Independence day Highlights : August 15, 2016
Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Independence Day. Independence
Day, is annually observed on 15 August as a national
holiday in India commemorating the nation’s independence from
the British Empire on 15 August 1947. Here are few points to
remember and some events to note down on the eve of the 70th Independence
day of India.
Highlights:
1.Key Points of Narendra
Modi’s speech on 70th Independence Day Celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi addressed the nation from the bulwarks of Red Fort in New Delhi on
the occasion of 70th Independence Day today.
- Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s speech on Independence Day made it clear that he has
completely rerouted his policy on Pakistan with aggressive comments
referring toPakistan’s human rights abuses in its large province of
Balochistan as well as Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
- Speaking for
over 90 minutes, Prime Minister Modi touched upon the achievements of
his government over the last two years and stressed that the only way
the country can move forward is through unity.
- “Ek Bharat, Shreshta
Bharat,” Modi reiterated, further adding that there would be no tolerance
for violence in the country and that social discrimination should be
ended.
2. Tiranga March by Nehru
Yuva Kendra Sangathan
Marking the Independence
Day, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan organized a candle-light “TIRANGA
MARCH” in 100 prominent District Headquarters of several States/ UTs.
- The Department of
Youth Affairs will organize a candle-light “Tiranga March” in 100
prominent District Headquarters to celebrate the 70th Indian Independence
Day. The members of youth clubs affiliated with NYKS as well as other
youth will participate in the Programmes.
- In each Programme,
participation of about 1,000 youth is expected and this march
will end at a venue where a cultural programme on the theme of Tiranga and
Nationalism will be organized. This move will witness 40 to 50 large
size National Flags being carried besides a large number of small flags.
There will be chanting of nationalistic slogans and singing of patriotic
songs.
3. Colors of Independence –
An Innovative Initiative of JCI
A week-long “Colors of
Independence” campaign has been launched by the Jute Corporation of
India – JCI marking the 70th Independence Day of
India.
- In a step towards
promoting national integration and jute awareness, this campaign will
provide an opportunity for general public to participate, from 70
Indian cities to celebrate 70 years of Independence.
- This campaign is
being organized by the Union Ministry of Textiles and all the paintings
will be sent to the Ministry after August 15. This campaign is
intended to invoke the spirit of independence and to make the present
generation aware of the freedom struggle.
4. Goa celebrates
Independence Day with Patolleo – an Indigenous Sweet Dish
“Our Lady of Assumption
Church” of the Succoro village, near Panaji in Bardez Taluka celebrated
‘Patolleanchem Fest’, a unique salute to the jaggery-based sweet dish
called “Patolleo” on the eve of the Indolence Day of India.
- Goa Tourism
department has been encouraging this alcohol-free event as a tourist
attraction and says the festival is a must visit for all visitors.
Goa is the most colorful and vibrant state celebrates this unique
festival paying tribute to the dish Patolleo, a Goan sweet made of
jaggery and rice is wrapped in a turmeric leaf.
- Traditionally, the
festival is celebrated by preparing and distributing the Patolleos among
villagers. Visitors are then treated to fabulous Goan fare and various
performances by the locals and artistes. Guests are also given a
share of the homemade Patolleo’s that are traditionally distributed on
this day.
- This festival
provides an opportunity for local artists to display their talent. The
main slogan of this fest is ‘no prizes, no sponsors, no plastics and
no alcohol.’
5. Union Minister launches M
Venkaiah Naidu lauched the Special Version Webpage on the mark of 70th Indian
Independence Day
I&B
Minister Shri M Venkaiah Naidu have launched a special web page on
the occasion of Independence Day, 2016. This webpage is developed by
Press Information Bureau and the page is also accessed from PIB’s home
page.
- The webpage
showcases hundreds of archival photographs, audio and video clips,
write-ups and features on leaders and events related to the freedom
struggle. The webpage will host live webcast of Hon’ble Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Speech from the Red Fort
and will also host other speeches delivered by the Prime Minister at
events related to these celebrations.
- It is noted that
several organizations have contributed to the rich content being showcased
on the webpage. These include All India Radio, Doordarshan,
Photo Division, Films Division, Directorate of Public Relations of
Ministry of Defense and Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.
6. Independence Day Celebs on
Wheels – Goa Tourism organizes Freedom Ride
Goa Tourism presents an
exclusive bike rally called ‘Freedom Ride’, which held on 15 August
2016. The Rally will be very enjoyable and give
bikers an experience of Goa while
exploring its treasures packed with churches, rivers, beaches,
temples, villages and much more.
- The experience will
be very exclusive as it is not a race but just an adventure filled
ride and the most interesting aspect is the Quiz
Competition that would be held pre-lunch making the trip more
exciting.
- Only two riders per
bike will be permitted. The charges include 800 per person for
advance bookings and Rs. 1000 for spot bookings.
- The route map will
be shared with the participants on the day of the rally and well
knownhistorian Sanjeev Sardesai will guide the bikers and give insights
into Goa’s history, culture and traditions during the rally.
7. Independence Day Film
Festival unveiled by M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi
Union Urban Development
Minister, M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the Independence Day Film
Festival in Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium.
- The festival
commenced today and conclude on Aug 18 and twenty films will be
screened during the seven-day period.
- The festival
kick-start with Richard Attenboroughs Gandhi and famous movies
like‘Sardar’ and a Tamil movie ‘Veerapandiyan Kottabomman’ which
depicted the lives of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and an 18th century
warrior, Veerapandiyan Kottabomman as capable of inspiring in the people
an interest in the history of freedom fighters.
- I&B Ministry has
been roped in to play patriotic songs for the next three days on All
India Radio (AIR) and also to air archived audio and video speeches of
freedom fighters in short movies on Doordarshan (DD).
8. M Venkaiah Naidu Unveils
Tiranga Yatra – Indian Independence Day Theme Song
On the eve of 70th Indian
Independence Day, Information & Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu
inaugurated an Independence Day Film Festival besides launching Festival
of Independence theme song “Tiranga Yatra” at separate functions.
- It is noted
thatIndian Cinema not only played a vital role during the freedom
movement, but also facilitated in spreading the message regarding the
great deeds and velour of eminent leaders and personalities of the
movement.
- The
songcaptures the patriotic fever and showcases the diversity in the
country.The idea of India was being reinforced through the
song and it aims to promote brotherhood and the feeling of oneness
among all the citizens.
9. Bharat Parv – Promotion of
Rich Cultural Bio diversity on the eve of Independence Day
As part of Independent
Day celebrations, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated ‘Bharat
Parv’ festival at India Gate lawns and the inauguration ceremony of the
festival, which will conclude on August 18, is also attended by Union Ministers
M Venkaiah Naidu and Mahesh Sharma.
- The Ministry of
Tourism has been designated as the nodal Ministry for the event, the
highlights of which will include Performances by the Armed Forces
Bands, a Multi-Cuisine Food Court, Crafts Mela, Cultural Performances from
different regions of the country including Delhi-based cultural
organizations and associations of various states and a Photo Exhibition by
the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
- The prime objective
of organizing the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the
rich cultural diversity of the country and to ensure wider participation
of the general public.
- There will be 17
theme state pavilions where each state would showcase theirachievements
and initiatives, tourism products and destinations.
10. Indian Govt launches a
commemorative postage stamp on Tourism
A commemorative
postage stamp on Tourism in Indiaon the occasion of 70th Independence Day
has been released by the Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha.
- The theme tourism
was selected on account of tourism sector being an economically
important and rapidly growing industry.
- It is noted that
Indiantourism is fast emerging, as one of the majors sectors of the
economy and generating huge employment opportunity across the country.
11. 70th Independence
day gallantry Awards goes to 948 police personals throughout India
On the occasion of the 70th Indian
Independence Day, a total of 948 central and state forces police personnel
were awarded gallantry and other service medals.
- The top honor of
Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been given to three
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel for thwarting terrorist
attacks at Indian Consulates at Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad in
Afghanistan early in 2016.
- President’s Police
Medal for Gallantry have been awarded to 07 personnel, Police Medal for
Gallantry to 170 personnel, President’s Police Medal for Distinguished
Service to 88 personnel and Police Medal for Meritorious Service to 683
personnel.
- It is noted that 19
personnel have also been awarded including President’s Correctional
Service Medal for Distinguished Service to two personnel
and Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service to 17
personnel.
12. Havildar Hangpan Dada
honored with Ashok Chakra posthumously
Havildar Hangpan Dada was
honored posthumously, with the government announcing the highest award to an
army man during peace-time operations on the eve of the Independence
Day.
- Havildar Hangpan
Dada was a Nocte tribal born in Borduria village of Arunanchal
Pradesh. Dada, as he was fondly called, was recruited to the 3rd Battalion
of the Parachute Regiment on 28 Oct 1997. Six years later, Dada was
transferred to the Assam Regimental Centre and on 24 Jan 2008 he was taken
on the strength of 4th Battalion, The Assam Regiment where he served the
most. Dada’s personality had many shades. Two traits that were forever to
the fore were fearlessness and righteousness.
- From leading a
patrol to leading a church service at the post, Dada always led from the
front. During testing times, when threat of militants would loom large on
his patrol negotiating steep slopes with knee deep snow, Dada would
silently slip into the role of scout and lead the entire patrol safely
back to the base. Dada didn’t stop playing with snakes, even after he had
to be evacuated in a helicopter after being bitten not once but twice by
one. Dada also had the courage of conviction of calling a spade a
spade; though inevitably voicing politely what he thought was right.
- Behind his trademark
smile was a resolve tougher than steel and an unflinching attitude which
came to the fore on the night of 26 May 2016, close to the Line of
Control. The site of the encounter was at an altitude of 12,500 ft,
J&K. A group of terrorists had infiltrated and it was Dada’s task to
stop them before they could go deeper into the Valley. As Sabu Post
Commander of Rashtriya Rifles, he was required to move out with his men to
establish a stop and successfully engage them if they came his way. Even
as Dada’s men detected their movements, the terrorists too perhaps found
something amiss and took cover behind the snow clad boulders.
- Dada realized that
they could slip away and pose a threat to his men. Signaling his men of
his intentions, Dada personally led a charge. The terrorists opened
up as the men of Rashtriya Rifles closed in with Dada urging his men
onwards trying to get the cross hairs of his rifle on each one of the
terrorists in turn. Three of the terrorists fell as Dada pressed the
trigger to deliver short bursts. However, a fourth one had taken position
to a side. A burst of automatic fire from the fourth terrorist caught Dada
unawares.
- Undeterred by the
gunshot wounds, Dada continued to pin down the fourth terrorist wounding
him gravely. His gallant action of eliminating three terrorists in close
quarter engagement and injuring a fourth one in utter disregard to
personal safety not only foiled the infiltration bid but also ensured the
safety of his men. Dada had always lived his life on his terms with
his head held high.
- After sending a
recommendation letter to Defence Minister of India, Shri Manohar Parrikar
dated 9th June 2016, by Arunanchal Pradesh BJP president, Shri Tapir Gao
forposthumously honoring the martyr with Ashok Chakra was accepted
and was awarded to the martyr’s wife, Mrs. Chasen Lowang Dada.
13. Telangana bags the
highest number of Gallantry Medals
Among the above stated
award distributing ceremony, Telangana State has received the highest
number of gallantry medals for police personnel in the country on the eve
of Independence Day and it is noted that it was the only State unit to secure
the President’s police medal for gallantry (PPMG).
- The following two
policemen, who lost their lives trying to catch two StudentsIslamic
Movement of India (SIMI) operatives in Nalgonda district were the
recipients of the PPMG Sub-Inspector Duddekula
Siddaiah Constable Chougoni Nagaraju.
- Apart from the two
policemen who would be honored with the gallantry medal posthumously,
Telangana also got a President’s Police Medal for distinguished service
to Fire Services Director General Rajiv Ratan.
- The Police Medal for
meritorious service was announced for 11 police personnel.
