Independence Day of India marks the end of colonial rule, and this year India celebrates 75 glorious years of freedom. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India began celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav 75 weeks before, which began on March 12, 2021 and will now see its culmination on August 15, 2022.
To make this year's celebration all the more remarkable, British Indians are also following PM Modi's suggestion of pinning the national flag on social media, websites and at every home with austerity. In his Mann ki Baat program last month, PM Narendra Modi appealed to people to change their social media profiles to that of the tricolour between August 2-15.
"August 2 is a special day... I have changed my social media DP (display picture), and I urge you to do so," PM Modi said in a tweet.
It is indeed heart-warming to find British Indians living far away from their country are deeply rooted in their values. It can be seen in various social media groups men and women are encouraging each other to participate in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' movement, as advocated by PM Modi.
Hoisting the Indian National Flag is also being planned with great patriotic fervour in every household and small and big diaspora group.
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Celebrations by various prominent organisations around the UK have already started from the beginning of August and go well into September.
The Bhavan Centre in London celebrated the Independence Day of India with a grand event of illuminating speeches by special guests and cultural performances. The audience was then treated to melodious patriotic songs in Bengali, Hindi, and Tamil and concluded with scintillating Bharatanatyam and Kathak performances by The Bhavan's students.
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The CGI office of Edinburgh, Scotland, will be hosting two separate events commemorating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and India's Independence Day. On August 15, a small gathering and flag hoisting ceremony will be followed by a larger event on September 3, at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh. Both the events will be open to the public, and will include cultural shows, discussions, and refreshments, informed the Office of the Consul General.
One of the most prominent women's groups in the British Indian community with a strong foothold in several states in India, Inspiring Indian Women (IIW), is working actively to support Indian women and children both in India and the UK. They have organised a stationary donation drive for underprivileged children in Santa Cruz (E) Mumbai on August 17.
In the UK, IIW, in association with not-for-profit advisory e-learning organisation AAIS, has organised for Independence Day Talent show. Above 50 young participants from around the globe have taken part in it. The show will be virtually screened on August 13.
MP Bob Blackman, Hindi Attache of HCI, UK Dr Nandita Sahu and Deputy High Commissioner of Kenya, Mr. Rohit Vadhwana have been invited as chief Guests. Other prominent guests and panel members will be present to grace the occasion. This show aims to promote and instil Indian culture, history, Freedom movements and the significance of India's Independence Day to the next generations.
Also, on September 2, Shanatan Shakti, in association with Indradhanush Kids and IIW, has organised a cultural evening of music, dance and drama at the Nehru Centre, London. The event titled 'Bharat ke Veer' (Brave Warriors of India) will be a free event starting from 5:30 PM. It will include life stories and bravery of warriors and freedom fighters of India like Jhansi ki Rani Laxmi Bai, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, Ahalya Bai Holkar and many others.
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*Info: AAIS Learning, IIW, Nehru Centre, The Bhavan London