting ceremony, parade, and distribution of sweets.

The main celebration takes place at Red Fort of New Delhi, where the Indian Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort and delivers a speech to the nation where he normally pays tribute to freedom fighters, highlights the achievements of his government during the past year, raises important issues and discusses plans of the government for further development of the nation.

At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, India shook off the shackles of British Rule and became free.

A lot of ceremonies and cultural programmes are hosted in India

A fresh star rises, the star of freedom in the East, a new hope comes into being, and a vision long cherished materialises. May the star never set and that hope never be betrayed! We rejoice in that freedom, and so we have to labour and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams.

To the nations and peoples of the world send greetings and pledge ourselves to cooperate with them in furthering peace, freedom, and democracy. And to India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal, and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service. Jai Hind.

Mathew Litty — By email