India Completes 62 Years of Independence:

Celebrating Freedom
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At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life
and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out
from the old to the new...India discovers herself again.
By Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
It was on 15th August 1947, when India won freedom from the British Raj
and thus was the beginning of a new era where India arose as a free nation. The
Independence Day commemorates the birth of the world's biggest Democracy, India
and this day holds a very unique significance in the Indian history.
The Indian Independence struggle had many important chapters including the
Revolt of 1857, Jalianawala Bagh massacre, Non-cooperation Movement to the
Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. India went through a long journey that
had numerous national and regional drives and the two main weapons used were truth
and non-violence.
This day is also an occasion to rejoice our freedom and to pay homage to all
those martyrs who sacrificed their great lives for the cause of Nation. The
Independence Day fills the heart of every Indian with Nationalism, solidarity and
fidelity.

Orissa in the War of Independence:

In the First War of Independence in 1857, Orissa like other parts of
India actively participated in the war. The great patriots of Orissa
took the lead in this historic event, a few names are Ram Krushna
Samanta Singhar, Chaki Khuntia, Surendra Sai, Madho Singh, Arjun
Singh, Jagabandhu Patnaik, Utkal Mani Gopabandhu Das, Utkal
Gourv Madhusudan Das, Buxi Jagabandhu and a few others. It was the opening scene
of the long drama of India's Freedom Struggle.
In this context we recall the sublime sacrifice of Jayee Rajaguru in 1804, who
was brutally assassinated by the 'feringis' hanging him reversely knitting his legs with
the branches of two trees. The subsequent battle was launched by the dreaded 'Paikas'
of Khordha region. This convulsion is popularly described in history as Paika
Bidroha to reckon with during the mid second decade of
Nineteenth century.
In this realm the name of Buxi Jagabandhu
Bidyadhar, Madhu babu, Gopabandhu Das, Harekrushna
Mahatab, Nilakantha Das, Baji Raut, Subhas Chandra
Bose, Naba Krushna Chaudhuri, Malati Chaudhuri,
Rama Devi and Sarala Devi, Prabhavati Devi, Pandit
Laxmi Narain Mishra shines in the galaxy, whose dedication and personality is yet a
household name in Orissa.
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Celebrations in Orissa:
This year, India celebrates the 63rd Independence
Day. This Day is a day when we pay homage to our great
national leaders and heroic freedom fighters - who made
many sacrifices, including giving up their lives to liberate
India from foreign control.
The Independence Day is celebrated with full flavor, ardent devotion and
immense patriotism throughout the country. Schools and colleges celebrate this
sanctimonious day with cultural activities, drills and flag hoisting. The Chief Minister
hoists the Tricolour at the Mahatama Gandhi Marg (PMG Square), followed by the
National Anthem & National Song, at State Capital,
Bhubaneswar. He also addresses the State, highlighting
the achievements of the State during the past year and
gives a call for further development. With this he also
pays tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle, and bows
to their contributions in freedom struggle. Celebrations
on a smaller scale are held by educational institutions,
residential associations, cultural centers and political constituencies.
As the tri-colour flutters in the sky, let each citizen promise to work hard to
bring glory to the country and reach the goal of making India a great nation that
stands for human values.

'Jai Hind'
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