India celebrates 70th Independence Day with gratitude and honor
On 15th August, 2017 India celebrated nation’s independence from England.
It was celebrated as a national holiday in India commemorating freedom after the slavery of hundred years from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947.
Independence came into being when British divided along religious lines into the Dominions of India and Pakistan on the concept of Two-Nation Theory. Pakistan celebrated its Independence Day on 14th of August 2017 while India celebrated as black day.
The partition was accompanied by riots and mass causalities, and the displacement of nearly 15 million people due to religious violence.
On 15 August 2017, the Prime Minister of India Nirender Modi raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi, which is a common sight on public and private buildings on Independence Day.
President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the nation as part of a decades old tradition.
In his first Independence Day address, he hailed various government policies including Goods and Services Tax, Swachh India Campaign and the notes ban. President Kovind had given assent to six legislations within three weeks after taking charge. One of the legislations was extension of jurisdiction of trial in cases of maritime claims, arrests and detentions of ships to various courts.
In short, the holiday was observed throughout India with flag-hoisting, ceremonies, parades and cultural events. It was a national holiday, school and government offices distributed sweets on that memorable day.
Reporter: Syeda Faiza Bukhari