INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2017

Bharat Mata ki Jay. Vande Mataram. I congratulate everybody on our 71^st Independence Day. Independence Day is an annual observance, celebrated every year on 15^th of August. Hindustan’s Independence Day is a day of great significance for the people of our country. On this day, our Hindustan got freedom from the British rule after long years of slavery. It has been declared as the National and Gazetted Holiday all across the country in order to independently commemorate our independence from British Empire on 15^th of August in 1947. It was not so easy for us to get freedom from the Britishers. However, various great people and freedom fighters of this soil made it a truth. They had sacrificed their lives in attaining the freedom for their future generations without worrying about their comfort, rest and freedom. They planned and acted upon various Independence movements including violent and nonviolent resistance to get complete freedom. Bharatiya subcontinent was outpost by some European traders during 17^th century. It was again annexed by British East India Company because of the later’s big military strength. They established their local kingdoms and effective forces all through our country during 18^th century. The very first freedom struggle on Hindustani land against British colonialism was erupted from my native province, Odisha in 1817. This fight is termed by some historians as the ‘Paika Vidroh’. But, it was the first ever organized freedom fight against the English in our country fought by the irresistible brave ‘Paika’ community of Odisha. Being the convener of the ‘Odisha Swabhiman’, along with a valiant group of Odia youths, I attempted to rejuvenate the historic bravery and war tactics, the ‘Paikas’ used to exhibit frightening the then invincible English army. Since the inception of ‘Odisha Swabhiman’, besides arranging several ‘Paika Akhadaas’ (Martial Art Exhibitions & Competitions). I have been urging the Government to term the Paikas’ war of independence (1817) as the first Indian freedom fight against Britishers by rewriting our history. One can read my latest article on the issue clicking on the link, http://www.postmannews.com/paika-not-rebels-but-freedom-fighters-of-indias-ist-war-for-independence-not-received-its-rightful-place-yet/ Another revolution was started by the Hindustanis against the British rule in 1857. That ‘Rebellion’ is called as the Revolt of 1857, the Indian Mutiny, the Uprising of 1857 and the Sepoy Mutiny. It was started against British East India Company’s army at Bengal Presidency on 10^th of May in 1857. Through that Rebellion (Government of India Act 1858), Indian freedom fighters made British Crown realized to free the control over Hindustani. However, later Pakistan was partitioned from Hindustan which was accompanied by violent riots. That horrible riot was the reason of mass casualties and dislocation of people (more than 15 million) from their homes. On this day, all the national, states and local government’s offices, banks, post offices, markets, stores, businesses, organizations, etc remain closed. However, public transport is totally unaffected. It is celebrated in our capital city, New Delhi with big enthusiasm. It is also celebrated in all the schools, colleges and other educational institutions by the students and teachers including public community and society. This year in 2017, Hindustan are celebrating the 71^st Independence Day to pay tribute and remember all the freedom fighters who had contributed a lot and fought for our independence.