It is that time of the year when the streets and suburbs of the country will echo with songs of patriotism. Each face will be painted in tri-colour; where the flags will fly high amidst the blue sky. Happy birthday, India!
Yes, it’s 69th Independence Day.
Let us look at some of the unknown facts that will surely leave you awestruck. So, did you know:
1. Hindi is not India’s national language as many think or believe; it’s the official language. Rather, India is the only country which does not have a national language.
2. The national flag was hoisted first on August 7, 1906 at the Parsee Bagan Square in Calcutta. The flag was composed of horizontal strips of red, yellow and green. The red strip at the top had eight white lotuses embossed on it in a row. The green strip had a white sun on the left and a white crescent and star on the right.
3. It is said that the first version of the official national flag was made by Pingali Venkayya at Bezwada in 1921. It was made up of two colours – red and green – representing the two major communities. Gandhiji suggested the addition of a white strip to represent the remaining communities of India and the spinning wheel to symbolize progress of the Nation.
4. In her last 10,000 years, India has never invaded any country.
5. When India became independent on August 15, 1947 there was no National Anthem. Even though the Bengali invocation of Jana Gana Mana was written in 1911, it was not considered as national anthem till 1950.
6. Jana Gana Mana written by Rabindranath Tagore is considered to be penned down to pay homage to the Emperor and was written down to praise King George V.
Tagore sang the song on December 27th, 1911 in Calcutta on the day of Indian National Congress Convention that was also attended by the King.
7. North Korea, South Korea, Bahrain and Republic of the Congo share their Independence Day with India. Mountbatten chose the day since Aug 15 also commemorated the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allied Forces.
8. India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Lal was featured in Vogue magazine and his unique dressing style, single-breasted jacket, became an important fashion trend in the West.
Nehru jacket was listed on Time list of ‘global fashion statement.’ Later, Nehru jacket was popularised by the Beatles and worn by famous people like Johnny Carson and Sammy Davis Jr.
9. Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission is the only licensed flag production and supply unit in India. As of 2008, the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha based in Dharwad was the sole manufacturer of the flag.
Earlier, flags were made with Jayadhar, a popular variety of cotton grown in Karnataka. But recently, Khadi Gramodyoga has started using Bt cotton instead of the indigenous varieties.
10. Gandhiji wanted the Congress to be disbanded immediately after the independence. This resolution for Congress, drafted by Gandhiji on the eve of his assassination, said, “India having attained political independence through means devised by the INC, the Congress in its present shape and form, i.e., as a propaganda vehicle and parliamentary machine had outlived its use.”
11. After India’s independence, Portugal amended its constitution and declared Goa as a Portuguese state. Indian troops invaded Goa on December 19, 1961 and annexed it to India.
12. Records state that, in 1947, if Pakistan hadn’t sent in their tribesmen to attack and conquer Jammu and Kashmir, the state would have eventually gone to Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten has been quoted, saying, “By sending its irregular troops into the state, Pakistan spoiled the whole thing.”
13. The price of gold today is a little over Rs 25,000 per 10 grams. In 1947, the price of 10 grams of gold was Rs 88.62.
14. Today the rupee rate is 61.43/dollar. Do you have any idea what was the exchange rate at the time of the Independence? Rs 1= $1.
The surprising facts of India will never end as it is a country of surprises, myths, stories, facts, incidents and accidents. Behind every incident, you can find some interesting facts which will mesmerize you.