Happy Independence Day India! It was a hard struggle and well worth it. When I visited India in 1997 there was a new movie being shown, called in English simply “Indian.” This movie gave some insights into just how hard that struggle was. It was a bit uncomfortable being in the theater that day, being only one of a handful of white faces in a roomful of Indians being whipped up into a patriotic frenzy by such an exciting movie.
India gained its independence from Great Britian in 1947. India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 and is a national holiday in India. The national flag is flown with pride and the Prime Minister delivers a television broadcast speech from the Red Fort in New Delhi. The struggle of the freedom fighters is never forgotten.
When I travelled in India I could see evidence of the remembrance of the freedom fighters at nearly every large train station. This special group of people, a dwindling population now due to old age, receives respect in the form of special lines at train stations and special seats on trains. A small token of gratitude to people who risked their lives for the freedom of all.
