New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday extended her greetings to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day, calling the occasion a matter of pride for every Indian.
“It is a matter of pride for all of us that Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated by every Indian with great enthusiasm. These are days that especially remind us of our being proud Indians,” President Murmu said at the start of her address.
She recalled the horrors of the 1947 Partition and urged citizens never to forget the pain caused by it, noting that the events witnessed terrible violence and forced millions to relocate. She paid tribute to the victims on Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day).
“As we look back on the past, we must not forget the pain inflicted by the Partition of the country. Today we observed Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas. Terrible violence was witnessed, and millions were forced to relocate due to Partition. Today, we pay tributes to the victims of the follies of history,” the President said.
India observes Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14 to honor those who lost their lives and were displaced during the country’s division in 1947. The Partition created India and Pakistan as separate nation-states and resulted in riots, unrest, massacres, rapes, looting, starvation, and one of the largest forced mass migrations in human history. Punjab and Bengal suffered catastrophic riots that left a lasting impact on millions, with the trauma still felt today.
President Murmu also reflected on India’s successful transition to democracy despite post-Independence challenges. “After regaining our freedom, we also became a democracy with universal adult franchise. In other words, we the people of India put the power to shape our destiny in the hands of each of us, without any restrictions of gender, religion, and other factors that had barred many people from voting in other democracies. In spite of many challenges, the people of India made a successful transition to democracy. The transition was a natural reflection of our ancient democratic ethos,” she said.
She noted that India has some of the oldest republics in the world and is rightly acknowledged as the “mother of democracy.” She emphasized the importance of the Constitution in building democratic institutions and strengthening democratic practices.
“The fifteenth of August is a date etched in our collective memory. During the long years of colonial rule, generations of Indians dreamt of the day of independence. Men and women, old and young, from all parts of the country, yearned to throw away the yoke of foreign rule. Their struggle was marked by robust optimism, which has continued to propel our progress since Independence too. As we salute the tricolour tomorrow, we will also be paying homage to the memory of all freedom fighters whose sacrifices won India independence on the 15th of August, 78 years ago,” she said.
The nation will celebrate the 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations from the Red Fort in New Delhi. The Prime Minister will hoist the national flag and address the nation.
As India advances toward the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, this year’s theme is Naya Bharat. The celebrations aim to commemorate the rise of a prosperous, secure, and bold new India while inspiring continued progress. (ANI)
About The Author
