First Independence Day of India

AUGUST 15th, 1947

Angana Majumdar

(She can be reached at anganamajumdar4@gmail.com)

Complete independence through truth and non-violence means the independence of every unit, be it the humblest of the nation, without distinction of race, colour or creed

— Mahatma Gandhi

On 15 August 1947, India became independent from the British Empire marking the establishment of a free and independent Indian nation. After many decades of struggle, Mahatma Gandhi led the country to independence using his method of nonviolent protest – 'Satyagraha'. Independence Day also marks the anniversary of undivided India's partition into India and Pakistan. The independence movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated the method of nonviolence, a non-cooperation movement followed by the Civil Disobedience movement.

India's struggle for independence started in 1857 with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut and it gained momentum after the First World War. In the 20th century, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian National Congress (INC) and other political organizations launched a countrywide independence movement and revolted against the oppressive British rule. During the Second World War in 1942, the Indian Congress launched the Quit India Movement demanding an end to the British rule which prompted colonial rulers to detain many campaigners and nationalists, including Gandhi. During the partition of India in 1947, violent riots, mass casualties, and displacement of nearly 15 million people took place amid religious violence.

This is an interview with one of the octogenarians. She narrated her memories of the 1st Independence Day of India (August 15th 1947). Renu Majumdar, 85 years old, residing in Guwahati shared her experiences as far as a memory she could recollect about this commemorative day and what it was like growing in the pre-independent India.

Renu Majumdar was 10–11-year old, during the days of 1945-46. She used to stay at Dhubri, Assam since her father was posted there. She used to study in a Bengali medium school since in those days there was no trend of Assamese medium schools in Dhubri.

"I remember a British officer visited our school for inspection. Our teacher instructed us to stay alert and disciplined on the day of inspection. The British flag was waved at our school premises. The image of England's king- "King George VI" was displayed in our textbooks. Our teachers taught us to read the text below the image as "He is our king, Long live the king". Our teachers also taught us to practise handwriting as "Sun never sets in the British Empire", she says.

Renu Majumdar learnt from her father about the Independence movement led by 'Mahatma Gandhi' and 'Subhas Chandra Bose'. Many leaders were imprisoned during the independence movement. She was also a member of a local organization of the 'Azad Hind Fauj'. The members were trained in various skills of self-defence secretly using a sword. She learnt from her father that the rule of the British Empire in India was ending gradually. At that time, Lord Mountbatten was the viceroy of India. Renu Majumdar got to know that India will be partitioned soon and Assam will also be no longer a part of India. Then-Prime Minister of Assam 'Gopinath Bordoloi' protested for this issue. During those days several communal riots were emerging. She also recalled the rumours that some miscreants would attack in their area. All they could do was chanting prayers and call for God's help. Then Police officer of Dhubri 'Haranath Baruah' (Paternal uncle of Tea planter 'Hemen Baruah') assured protection during the communal riots. However, by the Grace of God, there were no intense riots in Assam. The popular poet of Assam 'Amulya Baruah' was one of the victims of the communal riot in Calcutta.

"On the day of 15th August 1947, many people gathered at our home to listen to the radio. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's famous speech "Tryst with Destiny" was aired on the 'All India Radio' that day, recalls Renu Majumdar.

She further continues, "The tricolour National Flag of India was hoisted at our school premise. We sang a song during the flag hoisting ceremony. I remember few lines of the song, "Pondhara Auguste Punya Din, Prachin Bharat e Jaage Nobin".

"India's map we used to draw earlier was marked with a red sign to separate India from Pakistan after Independence", recalls Renu Majumdar.

On the day before our independence, India got partitioned and under the leadership of 'Muhammad Ali Jinnah', a new country called 'Pakistan' was formed. They celebrate 14th August as the Independence Day of their country. A revolutionary organization led by 'Phizo' of Naga Hills of Assam also declared 'Nagalim' as an independent country & still celebrates 14th August as their Independence day. This issue has not been solved as yet.

"I still wish for a peaceful resolution between the Government of India and Naga revolutionary organization," says Renu Majumdar.

Let us honour the struggles of many brave hearts who fought for the country's freedom.

Happy 75th Independence Day!

JAI HIND!

VANDE MATARAM

About the speaker:

Renu Majumdar was born in the year 1936 in North Guwahati, Assam. She had matriculated from Gauhati University. A logical woman and book lover, she keeps updating herself with the latest news around the world. She is also an active social media user even in her mid-80s. She is an adventurous woman and also in the year 2020 on the day of International Women's Day (8 March), she visited 'Mayodia Pass' which is located in Arunachal Pradesh near the China Border at an elevation of 2,655 m above sea level. She currently leads a happy, peaceful life and stays at Guwahati, Assam with her children and grandchildren.