India marks its 78th year of independence with a resolute gaze towards its future. This year’s theme, “Viksit Bharat” or “Developed India,” is all about the government’s goal of making India a developed country by 2047—the year of the country’s 100th anniversary of independence.
The day commemorates India’s liberation from British rule, which lasted over 200 years, achieved on August 15, 1947. The struggle for independence, beginning with the Revolt of 1857, gained momentum under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in the 1920s and culminated in freedom after the Indian Independence Bill was introduced on July 4, 1947.
On 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru famously described independence as a “Tryst with Destiny.” Today, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to deliver his eleventh consecutive Independence Day address, the nation stands at another crossroads. The goal is to script a destiny where India emerges as a global superpower by 2047, its centenary year.
The journey from colonial shackles to a self-reliant nation has been arduous. Countless freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for this day. Their legacy is the bedrock upon which India is building its future. But the challenges are immense. Economic disparities, social inequalities, and environmental concerns cast long shadows.
This Independence Day is not just about celebrating the past; it’s about forging a path for the future. As the nation unites in patriotic fervor, the world watches with anticipation. The next few decades will be a defining chapter in the nation’s history.
