![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RCPQPLQDFBENR7NL2JRHWUIKUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4ae546fc188f541a992a74c9b30fbcdc9f348882db322dfefbbe5e1cb2c5c6b&width=400&height=225)
A shopkeeper arranges an Indian flag at his store in Mumbai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HUVXVKL2B4KO2QBNK4RG2WSGOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1346b404aa351bdd42e75427574001d8409188b4f2cf56f8f5611a2868d3605b&width=400&height=225)
Police take part in Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PJYPJ3T75QGPJSSXJEC6I25EKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5d1a31628e1d9b4f447002a3a34557575f9b8dc3761a388474d69109a389f01&width=400&height=225)
Kashmiri artists perform in Srinagar. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LONYYU2KX3Q236L34RK4GUPE2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac90ef77b747166d4135fa27b142d52c43ee443bf3c29b4cebf273d52a6f8e56&width=400&height=225)
An Indian security guard watches an Independence Day ceremony at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G6Z6XZN2IMGMND7VPOPVZRQGCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5854051ced182c8304ed3622aa21f07c0db49dda4893a898be4b2193552ea2e2&width=400&height=225)
Motorcycle stunts from Assam police in Guwahati. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EB7I6HGULPX3OBWBBCJAOZLBHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac2b22a2e251e23133e372a8a96bd995708204e19243bb91136c8708d55b9e1b&width=400&height=225)
Indian Border Force staff offer sweets to each other on Independence Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah frontier post, 35km from Amritsar. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJPKPYED5FLO6UNXGDYNL5DWAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=515f8eeb26a52f5458e90c71e2cb523c38fee1382b90618eff5fb940d314983a&width=400&height=225)
The Indian Army's 'Tornadoes' display their motorbike skills in Bangalore. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BKW7QW6JIVVFQCLFSABXWC5KN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e13112b9428c4614eebe896244f3bc3c31e3ba01c7bb428943e4d432b34a2da&width=400&height=225)
Railway employees mark India's 77th Independence Day in Chennai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5INE7WSSLHZ5RI5QQ2RGKZGKZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0086a304a76992b63ce7963475ffab6f17c27eaf230c7a7d84c59f75a7e51e2a&width=400&height=225)
A boy watches watches the parade in Chennai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2ZUX7UPV4K6A3IO6KVXS34DHHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=72a6de28e3d075bcc24f7a2a4b1996111d5b3b06e9cc2c76a6365fc066b31835&width=400&height=225)
Balloons in the colours of India's flag in Chennai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JHB26MVYQFUPFU2MCDAXWP7L64.jpg?smart=true&auth=3d4a078d23a0cdff9cdfe5ee3360eb28104837886dac08e66a81f85577d1e0f4&width=400&height=225)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets National Cadet Corps after addressing the nation at the Red Fort in Delhi. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W2NR67M24PS5J4UYXUTH5JLDAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e11e13ea56bace0220bbf779923fceda1c9842e276e391b952102f5851b354f&width=400&height=225)
Preparations for the big day in Hyderabad. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2FCSYBXZ4PB4Z4BIV6BLQSV74Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=5960e086d69eba6bd533bbb27697ed5f591dc8f63ecdc2d67728b836f6db1cc5&width=400&height=225)
On the march in Hyderabad to mark Independence Day. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZHKWBBJ7DD5TL7NISAY2F6G2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1662c609969fa97493db3aea1085584f1eea3e39f9187554e14724238e7d3d6&width=400&height=225)
A woman stitches flags in Guwahati ahead of India's Independence Day celebrations. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B74AC54GP2GBJAAB5GR2PYMZZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e063cbaa26f6baa0b1c838ccc35e55181b65a9dd96eb84cffc0ad51309c0307&width=400&height=225)
A roadside vendor sells tricolor flags. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVDS6LJ3TXINNXFK3ND5V66HQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0086c03960b0b2b1ab0e69d3d9e6206a4e7979d084a604f539c232e9e40c105e&width=400&height=225)
India celebrates its 76th Independence Day on August 15. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KGYSB7QNZSU7AZA3MF5KFHLM3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=1cf80380070b9a22cf918f4e34fe8d4f2282f07494575bfc0248db16737c632f&width=400&height=225)
Kashmiri students take part in the 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' (My soil, My country) rally. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BZNKQPNJQD7X6WHKSR67PIVIEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a69281bba65bc124200f8b938aca727f1366abd9355a7cf7fde1a3b3c5be2ca&width=400&height=225)
Students wave Indian flags at the Anjuman E Islam High School. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RCPQPLQDFBENR7NL2JRHWUIKUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4ae546fc188f541a992a74c9b30fbcdc9f348882db322dfefbbe5e1cb2c5c6b&width=400&height=225)
A shopkeeper arranges an Indian flag at his store in Mumbai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HUVXVKL2B4KO2QBNK4RG2WSGOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1346b404aa351bdd42e75427574001d8409188b4f2cf56f8f5611a2868d3605b&width=400&height=225)
Police take part in Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PJYPJ3T75QGPJSSXJEC6I25EKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5d1a31628e1d9b4f447002a3a34557575f9b8dc3761a388474d69109a389f01&width=400&height=225)
Kashmiri artists perform in Srinagar. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LONYYU2KX3Q236L34RK4GUPE2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac90ef77b747166d4135fa27b142d52c43ee443bf3c29b4cebf273d52a6f8e56&width=400&height=225)
An Indian security guard watches an Independence Day ceremony at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G6Z6XZN2IMGMND7VPOPVZRQGCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5854051ced182c8304ed3622aa21f07c0db49dda4893a898be4b2193552ea2e2&width=400&height=225)
Motorcycle stunts from Assam police in Guwahati. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EB7I6HGULPX3OBWBBCJAOZLBHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac2b22a2e251e23133e372a8a96bd995708204e19243bb91136c8708d55b9e1b&width=400&height=225)
Indian Border Force staff offer sweets to each other on Independence Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah frontier post, 35km from Amritsar. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJPKPYED5FLO6UNXGDYNL5DWAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=515f8eeb26a52f5458e90c71e2cb523c38fee1382b90618eff5fb940d314983a&width=400&height=225)
The Indian Army's 'Tornadoes' display their motorbike skills in Bangalore. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BKW7QW6JIVVFQCLFSABXWC5KN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e13112b9428c4614eebe896244f3bc3c31e3ba01c7bb428943e4d432b34a2da&width=400&height=225)
Railway employees mark India's 77th Independence Day in Chennai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5INE7WSSLHZ5RI5QQ2RGKZGKZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0086a304a76992b63ce7963475ffab6f17c27eaf230c7a7d84c59f75a7e51e2a&width=400&height=225)
A boy watches watches the parade in Chennai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2ZUX7UPV4K6A3IO6KVXS34DHHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=72a6de28e3d075bcc24f7a2a4b1996111d5b3b06e9cc2c76a6365fc066b31835&width=400&height=225)
Balloons in the colours of India's flag in Chennai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JHB26MVYQFUPFU2MCDAXWP7L64.jpg?smart=true&auth=3d4a078d23a0cdff9cdfe5ee3360eb28104837886dac08e66a81f85577d1e0f4&width=400&height=225)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets National Cadet Corps after addressing the nation at the Red Fort in Delhi. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W2NR67M24PS5J4UYXUTH5JLDAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e11e13ea56bace0220bbf779923fceda1c9842e276e391b952102f5851b354f&width=400&height=225)
Preparations for the big day in Hyderabad. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2FCSYBXZ4PB4Z4BIV6BLQSV74Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=5960e086d69eba6bd533bbb27697ed5f591dc8f63ecdc2d67728b836f6db1cc5&width=400&height=225)
On the march in Hyderabad to mark Independence Day. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZHKWBBJ7DD5TL7NISAY2F6G2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1662c609969fa97493db3aea1085584f1eea3e39f9187554e14724238e7d3d6&width=400&height=225)
A woman stitches flags in Guwahati ahead of India's Independence Day celebrations. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B74AC54GP2GBJAAB5GR2PYMZZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e063cbaa26f6baa0b1c838ccc35e55181b65a9dd96eb84cffc0ad51309c0307&width=400&height=225)
A roadside vendor sells tricolor flags. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVDS6LJ3TXINNXFK3ND5V66HQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0086c03960b0b2b1ab0e69d3d9e6206a4e7979d084a604f539c232e9e40c105e&width=400&height=225)
India celebrates its 76th Independence Day on August 15. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KGYSB7QNZSU7AZA3MF5KFHLM3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=1cf80380070b9a22cf918f4e34fe8d4f2282f07494575bfc0248db16737c632f&width=400&height=225)
Kashmiri students take part in the 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' (My soil, My country) rally. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BZNKQPNJQD7X6WHKSR67PIVIEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a69281bba65bc124200f8b938aca727f1366abd9355a7cf7fde1a3b3c5be2ca&width=400&height=225)
Students wave Indian flags at the Anjuman E Islam High School. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RCPQPLQDFBENR7NL2JRHWUIKUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4ae546fc188f541a992a74c9b30fbcdc9f348882db322dfefbbe5e1cb2c5c6b&width=400&height=225)
A shopkeeper arranges an Indian flag at his store in Mumbai. AFP
India Independence Day: History and meaning as nation enters 77th year
The South Asian nation is celebrating its 77th Independence Day
![Taniya Dutta](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Ff16b3521-2438-42ac-a914-4072ef298f1c.png?smart=true&auth=2e7bd18a9d681304782408cd2ad4662f50ed2dec6f481149b8eb1cac80d9d410&width=70&height=70)
Taniya Dutta
15 August, 2023
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic