The year 2020 marks the 74th Independence Day which will be celebrated amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the country. This day is celebrated with huge enthusiasm and zeal across the country. People hoist tricolour flags, sing songs, dance on patriotic songs, share sweets, send wishes, poems and greetings to each other.
Observed as a national holiday across the country, Independence Day honours the sacrifices and dedication of the Brave hearts who aimed for one goal – to simply be free from the slavery of the colonisers. People all over the country host flag hoisting ceremonies and sing the national anthem to celebrate the day filled with patriotic spirits.
A popular slogan adopted by Bal Gangadhar Tilak was coined by Kaka Baptista in our fight for independence. Not only did this slogan motivated people to fight for their rights, but also provoked the love for country in the hearts of thousands of people.
The literal meaning of this slogan is “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. It was devised by Subhash Chandra Bose, affectionately known as Netaji, who was the founder of the Indian National Army.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the pioneer of various movements during the freedom struggle of India. The slogan “Do or Die” was delivered by Mahatma Gandhi after a meeting of AICC (All India Congress Committee) which was held on August 7, 1942.
This is a slogan that awakens the inner-most sentiments of ‘Jai Hindustan’ in the hearts of Indians even in todays era. Acknowledging the efforts of our soldiers and farmers, this slogan gave a new dimension to our freedom struggle.
The origin of this slogan lies in the well-known mantra from the Mundaka Upanishad. “Truth alone triumphs” is the literal meaning of this phrase. It was Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, an activist and also the founder of Banaras Hindu University, who used this slogan in his presidential address in 1918 in the Indian National Congress convention. He made sure this slogan reached the masses and inspired them.