Happy Independence Day!

Yesterday, August 15, was India´s Independence Day. This is the day, 63 years ago, that the British government officially handed over control of the Indian republic to its own people. To mark our country´s freedom from British rule, the Indian flag was hoisted for the first time in 1947 by India´s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at the Red Fort in Delhi. That tradition continues till now with official Independence Day celebrations taking place in Delhi every year, boosted by enthusiastic celebrations all over the country.

Mumbai Smiles participated in the Independence Day festivities at Yashodhan school, early on Sunday morning. Here´s a glimpse of the special day:

The agenda for the morning:

Yashodhan school´s boy scouts and girl guides line up:

With the NCC cadre:

Students, teachers and parents in attendance:

Unfurling the flag:

Saluting the flag and singing the national anthem:

The special guests invited to the event:

Felicitations and speeches:

Patriotic students:

 

Students sing national songs with gusto:

While some in the audience sing along:

 

 Others give impassioned speeches:

Even the rain doesn´t dampen the mood:

To a glorious past and future achievements. Jai Hind!