Independence Day: Holiday or Responsibility? The Changing Color of Freedom

15th August comes every year. We get a holiday, offices and colleges are closed, and for many, it becomes a long weekend plan. But is this the real meaning of Independence Day? Once this day used to ignite the spark of sacrifice, unity and pride in people's hearts. Today, we move ahead by posting a tricolour DP and a post or two on social media. The question is has that old culture, that enthusiasm been lost? Or has it just changed our perspective?



Independence Day is not just a date. it is a celebration of our freedom, which we got at the cost of millions of sacrifices.

On 15 August 1947, India got independence from British rule, but do today's youth know that this was not just a day of change of power, but it was the moment when the 200-year-old chains of slavery broke.

Today this day has become like a monthly holiday for us, but the hidden message behind it is we are free, so we can dream, speak our mind, live our life in our own way.



Many people plan for a long weekend trip on 15 August. Tourism industry figures show that hotel bookings increase by up to 25% around Independence Day.

It is not wrong to travel, but the question is can't we give even an hour for our country on this day?

After hoisting the flag in the morning, spending the rest of the day with family, telling stories of independence to children or distributing sweets at a nearby government school is also a celebration only the method needs to be changed.



Remember the school parade in childhood, the principal's speech, distributing laddus and singing 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha'?

The days when every child would run with the tricolour in hand.

Today this tradition has faded in many schools, with online classes and community events reducing the ground level connection of children.

If we do not tell our children the importance of the tricolour and stories of sacrifice, Independence Day will just remain a hashtag for the coming generation.



Patriotism does not mean just giving speeches, writing posts or singing songs but doing something for the country.

For example

• If we do not spread garbage on the road, then this is also patriotism.
• If we pay taxes honestly, then this is also patriotism.
• If we help others, then this is also patriotism.

Mahatma Gandhi had said-"Be the change you wish to see in the world" that is, if we want the country to be good, then the change has to start from our actions.



Every year on Independence Day, social media is filled with the DP of the tricolor.

This is good, but the country does not change just by changing the DP.

There are 82 crore internet users in India if even 1% of these people do a good deed on that day, then 82 lakh good deeds can be done in a day.

Go beyond filters and frames and use social media in the real world as well like sharing a helpline number, promoting the work of an NGO or motivating people to donate blood.



Our country did not get freedom overnight.

From the revolution of 1857 to Jallianwala Bagh, Champaran Movement, Dandi March and Quit India Movement thousands of people lost their lives, lakhs went to jail.

Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose these are not just names, but people who gave their youth to the country.

We got this freedom so that we can take our own decisions but are we handling it the way our ancestors wanted?



We can take a small but effective oath on this day.

• Reduce the use of plastic
• Plant a tree every month
• Help a child in studies
• Follow traffic rules

All these things sound small, but if every citizen follows them, the picture of the country can change. On 15th August, have a Promise Ceremony with your friends and family so that this day is not only memorable but also effective



Independence Day is still celebrated with great enthusiasm in villages patriotic songs on loudspeakers from morning, parade in school, hoisting the flag at the village square.

This can happen in cities too, but the rush and busy lifestyle has weakened it.

If we organize a small program in our locality, involve children, invite elders, then this enthusiasm can return again.



Patriotism is no longer limited to those who fight on the border.

Today's patriot is one who is honest in his work, who brings positive change in the society.

A teacher who teaches children and builds their future, a doctor who treats without greed, a sanitation worker who keeps the roads clean early in the morning all these are real patriots.



We have got freedom, but it is our responsibility to take care of it.

If we break traffic signals, violate the law, take part in corruption then this is an insult to freedom.

The real meaning of patriotism is doing your part of the work honestly, so that the coming generations can say with pride that we are true free Indians.

Freedom is not a weekend getaway, it is a wealth that we have earned through blood, sweat and sacrifice. On Independence Day, we should not just enjoy the holiday, but also feel the fragrance of the soil of the country, the honor of the tricolor and our share of responsibility. Otherwise, even after being free, we will remain 'free only on paper'.

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