Indian Independence Day is nationally celebrated event that is held on the 15th of August of every year through out the country. It commemorates the day in 1947 when India achieved independence from the hands of British rule. Indian Independence Day is a national holiday in the country and is one of great significance, as it marked the birth of a self-governing nation in the year 1947. It was on the 15th of August in 1947 that Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Indian flag at the Red Fort in Delhi and read the famous freedom speech at the stroke of midnight. The Independence of the nation came after the country bore the yoke of British rule for 300 years and the day is celebrated with a lot of pomp and fanfare across the entire nation.

On the Indian Independence Day, the tri-coloured national flag is hoisted all over the country which is conducted by the local administration. The existing Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi and gives a speech which is broadcasted on National Television.

Struggle for Indian Independence
The struggle for Independence spans almost three centuries of the nation`s history. The British, who had initially come to India as traders and businessmen, gradually started taking part in administration and colonising various territories and regions till the entire country came under their rule. There were a number of sporadic uprisings and protests which were carried out against the British rule but it was not until the First War of Independence in 1857 or Revolt of 1857 that any kind of a concrete threat was posed to the British Empire. This was followed by the persistent and tireless efforts of renowned Indian leaders and freedom fighters such as Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Ganghadar Tilak, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Jawaharlal Nehru and many more that the British were finally removed from India and they handed back the reigns of administration to Indian leaders.

Celebrations of Indian Independence
The celebrations of Independence are carried out with a lot of festivity and enthusiasm across the length and breadth of the country. All Government organisations, educational institutions and private companies remain closed as 15th August is a National holiday. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes held in the state capitals are the most important part of the celebration on this day. A major highlight of the day is the Prime Minister`s speech delivered in Red Fort at Delhi.

The Prime Minister of India, in his speech, highlights the various achievements of the Government in the year gone by and also brings to attention important national issues and calls for the future development of the nation. He also pays a tribute to the various leaders of the Indian Freedom Struggle. In the national capital New Delhi, most of the Government Offices are lit up. All over the country nation flags are distributed among citizens, which they proudly wear in a spirit of patriotism. Schools and colleges all over the country mark the day with cultural activities, drills, parades, flag hoisting and distribution of sweets. Buildings of national importance are illuminated on this day. One of the colourful traditions of the Independence Day celebrations is that of kite-flying. The sky is dotted with hundreds of colourful kites and people engage in kite-flying competitions.

The media also conducts a variety of contests, promotions and programmes related to Indian independence. The Indian TV channels telecast patriotic movies and play patriotic songs from old and new Bollywood movies. Even billboards on roadsides for different brands pay their tribute to the nation.

Each year, August 15 gives the civilians of the country a reason to celebrate all this, and to contemplate what the Indians have and how they achieved it.