We are Celebrating our 72st Independence Day today.On this note, we bring to you, a few Amazing Facts which we are sure most of you are unaware of.
1. Why does Pakistan Celebrate its Independence Day Before India?
The date for the India's Declaration Of Independence was already locked for the 15th of August, 1947. Lord Mountbatten, who was the Last Viceroy of British India, had to attend both the ceremonies in Karachi and Delhi. To avoid a clash between the two, Pakistan’s Independence Day was celebrated on 14th August and thus every year Pakistan’s Independence Day is celebrated a day before India.
2. Why was 15th August chosen? What is the special significance?
It was on August 15th 1945 that Japan had surrendered to the Allied Forces in which the British were a part. To mark the Second Anniversary of this occasion, Lord Mountbatten had chosen the 15th of August.
3. India had no National Anthem on the day of Independence.
When India was liberated, there was no national anthem, even though it was written in 1911. Jana Gana Mana was considered as the National Anthem only from Jan 26th of 1950.
4. Why do we celebrate 26th of January as our Republic Day?
26th January has a historical significance in the history of the freedom struggle of India. The Purna Swaraj declaration by the Congress was made on 26th Januray, 1930 and thus started the agitation for Complete Freedom, unlike Dominion Status. The Congress asked the people of India to observe 26 January as Independence Day. The flag of India was hoisted publicly across India by Congress volunteers, nationalists and the public.
Hence, India was officially declared to be a Sovereign Republic on 26th Januray, 1950 only in commemoration of above-said Purna Swaraj declaration.
5. Mahatma Gandhi had no time to Celebrate India's Independence Day!
Mahatma Gandhi,the man who lead the freedom struggle did not participate in the Independence day celebrations. There were several Hindu – Muslim communal clashes in Calcutta and Bengal. Gandhi was in Calcutta busy dousing the flames of communal Violence. He kept himself on a fast for the entire day and continued it even further. Later both the communities had withdrawn violence and surrendered their Weapons.
6. Who gave Gandhiji the Title "Father of the Nation"?
We all know pretty much that the means of Gandhiji and Subhash Chandra Bose often contradicted each other. But their ultimate ends were the same, Liberating India from foreign rule. We also have a misconception that Bose had not much respect towards Gandhiji. Much to your Surprise, it Was Subhash Chandra Bose who first called Gandhiji as Father of Nation in 1944.
7. A few states did not take part in the Independence day celebrations.
The princely states of Junagadh, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad were not integrated to India on 15th August. It was only after serious efforts of the Government, India is now seen in its present form.
8. Did you know that a Telugite composed our National Pledge?
"India is my Country, all Indians are my....." this is something that every one of us knows by heart. Have you ever wondered who wrote the pledge?? It was Written by Pydimarri Venkata Subba Rao, a noted author in Telugu. The pledge was originally composed in Telugu Language by writer Pydimarri Venkata Subba Rao in 1962. It was first read out in a school in Vishakapatnam in 1963 and was subsequently translated into various regional languages
