India Independence Day 2024: When and How to Celebrate?

On the occasion of Independence Day in India, the nation looks back into the past to celebrate the freedom enjoyed in the county and also to acknowledge the long struggle and discord that preceded it.

That said, let us take a closer look at how the nation and its people celebrate this highly significant commemoration of Independence Day in 2024.

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India Independence Day 2024 date

Every year, India celebrates its Independence Day on 15 August. In 2024, 15 August will fall on a Thursday.

India Independence Day 2024 theme

The theme for the 76th Independence Day in India was ‘Nation First, Always First,’ which will be held as part of the events under ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav.’

The theme for the 77th Independence Day in 2024 is yet to be announced.

India Independence Day History

After many years of struggle, the Indians demanded that the Britishers give up their hold of the country. Mountbatten, the last British governor-general of India, transferred the power to India on 15 August 1947 and justified it by saying that he did not want bloodshed or riots.

Jawaharlal Nehru declared India’s independence on 15 August 1947. He was then sworn in as the first Prime Minister of India. Freedom fighters and patriots like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rani Lakshmi Bai, and others played a huge role in the process that led India to her victorious independence.

Till 1947, India celebrated 26 January as Independence Day. However, this was the exact date on which, in 1950, the country adopted the Indian Constitution and later became a republic; thus, 26 January is now celebrated as Republic Day.

India’s national flag

India’s national flag was initially designed by Pingali Venkayya, an educationist and freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh. The flag was first hoisted by the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi.

The tricolour flag has a particular symbolism and meaning attached to all the elements on the banner. The 3 colours represent the following:

• Saffron: courage and sacrifice
• White: truth, peace and purity
• Green: prosperity

The blue-coloured ‘Ashok Chakra’ with 24 spokes in the flag’s centre represents the cycle of life.

The amended law of the Flag Code of India 2002 states that the tricolour flag can be hoisted in the open at the house of public day and night. There is no restriction on the display of the Indian national flag by members of the general public, educational institutions, private organizations, etc., provided they do so with the dignity and honour of the national flag.

How is Independence Day celebrated in India?

Several events are held nationwide to mark India’s Independence Day, including flag-raising ceremonies, drills, reciting the National Anthem – Jana Gana Mana and speeches by the Prime Minister and President of India. The main events observed on this occasion are the flag-raising ceremony and parade at the Red Fort (a historical monument in India’s capital).

Every year, the government of India hosts various campaigns throughout the country that lead up to Independence Day. On 15 August 2022, the Indian Prime Minister emphasized the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ program to encourage Indian citizens to bring home the national flag and hoist it to commemorate the 75th year of India’s independence.

Although the struggle for India’s freedom was a long haul that took almost 200 years of bloodshed and uprising, Independence Day every year is a reminder. It allows people to look back on history and understand how the nation became what it is today.