1 )

We Share our Independence day with 2 other Countries.

• South Korea - Aug 15 from Japan in 1945
• Bahrain - Aug 15 from UK in 1971

2 )

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous speech titled “Tryst with Destiny” towards midnight on 14th August 1947 to the Indian Constituent Assembly. He was not technically the Prime Minister as it wasn’t yet 15th August. Nehru, the next day he unfurled the Indian Tri-Color flag over the Council Hall and declared India Independent.

3 )

The reason Pakistan has its Independence day on Aug 14th is probably because of 2 reasons:-

• Due to a clash of Ceremonies to be held for Transfer of Power, one which was in Karachi and another in Delhi, August 14th was chosen to be Pakistan’s Independence day so that Mountbatten could attend both the ceremonies.
• Pakistan also adapted a new Standard Time after partition which was 30 min behind Indian Time. Hence, if India was Independent at 12 AM on Aug 15th 1947 , then Pakistan would be on 14th August at 11.30 PM.

4 )

The Indian Independence Act 1947 was a statute enacted by the British ParliamentPakistan and India. The Act received Royal British assent on July 18, 1947.Then the date of setting up of dominions(India/Pakistan) was fixed as 15th of August 1947 in this act. Hence 15th Of August became our Independence Day. which partitioned of India and the created the Independent dominions of

5 )

Midnight’s Children , Salman Rushdie’s book, is set after the Independence and Partition of India. The narrator and main character of the story is Saleem Sinai. Saleem is born at the exact moment that India becomes independent on Aug 15th 1947. Saleem Sinai’s life reflects the changing fortunes of the country after independence. The name Midnight’s Children is a reference to all people born at the stroke of Midnight on Aug 15th 1947. In fact Rushdie himself was born on June 19th 1947.

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Mark Twain, the famous American Writer said this about India.“India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.”

Does all this apply in 2008 ?. Everyday i see new riots, unstability and a loss of moral values. Pledge that we will change India and uphold what India stands for and fights for. Unity in Diversity. If India fails in this, the world will surely follow.

Wishing all of you a Wonderful Independence Day. JAI HIND.

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