Seniors yearn for more connect in Independence Day celebrations

All Indians look forward to Independence Day celebrations. It is a day to be cherished because on this day India became free. Many things have not changed since the first Independence Day celebrations, but some have. Mehak Minocha and Manav Taunk spoke to five seniors regarding the 77^th Independence Day Celebrations. Their views on Independence Day and how it has changed:

Mr. Harpal Singh, 87, Hissar, Haryana

Q. Which Independence Day celebration you remember most and why?

A. The Independence Day I remember most vividly is the first one – August 15,1947. I was 10 years old at the time and was living in Lahore with my family. The city used to be a home of different cultures and religions, but as Independence Day drew nearer, the air was filled with tension and fear. It was all good until we heard the announcement of independence which came with the news of partition, and suddenly, the joy of freedom was overshadowed by the horrors of violence and displacement.

My family decided to leave Lahore and move to Delhi as the whole city was now filled with violence and the place we once called home and the people we loved was no more ours. We left everything behind – our home, our belongings, our memories. Our neighbours in Lahore helped us take a train to Delhi, the journey was filled with danger at every step. We witnessed unspeakable violence, but we were fortunate to survive and reach Delhi safely.

I remember the first Independence Day clearly. There were no grand celebrations for us, only the relief of having made it through alive. We stood in a refugee camp in Delhi, watching the flag being hoisted. Not only us but everyone at the refugee camp had tears in their eyes- not just for the freedom we had gained, but for the lives and the world we had lost. That day was a mixture of pride, pain, and uncertainty about what the future would hold.

Q.  Do you see any change in the way Independence Day is celebrated today compared to earlier times?

A. Yes, there is a huge change in the way Independence Day is celebrated over the years. In our times, the memories of partition and the struggle for freedom was fresh in everyone’s mind. It was not just a celebration; it was a moment of deep thought and remembering. We would gather as families, share stories, and talk about the sacrifices that were made. There was a sense of grief with a pride of being free.

Today, the celebrations have become a festival. There are parades, cultural performances and media coverage on a grand scale which is wonderful to see. However, I sometimes feel that the emotional connection to the day have faded. It has become just another public holiday, a day off work or school, rather than a time to remember the struggles of the past.

Q.  How would you like Independence Day to be celebrated?

A. I would like Independence Day to be celebrated as a day to remember and honour the sacrifices that were made for our freedom. I would love to see people focusing more on educating the younger generation about the history of our independence and the people and their struggles through those times. Let them know what it took to achieve this freedom so that they can value and protect it. I also believe people should come together to do something meaningful. Use this day to help those in need, to plant trees, to do anything that contributes to the betterment of our society. Let it be a day when we not only celebrate our freedom but also take responsibility for the kind of country we want to live in.

Mrs. Renu Sharma, 83, retired English teacher, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.   

Q. Which Independence Day celebration you remember most and why?

A. It was the one in 1965. I was just a young teacher in my mid-twenties, at a government school in Lucknow. It had been a few years since independence, but the air was still filled with the excitement of being free from the British rule. The school where I taught had organised a grand event. I remember the flag hoisting with the beautiful tricolour flowing with the wind. But what made it unforgettable was the speech given by a student, a young girl of Class VII. She spoke with such passion and clarity about what independence meant to her, about her dreams for a new India where education would be a right for every child, regardless of their background. I was so touched to witness such a small girl filled with so much wisdom and respect. Her words moved everyone to tears including myself. It wasn’t just her words, but the hope she carried is what touched us. This was the day I saw the true spirit of independence.

Q.  Do you see any change in the way Independence Day is celebrated today compared to earlier times?

A. Yes, there have been changes. Back then, Independence Day was a deeply personal experience for many. The celebrations were simple but heartfelt – hoisting the flag, singing patriotic songs, and sharing stories of freedom fighters.

Today, the celebrations have become more grand due to the huge media coverage. It’s beautiful to see the pride in a nation expressed in such vibrant ways. However, I feel that sometimes the true essence of what we should be celebrating gets overshadowed by such shows. The younger generations may not fully grasp the true meaning of our independence.

Q. How would you like Independence Day to be celebrated?

A. I would like people to teach the younger generation more about our history, not just through textbooks but through stories, place, and community activities that brings out what the past was really like. For me, Independence is not just about being free from foreign rule; it’s about being responsible citizens, about being free from ignorance, inequality, and injustice. I would like to see Independence Day celebrated with acts of kindness, compassion, and a commitment to the beliefs that our freedom fighters believed in. We must always remember independence is a gift, but it’s also a responsibility. Celebrate it by being the best version of yourselves, by contributing to your country in ways that go beyond just one day.

Mr. MK Singh, 63, Faculty in a senior secondary private school, Nawada. Bihar

Q. Which Independence Day celebration you remember most and why?

A. I still remember the Independence Day celebrations of 1974. In the absence of our teacher at the village primary school, we organized a morning procession that not only passed through the village lanes but also went about 2 kilometers outside the village. Then, passing through the premises of the nearby government high school, we returned to the village, hoisted the national flag in the school courtyard, sang the national anthem, and went back home. We were surprised, when next day, our teacher scolded us, asking, “Why did you go so far?” But for me that procession will be etched in my mind forever.

Q. Do you see any change in the way Independence Day is celebrated today compared to earlier times?

A. Earlier, Independence Day was filled with a sense of nationalism and patriotism, but today, there is less patriotism and love for the nation and more of a political agenda. However, this shouldn’t be the case, as the nation is paramount, and everything else comes after it.

Q. How would you like Independence Day to be celebrated?

A. The way Independence Day is celebrated today leaves me unhappy. Nowadays, the flag is often hoisted by the same people who have repeatedly misled the public against their own interests. They have built their wealth using government funds, have been imprisoned for scams worth crores, and have no concern for the joys and sorrows of the people. Yet, today, these people parade around as patriots.

Mrs. Manju Devi, 55, Housewife, Nawada, Bihar

Q. Which Independence Day celebration you remember most and why?

A. Every Independence Day has been significant in my life, but the Independence Day of 1994 was memorable and will always stay in my memories. This was because, on that day, my son performed on stage for the first time at his school. It was also the first time I saw him perform. That moment was filled with pride and joy for me, and it is one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

Q. Do you see any change in the way Independence Day is celebrated today compared to earlier times?

A. There seems to be a lack of enthusiasm among people today when it comes to Independence Day. Nowadays, people don’t celebrate Independence Day with the same spirit as it was celebrated before. Many simply share Independence Day greetings on their phones, pretending to celebrate Independence Day. Perhaps there is a lack of patriotism among people today. They treat Independence Day as just another holiday and don’t remember the martyrs or bow down in respect for their sacrifices. People don’t connect with each other either. This is a matter of concern.

Q. How would you like Independence Day to be celebrated?

A. The true meaning of freedom is that every person can do what they wish according to their desires, and to a large extent, I am satisfied with this. However, people should take time to remember the soldiers, martyrs, and freedom fighters of the country and awaken genuine patriotism. It’s important to teach future generations about the efforts and sacrifices made for our freedom.

Mr. Vijay Shankar Prasad, owner of a self-study library in Nawada, Bihar.

Q. Which Independence Day celebration you remember most and why?

A. I remember Independence Day in 1992 because that year, I participated in the school parade with my friends, and on the same day, I received an award for good conduct in school.

Q. Do you see any change in the way Independence Day is celebrated today compared to earlier times?

A. I see many differences between Independence Day in the past and today. Earlier, people seemed excited about Independence Day, but now there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm. In the past, people would wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and go to their school or office to hoist the flag. Nowadays, people treat this day as a holiday and consider it a day to relax. Also, people now greet each other on their phones instead of meeting them.

Q. How would you like Independence Day to be celebrated?

A. I am completely satisfied with the way Independence Day is celebrated today. Even now, students in schools are excited to hoist the flag. Patriotic songs still play in every street, and people remember the soldiers and martyrs. Additionally, people still look forward to listening to the Prime Minister’s speech on Independence Day.

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