“At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new India discovers herself again”.

By Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

It was on 15th August 1947, when India won freedom from the British Raj and thus was the beginning of a new era where India arose as a free nation. The Independence Day commemorates the birth of the world's biggest Democracy, India and this day holds a very unique significance in the Indian history.

The Indian Independence struggle had many important chapters including the Revolt of 1857, Jalianawala Bagh massacre, Non-cooperation Movement to the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. India went through a long journey that had numerous national and regional drives and the two main weapons used were truth and non-violence.

This day is also an occasion to rejoice our freedom and to pay homage to all those martyrs who sacrificed their great lives for the cause of Nation. The Independence Day fills the heart of every Indian with Nationalism, solidarity and fidelity.

In the First War of Independence in 1857, Orissa like other parts of India actively participated in the war. The great patriots of Orissa took the lead in this historic event, a few names are Ram Krushna Samanta Singhar, Chaki Khuntia, Surendra Sai, Madho Singh, Arjun Singh, Jagabandhu Patnaik, Utkal Mani Gopabandhu Das, Utkal Gourv Madhusudan Das, Buxi Jagabandhu and a few others. It was the opening scene of the long drama of India's Freedom Struggle.

 In this context we recall the sublime sacrifice of Jayee Rajaguru in 1804, who was brutally assassinated by the 'feringis' hanging him reversely knitting his legs with the branches of two trees. The subsequent battle was launched by the dreaded 'Paikas' of Khordha region. This convulsion is popularly described in history as “Paika Bidroha” to reckon with during the mid second decade of Nineteenth century.

In this realm the name of Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, Madhu babu, Gopabandhu Das, Harekrushna Mahatab, Nilakantha Das, Baji Raut, Subhas Chandra Bose, Naba Krushna Chaudhuri, Malati Chaudhuri, Rama Devi and Sarala Devi, Prabhavati Devi, Pandit Laxmi Narain Mishra shines in the galaxy, whose dedication and personality is yet a household name in Orissa.

This year, India celebrates the 67th Independence Day. This Day is a day when we pay homage to our great national leaders and heroic freedom fighters - who made many sacrifices, including giving up their lives to liberate India from foreign control.

The Independence Day is celebrated with full flavor, ardent devotion and immense patriotism throughout the country. Schools and colleges celebrate this sanctimonious day with cultural activities, drills and flag hoisting. The Chief Minister hoists the Tricolour at the Mahatama Gandhi Marg (PMG Square), followed by the National Anthem & National Song, at State Capital, Bhuneswar. He also addresses the State, highlighting
the achievements of the State during the past year and gives a call for further development. With this he also
pays tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle, and bows to their contributions in freedom struggle. Celebrations on a smaller scale are held by educational institutions, residential associations, cultural centers and political constituencies. 

As the tri-colour flutters in the sky, let each citizen promise to work hard to bring glory to the country and reach the goal of making India a great nation that stands for human values.

"JAY HIND"
"JAY BHARAT"