At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to new…
These lines, from Pandit Nehru’s speech on the night of India’s independence, will even today give goosebumps to any Indian who listens to them. If you talk to your parents or grandparents, people who lived through that era, they will probably tell you of the pride they felt, to grow up in a newly independent India.
On 15th August 2023, of course, it would be 76 years since we gained this hard-won independence. But do we still celebrate it with the same passion as our elders used to do? Or has freedom become something we take for granted, and Independence Day just another holiday?
On 15th August this year, don’t ask yourself “Should I take Monday off to make it an extra-long weekend?”. Ask, “What can I do for India on Independence Day?”. How can I celebrate it in a way that pays respect to our history and heritage? What gift can I give to India on her 76th birthday?
Hit the music and read on!
Know your history
Our past makes us who we are. If we are not connected to our roots, we lose a part of ourselves. Understand what it took to gain freedom, take pride in it, never forget it, and pass it on to future generations.
Books
There are numerous great books that deal with various facets of modern Indian history. An Era of Darkness by Shashi Tharoor gives a sharp insight into how British rule damaged India for 2 centuries. Freedom at Midnight, although a non-fiction account of the freedom struggle, is as thrilling as any Jeffery Archer bestseller. My Experiments with Truth, by Mahatma Gandhi, is something every Indian should read. And if you’re more interested in how we have built this great nation up since independence, Ramachandra Guha’s India after Gandhi is an excellent read.
For younger readers or adults who love comics, there is the evergreen Amar Chitra Katha. History Collection, Brave Women of India Collection, or, Freedom Pack are all great places to begin your journey. You can also buy single titles, and some are even available as much cheaper (or free!) Kindle versions.
Movies and TV Series
Growing up, Independence Day wouldn’t be complete without watching Border on cable TV. Today, of course, OTT has replaced cable, and Border is far from the only option. The below infographic lists the highest-rated patriotic movies available on OTT in India according to IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. While not all of the recommendations below are based on true events, all of them are guaranteed to make your chest swell with patriotic pride.
And if you’d like to make this experience bigger, and maybe share it with friends and family, you can rent projectors and projector screens easily, at least in metro cities, from Rentzeasy, OLX, or Rentsewa.
Videos
If you’d like something a bit more educational in video format, YouTube is your friend. There is a ton of great stuff there, but if you’re looking to start your exploration, we highly recommend Odd Compass, and Dynasties of India playlist.
Celebrate your culture
Take this day to step back and appreciate the timelessness, richness and diversity of our culture. Every passing day, we become a bit less Indian, a bit more global. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, but it’s good to celebrate our uniqueness too 😊.
Dress Traditional
Celebrate the elegance and diversity of Indian fabrics, attires, and designs. There’s beauty in simplicity, and simple white khadi or cotton kurtas/kurtis or sarees can be gentle reminders to ourselves to follow Gandhiji’s ideals of “simple living, high thinking”. If you like, sport a vibrant tricolor dupatta or stole alongside, or accessorize with gorgeous tricolor bracelets, brooches, or earrings from local brands.
Appreciate our heritage
Attend a cultural program, play, poetry recitation, etc. For major cities, Bookmyshow and Paytm Insider provide an excellent, up-to-date calendar of events, and hassle-free online booking where available. For other cities, your local newspaper may carry these listings.
Visit local monuments
Take a cultural tour of your city. Probably you are already familiar with the major monuments, but a refresher doesn’t hurt 😊. In keeping with the theme of the day, maybe start with some places associated with our freedom struggle. The visual below shows some of the most popular ones, but each city has it’s own lesser known histories – just waiting for the explorer in you to seek them out.
Make the world better
Every great journey begins with a single step. And as the famous RDB dialogue goes, no country is perfect – it has to be made perfect. Ask yourself what is a problem India today faces – and how you can do your bit to improve the situation.
Clean up, green up!
Understand the problems caused by lack of cleanliness. Thousands of people die every year because of unhygienic living conditions. If you think of the overall monetary impact, the number is staggeringly huge. This is why Swachch Bharat Abhiyan is so important. Learn about how you can keep the country clean, and do your bit. You can find more about some NGOs that are working in this space, and contact them to understand how you can get involved.
Grow a plant in your front yard, on rooftop garden or apartment balcony. Or go outside and plant a tree in an empty area. Understand which trees you can plant in cities. You can buy high quality seeds/ plants as well as find a lot of educational resources at Ugaoo.com. Make it a project with your family, friends, neighbours, or even work colleagues. As the tree grows, so will your bond, and so will your pride.
Contribute
While we can always do our bit, some problems are better solved at a larger scale. If you wish to contribute but are not sure how, donate to an organization that is dedicated to a cause that resonates with you. Akshay Patra, Goonj, and Child Relief and You are some of the biggest NGOs in the country doing great work in their respective fields. Also worth noting is the PM India National Defence Fund, which has been set up by the government for the welfare of the members of the armed forces and their dependents. You can donate to the NDF through this link.
Inspire
If you’re educated, if you’re doing well financially, if you’re loved – share your privilege with Indians that are not so fortunate. Kids are the future of any country – but many don’t have the resources or support to realize their full potential. But do you know what can sometimes make up for the lack of these? Motivation. Inspiration. A burning desire to do something great. What can you do to kindle that spark in someone? Can you go to a local orphanage and talk to the kids about what India is doing well today? Can you talk about our history? Or maybe show them a movie, or gift some books? Or give someone the gift of education, either directly, or through local charities.
Be a better Indian
Finally, simply try to be a better human being every day. Be honest, refuse to give or take bribes, be respectful, be kind, be courageous, and stand up against injustice. Better citizens automatically make for a better country. Make a resolution and follow it. If you want, share your ideas and thoughts with those close to you, and inspire them too. This is the best gift you can give India.
And most importantly, stand up to the national anthem, salute the Tiranga. Feel the pride of being a part of one of the greatest nations in the world, and look forward with optimism. If you know someone who has served in the armed forces, or their families, visit them and show your gratitude. Jai Hind!
If you like our content, you can also follow us on Instagram and YouYube.
Giftonomy 