Independence Day Celebrations in India
Indians across the world celebrate Independence Day on August 15 every year with great fanfare and pride. A government holiday is observe annually to remember the day India became an independent country and to pay respect to the brave leaders who participated in the country’s freedom struggle.

A Colorful day of Celebrations
Indians celebrate Independence Day by decorating their buildings with colorful lights resembling those of the tricolor. The Indian flag flies high all over the country. Media people get busy covering events and cultural programs covering the special day. The president delivers a speech for the whole nation ahead of the day. The PM unfurls the tricolor at the Red Fort and gives his Independence Day speech. Similar flag hoisting ceremonies and events are held all across the nation, including schools and even residential buildings.
People have their own ways of celebrating the big day. While some go for an outing with family, there are others who prefer staying at home and enjoying all the special Independence Day shows on TV. There is this special sport called kite flying which is held every year to celebrate Independence Day. The skies are decorated by numerous kites colored with shades of the tricolor to signify the country’s freedom.

The tricolor
The national flag is in fact one of the strongest symbols of freedom. The tricolor includes a saffron at the top, white in the center and dark green at the bottom. A wheel is placed in the center of the white portion to symbolize the chakra. Jawarlal Nehru called the flag,”a symbol of freedom to all people”. While Saffron stands for courage and sacrifice, white symbolizes the peace and purity. The color Green symbolizes fertility. And the Ashoka Chakra represents 'Dharma' or righteousness.

India’s freedom struggle and ultimate liberation
It all began with the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. The struggle intensified in the 20th century, thanks to active participation by Indian National Congress and various groups under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Finally, India became an independent nation on August 15, 1947 after becoming a free country on the midnight of August 14.