Interesting Facts about Independence Day

India is going to celebrate its Independence Day very soon and the preparations for this occasion is going on in full swing at every part of the country. 15^th August 1947, the most important day of Indian History, the day India got back his freedom from the brutal British Rule.

People of various languages, religions, creed, and castes live in this country in perfect harmony which makes India a diverse and secular country in a true sense.

We all are well aware of the sacrifice and struggle that the freedom fighters did to give the citizens of the country freedom.

But there are different other facts linked to the Independence Day of India which most of us do not know well.

Some such surprising and interesting facts of Independence Day are as followed:-

• The British East India Company actually came to India in 1600 as a trading company to trade products like cotton, tea, and Later, this trading company turned into the political ruler of this country.
• The first Governor-General of India and the Last Viceroy of India was Lord Mountbatten. He chose the date ‘August 15’ in resemblance of the day on which at the end of World War II Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces, it was 15^th August
• Along with India, Bahrain, South Korea, North Korea, Republic of Congo and Liechtenstein celebrate 15^th August as Independence Day.
• Mahatma Gandhi thought to dismiss the Indian National Congress when the country achieved Independence. In a draft resolution just before the day he passed away, he mentioned that the INC has lost its purpose after the aim of independence has been gained. He wrote that India may have been divided into two to attain political independence by the methods adopted by Indian National Congress, the party in the shape and form which it had at that time, that is a machine of parliament and propaganda vehicle has outlived the purpose.
• Though Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of Independent India, he was not the absolute choice for this role. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel secured majority through votes but Nehru was reluctant to be subordinate and to be the second to anyone. When Sardar Patel was requested by Mahatma Gandhi, the former stepped down, as Gandhi had a soft corner for Nehru.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India became a style icon globally. He earned an esteemed place in the popular fashion magazine, Vogue, because of his ‘Nehru’ jacket.
• At the time of Independence, there was no National Anthem fixed for India. Rabindranath Tagore wrote ‘Jana Gana Mana’ in 1911 and later in 1950, it was adopted as the National Anthem of India.
• Hansa Mehta represented Free India’s Parliament on behalf of all the women of India.
• In 1947, the value of the Indian rupee was equivalent to Dollar (Re 1= $1). At present it is Rs 72.08= $1.

To make the national flag of India, only Khadi can be used as per law. The right for manufacturing the flag is held by Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission. They allocate the national flags to regional groups. The legal punishment for flying a national flag made of any other material than Khadi is a fine and three years of imprisonment.