Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. On this day tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to get the freedom for India. The main event takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort accompanied with the gunshots, parade followed by PM's address to the Nation.

On this day many political leaders appear at the public events and talk about the nation's heritage, laws, history, people, about recent events and future projects. The Independence Day is considered as a Public Day with outings, picnics and lots of outdoor events like parades, air shows, fireworks, and musical concerts.

This holiday is a dry day in India when the sale of alcohol is not permitted. Nowadays kite flying has become a tradition on this day and people fly numerous kites of all colours, sizes and shapes symbolizing the freedom.

The flag hoisting ceremony also held in all the State/UT headquarters, where C.M.'s /LG's hoist the flag. Indians proudly fly their tricolour Flag, sing patriotic songs like "Vande Mataram", "Jan Gan Man" and enjoy the day with their friends and families.

The Indian national flag is a horizontal tricolour of saffron, white and green. The wheel in the centre is a representation of the chakra, which appears on the abacus of Ashoka's pillar. The Indian flag was approved on July 22nd 1947 and presented to the Indian nation on August 15th, 1947 when the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Flag at Lahore Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi.

The colour saffron, represents courage, sacrifice and renunciation. The white denotes truth and purity, and the green stands for life, faith and chivalry. The wheel symbolises unceasing motion and progress.