Independence Day & Festivals Of August

Independence Day is not just a day for Indian citizens, it is a feeling of patriotism and freedom. On this day Indians achieve their freedom and the day mark the end of the British Empire in India.

Every year the country rejoices and celebrates the end of British rule in the nation. This day reminds all citizens of India of the sacrifices made by the liberation fighter, the blood and sweat shed by every Indian freedom fighter paid the glory of their Independence from the British Empire.

On August 15 the whole nation remembers all the struggles made by the freedom fighters to defeat the mighty British empire. In 1757 the British Rule began in India, preceded by the victory of the English East India Company in the Battle of Plassey and gained control of the country. For nearly a century the East India Company took power in India and the British crown crowned Indian Mutiny in 1857-58.

The Indian liberation movement began during World War I. The liberation movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi, who promoted nonviolence, non-alignment, and cooperation which was followed by a disobedient movement. The British Prime Minister Clement Atlee on February 20, 1947, announced that the British Empire in India would end on June 30, 1948, which would lead to the transfer of power to a responsible Indian man. The announcement was followed by the fullness of the Muslim League and demanded the partition of the country.

Since then Indians and the Indian economy have seen various battles, poverty rise, civil wars, droughts, war with China and Pakistan. Ongoing border conflicts, but besides all this India continued the race of modernization and growth, this all was possible due to continues hard work and dedication that countrymen provide without doubting the system that runs India. After globalization hit the world, India took advantage and offer highly skilled and cheap labours to the world. This has attracted some giant companies all over the world to set up their work station in India, which in return gives a boost to employment and the GDP of the country.

In the 21st century, India is emerging as a World superpower, though the current ongoing COVID-19 situation asked many questions to us and our system. We need to deal with them soon so that the pace which we have attended in past of growth does not get diminished.

Now let us talk of another very important festival celebrated in August that is Raakshabandhan. Purnima Tithi (full moon day) of the month of Shravan is important in the Hindu calendar. The day is celebrated as Raksha Bandhan, an ancient important festival that celebrates the bond between a brother and sister. On this day, siblings come together to perform rituals of rakhi, enjoy a feast, exchange gifts, and reminisce about childhoodmemories. And most important, the sisters tied a sacred cord called a rakhi on the right

his thread symbolises the bond and strength/protection that can ward off all kinds of threats. Therefore, sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers and, in turn, get showered with gifts and blessings. Raksha means protection, and in some places in medieval India, where women felt insecure, they tied Rakhi to the wrists of men, taking them as his brothers. In this way, Rakhi strengthens the bond of love between his brothers and sisters, and this restores the bond of affection. The Brahmins change their sacred cord (Janaoi) on this day and devote themselves to reading the scriptures. Another important festival of August month is Krishna Janmashtami. Janmashtami is a Hindu festival. It can be known as Gokulashtami or Sreekrishna Jayanthi in some places.

According to the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is celebrated by Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha (two dark weeks) in the month of Sravana or Badad (in the Hindu calendar, there is a lunar eclipse once every three years)

Dahi Handi is a big part of Janmashtami's celebration and in this event, a 'pot' or pot of clay, full of 'dahi' and 'makkhan' hangs on high. A group of young boys formed a large pyramid of men and tried to break the 'hand' to reach the 'makkhan' inside.