75 years of independence

(April 28, 2023 / JNS) Israelis are celebrating Israel’s 75th anniversary and mourning the loss of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Israel celebrates Memorial Day and Independence Day together because the two events are closely linked in the country’s history and national identity. Memorial Day commemorates the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians who died defending Israel, while Independence Day celebrates the establishment of the State of Israel and its sovereignty after 2,000 years of Jewish statelessness. The decision to hold the holidays back-to-back was made in 1951 to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the struggle for independence, as well as to emphasize the connection between their sacrifice and the country’s founding. Israel acknowledges the deep sense of loss and grief that accompanies the celebration of independence. The joint observance reflects the unity and solidarity of the Israeli people, as they remember the fallen, honor their sacrifices and celebrate the country’s achievements while looking to the future. Celebrating Memorial Day immediately before Independence Day underscores the idea that freedom and national sovereignty come at a price. Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism (Yom Hazikaron) is marked by ceremonies and observances throughout the country. At 8 p.m. on the eve of Memorial Day, a siren sounds throughout Israel, marking the beginning of nationwide mourning. Duri...

Synopsis India’s political class must broaden their goals and create a new economic and social vision. Unshackling India from its interventionist state, allowing young, aspirational India’s innovativeness, flair and talent to be nurtured through better education and health systems, and building resilience with better preparedness for threats from climate change, natural disasters and pandemics, with robust social assistance and insurance systems must be the way forward. On August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru declared India’s Independence with his ‘tryst with destiny’ speech. As India enters the 75th year as a free country, the question on everyone’s mind is, will India ever consummate that destiny? In a somewhat haphazard manner, India has, of course, made progress since the end of British rule, certainly far better than the previous 100 years of that colonisation. Most villages have been electrified. Most of our children are going to primary schools in villages and urban slums. Most people now use mobile phones, and road and highway construction, airports and ports have expanded to increase mobility across the country. India’s ranking in global GDP rose, on the back of the 1991 reforms, as its GDP grew more than five times since then, and a middle class of around 300 million emerged — about 25% of India’s population — but so did inequality. The share of income going to the top 1% doubled from just over 10% in 1990 to over 20% in 2019, and the Gini coefficient, which was aro...

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: Seventy-five years ago today, India took its independence from the British Empire. The country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, called it a tryst with destiny. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRIME MINISTER JAWAHARLAL NEHRU: At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. (APPLAUSE) INSKEEP: Independence began with calamity. Britain partitioned India into two nations - Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India. Millions of Hindus and Muslims fled or were forced to cross the new border, and many people killed their neighbors. But today, India is often called the world's biggest democracy, soon to overtake China as the world's most populous country. And NPR's Lauren Frayer covers it from Mumbai. Hey there, Lauren. LAUREN FRAYER, BYLINE: Good morning. INSKEEP: How are people marking the holiday? FRAYER: Well, it's torrential monsoon rains where I am. But nevertheless, all the homes, cars, even rickshaws and tea stalls are just festooned with Indian flags. It's a day off work and school for Indians, and families gather around their televisions to watch this celebration at Delhi's 17th-century Red Fort. It started with a military salute. A marching band played the national anthem. They released balloons in the colors of the Indian tricolor flag. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a speech celebrating democracy. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI: Mother of dem...

Happy 75th Independence Day: Know its History, Importance And Significance On August 15, India will commemorate 75 years of glorious independence from British rule. In 1947, India was liberated from the oppressive rule of the British Empire. The fight for our independence was long and difficult, and it took many brave lives. As a result, the entire country observes Independence Day to commemorate the freedom we enjoya well as the long struggle that India faced. The day honours the sacrifices of our courageous freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for our nation. Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the National Flag of Independent India above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi for the first time and said, “At the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom”. History of Independence Day For nearly 200 years, Britishers ruled India. Every Indian’s life was difficult and depressing during British colonial rule. Indians were treated as slaves with no freedom of expression. Indian rulers were nothing more than puppets in the hands of British officers. Indian fighters were treated cruelly in British camps, and farmers went hungry because they couldn’t grow crops and had to pay high land taxes. Indian freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and others launched numerous movements that helped break the shackles of slavery after 90 years....

India completes In the following charts (black circle) indicates India, (yellow circle) indicates BRICS, (light purple circle) indicates Emerging economies, (lavender circle) indicates Indian subcontinent and (light blue circle) indicates G7 countries Population: 1960 vs 2021 India’s population increased from 4,505 lakh in 1960 to 13,934 lakh by 2021. While its population has remained the second-highest throughout this period, it is now catching up with China, the most populated nation. Of the 32 nations compared, UAE has had a considerable rise in population (from 92,000 in 1960 to 99.9 lakh) mostly owing to in-migration. The graph shows population in lakh Hover over the charts to find the exact figures Charts appear incomplete. HDI: 1950 vs 2019 The Human Development Index (HDI) is a measure of life expectancy, access to education and standard of living. The graph shows HDI measured on a scale of 0 (worst) to 1 (best). India’s HDI improved from 0.11 in 1950 to 0.64 in 2019. Despite the progress in absolute terms, its ranking among select countries dropped from 26th to 28th. Two countries — Indonesia and Saudi Arabia surpassed India GDP per capita: 1960s vs 2020s India ranked 24 out of the selected 26 nations in GDP per capita. Its ranking remained unchanged in the 1960s and in 2020. While Indonesia lagged behind India in the 1960s, it moved ahead by 2020. The graph shows GDP per capita ($) which is the sum of gross value added by all resident producers in the economy div...

Dr. Santosh Kumar Mohapatra* Every year, 15 August is commemorated as the day India got liberated from colonial shackle ending an almost 200-year British rule. India’s Independence Day is momentous as it stands as a reminder of the sacrifices that many freedom fighters made to get independence from British rule. August 15, 2021, marks the 75th Independence Day of India. The Indian Independence movement began during World War I and was led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. On August 15, 1947, India got its freedom. From the time the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the Indian flag at the Red Fort, India has been marching on, intent on continuing its “tryst with destiny”. An independent India was bequeathed a ravaged economy, pervasive illiteracy and grinding poverty. Since Independence, India has witnessed many changes, vicissitudes in the political and socio-economic landscape. Undergoing the excruciating experience of partition, ravaged by the war with China and Pakistan, devastated by religious fundamentalism, linguistic antagonism, communal skirmishes, yet standing strong in the face of all and that’s India for the world. A country that today comes across as a strong powerful, the developing nation has achieved and lost so many things in its journey from 1947 to 2021. Poverty, hunger, inequality, rural distress, farmer’s suicide, and unemployment are major problems plaguing the entire nation today. Some important achievements: We have the greatest n...

There is a cliched expression about not driving with one’s eyes on the rear-view mirror. But as we celebrate our 75th Independence Day, we should not only look back in anger at what we have not accomplished, but also with wonder at what we have. Contrary to what Winston Churchill is supposed to have said (there is no evidence he actually said it) about rascals, rogues, freebooters, anarchy and internecine warfare, India has survived and prospered—politically, socially and economically. Even if one forgets Winston Churchill, many people read Paul Ehrlich’s neo-Malthusian The Population Bomb (1968) at the time, as they did William and Paul Paddock’s Famine 1975 (1967). People confidently predict the future, though history is replete with examples of supposed “experts” who have gone hopelessly wrong. Decades later, there are still people who would like India to splinter amidst chaos and anarchy, as Ehrlich expected India to do, over food riots and famine. August 15, 1947, seems like a long time ago. It indeed was. Seven-and-half decades is a long period of time, though it is but a fleeting moment in the history of nations. The world was different then. India was different then. The Indian economy was different then. Minoo Masani (1905-98) is all but forgotten now. In his day, he was an influential thinker, politician and parliamentarian. In 1940, he published a slim book directed at children, titled Our India. It was socialist in tone and had views Minoo Masani would change i...

75th Independence Day 2022 Celebrations highlights, Independence Day 2022 Speech, Flag Hoisting, Parade at Red Fort Updates: President Joe Biden recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s “enduring message of truth and non-violence” to honour 75 years of India’s democratic journey and said that the US and India are indispensable partners. 75th Independence Day Speech by PM Modi HIGHLIGHTS:Leaders and intellectuals from across the world have been congratulating India since Monday morning for its 75th Independence Day. President Joe Biden recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s “enduring message of truth and non-violence” to honour 75 years of India’s democratic journey and said that the US and India are indispensable partners. Bill Gates too congratulated India and called the country’s development in healthcare and digital transformation “inspiring”. Kolkata Airport Fire: Airports Authority of India begins probe into the incident, Scindia calls it ‘unfortunate’ Modi further laid down five resolves for India. “In coming years, we’ve to focus on ‘Panchpran’- First, to move forward with bigger resolves & resolve of developed India; Second, erase all traces of servitude; Third, be proud of our legacy; Fourth, strength of unity & Fifth, duties of citizens which includes the PM and CMs,” Modi said. The Prime Minister also stressed on the need to respect women. He further added that the countrymen must work towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India), and that we must remove any vestiges of colonialism, and ret...