A community group for women of Indian origin in Bedford joined dignitaries to raise the Indian flag on Sunday 15 August marking the 75th Indian Independence Day.
The Bandhan community group said they were “proud and happy” to raise the flag.
They were accompanied by Mayor Dave Hodgson and High Sherriff of Bedfordshire Eric Masih, who payed their respects to the freedom fighters who made India’s dreams a reality.
The High Sheriff described the celebrations as “wonderful”.
He said: “This is a great occasion when your presence is valued and recognised in a spirit of embracing diversity where the Tricolour flag of India would be flying on a public official building.”
He said he was proud to serve “this multi-racial county of Bedfordshire that has embraced diversity.”
Indian Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August, commemorating the creation of a free and independent India, following the end of British rule in 1947.
It also marks the division of India and Pakistan into two countries, with Pakistan Independence Day celebrated a day earlier on 14 August.
British rule began in 1757 when the English East India Company took control of the country, following the Battle of Plassey.
One hundred years later, the East India Company were replaced by direct British rule (known as the ‘British Raj’).
Then, during the First World War, Mohandas K Gandhi began the Indian Independence movement, to establish a peaceful and nonviolent end to British rule.
The country finally achieved independence on 15 August 1947.
Since then, the yearly celebrations are marked among Indian communities across the world with flag-raising ceremonies.
This year’s celebrations were marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation from the Red Fort in the nation’s capital, Delhi.
- Correction: This article was amended on 16 August 2021 to replace “74th Indian Independence Day” with “75th Indian Independence Day”.
