India became independent on 15th August, 1947 after a long struggle. Jawaharlal Nehru, who had spent the prime of his life in British jails while fighting against the mighty British Empire, became the first Prime Minister of India and hoisted the Indian flag, tricolor, on the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi at 12:00 pm as the zero hour for 15th August started on this date in 1947.
He called the moment India’s “tryst with destiny”. Since then 15th August is celebrated every year as Independence Day. The main festival is held in Delhi. The Prime Minister of India hoists the tricolor early in the morning on the ramparts of the Red Fort before a mammoth gathering of Indian and foreign dignitaries, VIPs and common people.
He makes a speech from behind a bullet proof glass cabin. In his speech, he explains the achievements and policies of the government and highlights the projects in hand. He lists the major problems of the country and how the government wants to address and harness them.
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Small functions are held in all towns and cities and even in some big villages. In state capitals, the Chief Ministers and at other places Governors and other dignitaries such as Deputy Commissioners, senior police officers, Mayors of Municipal Corporation, etc. hoist the national flag.
In schools and colleges the Presidents of Managing Committees or Principals of the institutions concerned do the ceremony. In all cases, the function always ends with the recitation of the National Anthem with due respect and regard.