The opportunity to shape things yourself:
“Independence meant finally being able to decide your own future. As an entrepreneur, I see this as a direct point of connection: freedom means responsibility. For my family, it means we can determine our own lives and values—and actively help shape the country in which my children grow up.”
The historic moment
On the eve of independence, Jawaharlal Nehru gave his legendary speech “Tryst with Destiny,” in which he spoke of embarking on a new India. He became the country’s first Prime Minister. At the same time, Pakistan was created with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as its leader.
Joy and sorrow
While celebrations took place in the cities, the partition brought a humanitarian catastrophe. Millions of people were displaced across the new border, and hundreds of thousands lost their lives in the religious unrest. The joy of freedom was inseparably linked with deep sorrow.
Significance to this day
Today, August 15 is a national holiday, celebrated with flag ceremonies, parades, and the Prime Minister’s address from the Red Fort in Delhi. It commemorates the triumph over colonial rule and at the same time serves as a reminder to preserve the lessons learned from the painful consequences of partition.