New Delhi: There was confusion among the general public as to whether the 75th Independence Day or 76th Independence Day was celebrated yesterday.
The 75th anniversary of the country’s independence was celebrated as Azadi Ka Amrit Makot Chav. For this purpose, the central government had organized celebrations in the name of Har Khar Tiranga (tricolor flag at every house).
However, there was confusion among the people whether the ceremony celebrated yesterday was the 75th Independence Day or the 76th Independence Day. Many people have raised questions about this on social media like Twitter and Facebook. Some had posted on their social media pages that this was the 75th Independence Day and some the 76th Independence Day.
As we reach a new milestone of 75 years of independence from the British rule, this year, many such questions have arisen among people.
In March last year, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a program called the Independence Day Amruth Festival (Azadi Ka Amrit Makhotsav) to mark India’s 75th Independence Day. It started as a 75-week countdown program to celebrate the 75th Independence Day across the country.
After more than 200 years of British rule, India got its independence on August 15, 1947 at midnight after many sacrifices and many struggles.
Accordingly, India celebrated its first Independence Day in 1948. It celebrated 10th Independence Day in 1957, 20th Independence Day in 1967 and 30th Independence Day in 1977.
1997, the 50th consecutive Independence Day, was celebrated across the country as the Golden Jubilee. Following this, the 70th Independence Day was celebrated in 2017. Hence, it was announced that India will celebrate its 75th Independence Day in the year 2022.
But if we count how many independence days the country has celebrated since its independence, it will be 76. Because we celebrated our first Independence Day in 1947.
Commentary by Scholars
So, if you look at any Independence Day, what was celebrated yesterday was the 75th Independence Day. Scholars have explained that if we look at the number of times we have celebrated Independence Day, yesterday’s celebration will be the 76th Independence Day.
So, it is right that the country has completed 75 years of independence. Hence, the 75th anniversary was celebrated yesterday in the name of Azadi Ka Amrit Makhotsav. If we take into account the celebrations of Independence Day by the people of the country, yesterday’s celebration should be taken as the 76th Independence Day.