VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Airtel has discontinued several prepaid plans including one of its most popular, here’s the cheapest unlimited daily data plan now Jellyfish turned into an unexpected threat to France’s Gravelines nuclear plant after a huge swarm clogged its cooling system CM Bhajanlal Sharma also highlighted measures taken by his government on law and order. NEW DELHI: Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma has announced that the state government plans to introduce the Rajasthan Civil Code 2026, saying the proposed law will be in line with the constitutional spirit of Article 44, which calls for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).Speaking at the state-level Independence Day celebrations at Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Sharma said the proposed legislation would aim to establish a common legal framework for all citizens of Rajasthan.The chief minister also highlighted measures taken by his government on law and order. He said Rajasthan had adopted a strict approach towards crime and corruption and had taken several major steps to improve security across the state.The government has also enacted legislation aimed at preventing religious conversions carried out through inducement or fraudulent means.”The government is following a zero tolerance policy towards crime and corruption. This has helped reduce crime and create an atmosphere of peace in the state,” he said.Rajasthan’s development pushSharma said his government was working towards the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat-Viksit Rajasthan’ by 2047, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a developed country by that year.He pointed to the expansion of Rajasthan’s road network and said infrastructure development remained a key focus for the state.Sharma also highlighted India’s economic and technological progress, saying the country’s digital model was attracting attention globally and that India had emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies.”Today, the world listens carefully to what India has to say. India is moving forward and its stature on the global stage is continuously rising,” he said.He said Rajasthan was seeking to contribute to this broader development goal through major infrastructure and energy projects.The HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project at Pachpadra and the Mahi-Banswara nuclear power project were among the initiatives he identified as important for the state’s future growth.Focus on energy and Independence Day celebrationsSharma said Rajasthan was moving towards greater self-reliance in power and claimed that the state ranked first in the country in solar power capacity and second in renewable energy capacity.Earlier, after hoisting the national flag, the chief minister inspected the parade and took the salute during the march-past. He also presented medals and certificates to government officials and employees in recognition of their service.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe celebrations featured cultural performances by folk artists from Rajasthan, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, along with schoolchildren from different parts of Rajasthan.Union minister of state for law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, chief secretary V Srinivas, director general of police Rajeev Kumar Sharma and other elected representatives and officials attended the event.Governor Haribhau Bagade hoisted the national flag at the Raj Bhavan, while Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani unfurled the tricolour at the state assembly.Independence Day programmes were also organised at political party offices, schools and other institutions across Rajasthan.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks Begin123PhotostoriesWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? 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Sreekumar reveals why he chooses Mammootty over Mohanlal, recalls support during financial crisis The Tbilisi street musician who surprises Indian travellers by singing the iconic ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’ song Gemini, Weekly Horoscope, August 16 to August 22, 2026: Expect cozy home enhancements and domestic support Another strong earthquake strikes Indonesia after 7.7 magnitude quake PM Burnham on death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday Aug 15, 2026, 16:56 IST ‘Vishwanath And Sons’ Box Office Collection Day 2 [LIVE]: Suriya and Mamitha Baiju starrer holds strong, nears Rs 20 crore as it eyes a big weekend How to tell if you’re overfeeding your baby? Signs your little one has had enough Quote of the day by Thomas Edison: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia: 38 killed, buildings collapse; 5 visuals of devastation 24-year-old archaeology enthusiast helps uncover a 3,700-year-old stone circle hidden in an English forest Cricketer Abishek Porel denied bail in alleged rape case Apply for 24,752 posts, check age limit and fees Saba Pataudi recalls Saif Ali Khan stealing her favourite T-shirt, calls Kareena Kapoor ‘very straightforward and supportive’: ‘Kareena is not dramatic, she is entertaining and doesn’t pretend to be anyone else’ Psychology says small issues often become the real reason for divorce; are younger generations leaving less room for forgiveness? Taurus, Weekly Horoscope, August 16 to August 22, 2026: Unmarried might find themselves facing romantic proposals; existing relationships flourish with affection UK searches for homes with air conditioning jump 104% as heatwaves intensify The Sahara once held a lake 48% larger than all five Great Lakes combined, but Mega-Chad vanished about 5,000 years ago Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi interacts with students on the stage during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ program, in Prayagraj on Saturday. (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the next edition of “Chhatron ki Goonj” event, highlighting student issues, will be held in Pune on August 22.Rahul launched the campaign from Kota, a coaching hub in Rajasthan, on June 17 to highlight issues in the education sector and problems faced by students. He addressed the second and third segments of the outreach programme in Dehradun and Prayagraj on July 17 and August 8, respectively.”The fourth segment of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (voice of students) will be held in Pune on August 22 in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, who will address issues which are women-centric,” MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal said.Rahul urged students to join the “Chhatron ki Goonj” campaign and said that what the girls of the country needed was equality, safety and opportunities, but instead, they got insecurity, discrimination, and a long wait for their real rights.”What do the girls of the country need? Equality, safety, opportunities, and the freedom to speak their minds. What have they received? Insecurity, discrimination, and nothing but waiting for their real rights. No more,” he said.During the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ event in Prayagraj last week, Rahul described India’s youth as the country’s biggest strength, but said a lack of jobs, expensive education, paper leaks, poor access to credit and the growing use of AI were holding them back.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“You are the power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen,” he had said.He said he wanted to speak about “dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)”, framing his address around the problems facing young Indians and the economic resources he believes should belong to them.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based Delimitation123PhotostoriesAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremonyBigg Boss Tamil 10 ‘The Common Man’: From contestants to telecast time, here’s everything you need to knowRashtrapati Bhavan’s Independence Day At Home reception to serve these 7 dishes from 4 Indian statesIdli to Cheela: 9 ways to add sooji to daily breakfast7 quiet dog breeds that make great companions for familiesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence Day123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Hariharan attempts to understand Gen Z language and slang like ‘slay’, ‘no cap’ and ‘GOAT’ in fun video, netizens praise his efforts : ‘I may have spent a little too much time, slowly getting there’ – WATCH They used an umbrella as a microphone to report a broken road; 3 Maharashtra schoolgirls went viral and got results Organisms living inside the gut of psychopaths could be the drivers of bad, sinful behaviour and conduct, claim scientists Independence Day 2026: Sridhar Vembu, Anand Mahindra, Peyush Bansal extend wishes to the nation UK PM Andy Burnham announces £65m support package for farmers hit by drought File photo: CJI Surya Kant Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said India had overcome several formidable challenges in the eight decades since Independence, but much remained to be done, urging young law graduates and lawyers to prepare themselves to shoulder the responsibilities of the future.Speaking at the national flag-hoisting ceremony organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association at the apex court premises on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, Kant said the country’s achievements also brought with them a renewed sense of responsibility.“The journey of a nation does not end with what it has accomplished. Every achievement also brings with it a renewed sense of responsibility and duty. There is much that remains to be done, and many more miles to travel in our journey ahead,” he said.Several senior judges, lawyers and court staff attended the ceremony.‘Responsibility of this Bar will soon rest on your shoulders’Addressing young lawyers, Kant said the responsibility carried by the legal profession since the freedom struggle would soon pass to the next generation.“The responsibility that this Bar has carried since the days of the freedom struggle will, before long, rest on your shoulders. The institutions of justice that generations before you have built and strengthened are now yours to protect and to carry forward,” he said.He assured young lawyers that the Bar and Bench remained committed to supporting their professional growth through mentorship and opportunities.“The miles that remain are yours to walk, and we walk with you,” he added.Kant said the freedom struggle had a deep and enduring connection with law and that some of the finest legal minds of the period helped establish the idea that law should serve justice, protect liberty and uphold human dignity.He noted that Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar, whom he described as two of the greatest architects of modern India, along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Motilal Nehru, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai, were lawyers.This, he said, demonstrated that the legal profession was not a bystander to India’s freedom struggle but an integral part of it.CJI highlights changing challenges for young lawyersKant said India’s legal and judicial institutions had grown and matured alongside the Republic and played an important role in shaping the country’s conscience.Turning to young lawyers, he acknowledged the difficulties of starting a legal career, saying the profession had become more competitive, the learning curve steeper and the pressure of building a practice heavier.“I personally remember the anxieties of those early years at the Bar, and I say this not to discourage our young colleagues, but because I want them to know that we see them, and we understand their challenges,” he said.At the same time, he expressed confidence in the younger generation, citing their resilience, intellect and commitment to justice.Kant said young lawyers had also grown up with technology transforming communication and access to knowledge, bringing greater adaptability to courtrooms. He also highlighted their sensitivity towards equality, inclusion and access to justice.‘Law must remain connected to lives of people’Reflecting on India’s freedom movement, the CJI said it differed from many earlier struggles against colonial rule because it was not primarily an armed insurrection.“Ours was not primarily an armed insurrection; it was instead a sustained challenge to the legitimacy of colonial rule through political movements, petitions, public debates, and, most importantly, through the language of law,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said the freedom movement repeatedly challenged the contradiction between colonial claims of governance through law and the denial of liberty, equality and dignity to Indians.According to Kant, that principle remains relevant today as courts provide a forum for people from different backgrounds to assert their constitutional rights, challenge arbitrary action and seek equal treatment under the law.“Courts have continued to serve as a unifying space for the litigants and members of the Bar alike,” he said.Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh and other members of the bar body also addressed the gathering.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based Delimitation123PhotostoriesTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremonyBigg Boss Tamil 10 ‘The Common Man’: From contestants to telecast time, here’s everything you need to knowRashtrapati Bhavan’s Independence Day At Home reception to serve these 7 dishes from 4 Indian statesIdli to Cheela: 9 ways to add sooji to daily breakfast7 quiet dog breeds that make great companions for familiesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and more123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Injury scare’ for Babar Azam ahead of England Tests as Pakistan captain rested Nvidia’s SpaceX bet: Chipmaker discloses $21 billion stake in Elon Musk-owned rocket firm Supreme Court to hear plea seeking rules for CBSE’s on-screen marking system on August 21 Nana Patekar recalls Kargil War experience after George Fernandes granted special permission, referencing his ‘Prahaar’ training: ‘I was 76 kg, came back at 56 kg’ 2,000-year-old bridge reappears in Rome as drought-hit Tiber River exposes ancient ruins of Nero’s Bridge Aries, Weekly Horoscope, August 16 to August 22, 2026: Positive developments in legal matters and professional endeavors are on the horizon Newfoundland introduced moose in 1878, today, the population of 11,000 is on the verge of eradicating the island’s forests The chilling story of the phantom No 7 that appeared without a driver and became linked to a fatal 1934 crash As the date changed from August 14 to August 15, 1947, India emerged as an independent nation. “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”With those words, the first Prime Minister of Independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave voice to one of the most consequential moments in the country’s history.As the date changed from August 14 to August 15, 1947, nearly two centuries of British rule formally came to an end and India emerged as an independent nation.But midnight was not the culmination of the story. The first hours of freedom brought exhilaration, ceremony and celebration, but also the enormous responsibility of running a new country. A government had to begin functioning, the machinery of the state had to be inherited and reorganised, and millions of people were already caught in the upheaval of Partition.The new nation marked its freedom with flags, crowds, prayers and speeches. Yet beyond the celebrations, refugees were on the move, communal violence was spreading and India’s final borders were still unknown.A midnight that turned into historyThe story of India’s freedom began before the clock struck 12. On the evening of August 14, members of the Constituent Assembly gathered in New Delhi for the historic session that would mark the transfer of power.The Assembly, which had been working on India’s constitutional future, was now poised to become the central political institution of a sovereign country.Just before midnight, the chamber was charged with the knowledge that the date itself was about to change.Then came Nehru.His speech the “Tryst with Destiny”, transformed the formal transfer of power into a moment of history. He spoke of stepping “out from the old to the new”, of an age ending and the “soul of a nation” finding expression after a long period of suppression.It was the beginning.In his message to the nation published on August 15, the Prime Minister described India as “awake, vital, free and independent”, but immediately turned to the responsibilities that came with freedom. Poverty, ignorance and disease had to be fought; democratic and social institutions had to be built; and political freedom had to translate into opportunity for ordinary people.That distinction is crucial to understanding India’s first day as an independent country. The midnight ceremony was not simply a celebration of Britain’s departure. It was the first public act of a government that suddenly had to govern.The new governmentEven before the midnight ceremony, Nehru had announced the Cabinet that would take charge from August 15. As per the announcement Nehru would handle the external affairs and commonwealth relations in addition to the Prime Minister’s responsibilities. Vallabhbhai Patel took charge of home, information and broadcasting, and states. Rajendra Prasad handled food and agriculture. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was given education. Baldev Singh took defence. B R Ambedkar was given law. R.K. Shanmukham Chetty handled finance and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was given health, among other portfolios.Why did India get Independence on August 15, 1947?The choice of August 15 was not part of the original timetable for India’s independence. The British government had initially planned to transfer power by June 1948, but Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India, brought the date forward by almost a year.One reason, he later explained, was the urgency of preventing further riots, protests and bloodshed amid the worsening political and communal situation. But the date also had a personal significance for Mountbatten. August 15 was the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allied powers in 1945, marking the end of the Second World War. As Supreme Allied Commander of the South-East Asia Command, Mountbatten had accepted the Japanese surrender in Singapore.Years later, in Freedom at Midnight, Mountbatten was quoted as explaining that the date had essentially “come out of the blue”. He said he wanted to demonstrate that he was in control of the transfer of power and, when pressed for a date, settled on August 15 because of its connection with Japan’s surrender.But there was a problem: August 15 was considered inauspicious by astrologers consulted at the time. According to the Hindu calendar, the new day traditionally began at sunrise, making the daytime of August 15 unsuitable for such a momentous occasion.The solution was unusual but symbolic. The Constituent Assembly would meet at midnight between August 14 and August 15, allowing India to enter its new era at the precise moment the date changed in the Western calendar.That is why India’s independence was ushered in not at dawn on August 15, but at the stroke of midnight.Delhi turns into a sea of peopleAs dawn approached on August 15, the mood in Delhi shifted from solemn ceremony to public celebration. Crowds filled streets and public spaces, flags appeared everywhere and people who had spent their lives under British rule suddenly found themselves living in a country that was politically their own.The Tricolour, formally adopted by the Constituent Assembly only a few weeks earlier, became the most visible symbol of that transformation.But there was no established Independence Day script. There was no decades-old tradition of the Prime Minister appearing at the Red Fort every August 15, no familiar sequence of ceremonies for officials to repeat. India was inventing its Independence Day even as it celebrated the first one.The ceremony Indians now instinctively associate with August 15, the Prime Minister unfurling the national flag from the Red Fort, did not happen on that date in 1947.The first Independence Day was different.The flag was not first raised at the Red FortThe Red Fort, now synonymous with India’s Independence Day celebrations, was not the setting for the country’s first flag-hoisting ceremony.One of the earliest known hoistings of the Tricolour in independent India took place in Madras, now Chennai, at Fort St George at 5:30 am on August 15, 1947, just hours after India formally became independent.The 12ft by 8ft pure-silk flag used for the ceremony is preserved at the Fort St George Museum and remains one of the surviving flags from that historic day. It offers a tangible link to the dawn of freedom, when the Tricolour was being raised across the country for the first time.Later that morning, Nehru hoisted the national flag at Princess Park near India Gate, rather than at the Red Fort. Historical records preserved in the Nehru Archive note that the official Independence Day function was held there.The Red Fort ceremony came the following day. Nehru unfurled the Tricolour there for the first time on August 16, 1947.That ceremony would eventually become the defining ritual of August 15, turning the Mughal-era monument into the enduring backdrop of India’s annual Independence Day celebrations.Mountbatten, the British Viceroy who stayed onThere was another striking contradiction at the heart of India’s first hours of freedom: Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India, did not leave with the British Raj.Instead, he became independent India’s first Governor-General. The Indian Independence Act provided for the creation of two new Dominions, India and Pakistan, while Mountbatten continued in Independent India in his new constitutional role.His presence reflected the complicated nature of the transfer of power. Independence did not mean that every British institution, official or administrative arrangement disappeared at the stroke of midnight. Political authority had passed from the British Crown, but the machinery through which the subcontinent had been governed had to be repurposed almost overnight.Railways had to keep moving, communications had to be maintained, food supplies managed, finances administered, armed forces commanded, courts operated and cities policed, all while the same administrative system was being divided between India and Pakistan.Freedom, in other words, had arrived with a long to-do list.Gandhi away from the celebrationsWhile Delhi prepared to celebrate independence with flags, speeches and crowds, Mahatma Gandhi chose to spend August 15, 1947, far from the capital, in violence-hit Calcutta.At the Constituent Assembly, his name was invoked, while outside, crowds raised cries of “Mahatma Gandhi ki jai”. But Gandhi himself was in Beliaghata, trying to prevent Hindus and Muslims from turning on each other.On August 14, Gandhi attended a packed prayer meeting and announced that he would undertake a 24-hour fast, prayer and spinning on August 15. The Gandhi Heritage Portal records that he spent Independence Day on a long fast, receiving a constant stream of visitors.Gandhi had left Delhi about two weeks earlier. After spending four days in Kashmir, he travelled to Calcutta, where communal tensions remained dangerously high.Historian Ramachandra Guha, in India After Gandhi, writes that Gandhi arrived in Calcutta on the afternoon of August 13 and took up residence in Beliaghata, at Hyderi Mansion, a building surrounded by a deeply divided neighbourhood.Gandhi deliberately chose to stay in a Muslim-owned house in a predominantly Hindu locality, accompanied by Bengal’s former premier Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, in an attempt to demonstrate that reconciliation was still possible.The building, now known as Gandhi Bhawan, became closely associated with one of the most extraordinary episodes surrounding Independence. Gandhi stayed there from August 13 to September 7, even as the rest of the country celebrated the end of British rule.His presence in Beliaghata was later associated with what came to be known as the “miracle of Calcutta”, after the communal violence subsided.Freedom and Partition arrived togetherFor millions, there was no clean separation between August 15 and Partition. The creation of India and Pakistan triggered one of the largest mass migrations in modern history, as Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs who had lived for generations in the same towns and villages suddenly faced the prospect of displacement.Punjab became one of the worst centres of the violence. Lahore, a major city of undivided Punjab with a substantial Hindu and Sikh population and extensive property ownership among these communities, was caught in the upheaval. As communal tensions intensified, many had already begun leaving for Delhi and eastern Punjab, abandoning homes, businesses and belongings.Across Punjab and Bengal, the drawing of new borders turned ordinary questions of homes, farms, shops and neighbourhoods into matters of survival. Trains carrying refugees became symbols of the upheaval, with some journeys ending in massacre, while roads filled with families carrying whatever they could save. The first morning of freedom was therefore also the beginning of a traumatic displacement that would reshape the subcontinent for generations.The law came first. Independence came next.The dramatic events of August 15 can sometimes obscure the legal process that made the transfer of power possible. The Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons on July 4, 1947, in a remarkably low-key proceeding.A Times of India report the following day noted that the actual reading took only moments, with Prime Minister Clement Attlee rising and bowing before the Clerk read out the Bill’s title.Behind that brief parliamentary ritual was legislation that would end British rule over a subcontinent of nearly 400 million people and create the two independent Dominions of India and Pakistan from August 15.The Bill provided for the partition of Punjab and Bengal, separate governments and Governor-Generals, and boundary commissions to determine territories that had yet to be finalised. It also ended British paramountcy over more than 500 princely states, with treaties and agreements between the Crown and the rulers lapsing and the states left to determine their future.Mountbatten urged the rulers to act quickly, telling them at a July 25 conference, according to The Times of India archives: “Remember that the day of transfer of power is very close at hand.” But the passage of the Act did not complete Partition. The armed forces, civil services, finances, railways, postal systems and government departments still had to be divided, while the Boundary Commissions continued their work and millions were already on the move.At the centre of this unfinished process was Sir Cyril Radcliffe, the British barrister tasked with drawing the boundaries between India and Pakistan. Having never previously travelled to India, he was given roughly five weeks to divide villages, districts, rivers, roads, canals, property and communities between the two new countries.He arrived on July 8 and worked under intense pressure, relying largely on maps and census data as communal tensions deteriorated. Radcliffe handed the Boundary Awards to Mountbatten on August 13, but they were withheld until after independence and ultimately released on August 17.India therefore celebrated its first Independence Day without knowing its complete territorial boundaries.The announcement suddenly gave places such as Lahore, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur new political identities, forcing families to decide whether to stay or flee. The border was not merely a line on a map but it determined who could remain in their homes and who would become a refugee.What followed was one of the largest forced migrations in history, with an estimated 20 million people uprooted from their ancestral homes. Refugees moved across the new borders as trains, roads and villages became scenes of violence, arson and death. Hundreds of thousands, and possibly close to a million people, are estimated to have died in the communal carnage accompanying Partition.Andrew Mellor, in India Since Partition, records attacks on trains carrying people between the two new countries and describes widespread rioting in Punjab in the days after August 15. Killings, arson, abductions, forced conversions and attacks on entire communities turned the journey to freedom into a terrifying ordeal for millions.Years later, journalist Kuldeep Nayar recalled Radcliffe telling him that he had nearly awarded Lahore to India before deciding that Pakistan needed a major city. While the recollection cannot be independently established in every detail, it captures the extraordinary uncertainty surrounding decisions that would reshape millions of lives. For Radcliffe, the task was over. He left India on August 17 and never returned.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe beginning of a traditionThat is what makes India’s first Independence Day so different from the August 15 that Indians know today. There was no established Red Fort ceremony. There was only a country experiencing its first morning of freedom.Yet, amid all of this, something irreversible had happened.At midnight, authority had changed hands.By morning, the Tricolour was flying.The British Raj was over, and Indians were now responsible for the country they had fought to free.The first Independence Day was therefore not simply the celebration of an ending. It was the first, uncertain and extraordinary day of the much harder task that followed, building India after freedom had been won.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based Delimitation123PhotostoriesAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremonyBigg Boss Tamil 10 ‘The Common Man’: From contestants to telecast time, here’s everything you need to knowRashtrapati Bhavan’s Independence Day At Home reception to serve these 7 dishes from 4 Indian statesIdli to Cheela: 9 ways to add sooji to daily breakfast7 quiet dog breeds that make great companions for familiesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence Day123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Awarapan 2’ OTT release: When and where to stream Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani starrer sequel online after its theatrical release? Trisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony Quote of the day by Guglielmo Marconi: “Have I done the world good, or have I added a menace?” PoK would be protesting today to join J&K if Article 370 hadn’t been revoked: Omar Abdullah The ground beneath 394-foot wind turbines in Poland became unexpected nesting and feeding grounds for wild bees in farmland PM Modi delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort. NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the tricolour pocket square he wore during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.Congress leader Pawan Khera shared a picture of Modi’s outfit on X and sarcastically questioned the design of the pocket square, suggesting that it resembled the Irish tricolour. Watch PM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’In his post, Khera wrote, “Lagta hai sahib ne Urdu mein Tiranga pehna hai. Ya phir Bharat India ki jagah Ireland ka Independence Day mana rahay hain. (Looks like the sahib is wearing the Tricolour in Urdu. Or perhaps, instead of India, he is celebrating Ireland’s Independence Day).”The remark came as India marked its 80th Independence Day, with this year’s celebrations being held under the theme ‘Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047’.Modi delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, continuing a tradition that began with his first such speech in 2014.For the occasion, the Prime Minister wore a red safa featuring yellow and white Bandhani patterns, along with a white kurta and pyjama. He completed the outfit with a brown Nehru jacket and a tricolour pocket square.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesModi’s Independence Day attire has become a recurring point of interest over the years. Since 2014, his colourful turbans and safas have reflected different regional textiles, designs and elements of India’s cultural heritage.His choice of headgear has also attracted attention from fashion enthusiasts and those interested in India’s traditional craftsmanship, making his Independence Day appearance a subject of discussion beyond the political events of the day.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based Delimitation123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Tamil 10 ‘The Common Man’: From contestants to telecast time, here’s everything you need to knowRashtrapati Bhavan’s Independence Day At Home reception to serve these 7 dishes from 4 Indian statesIdli to Cheela: 9 ways to add sooji to daily breakfast7 quiet dog breeds that make great companions for familiesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Aug 15, 2026, 15:34 IST Odisha government expands free education support; Classes 9, 10 students to get textbooks and mid-day meals Rashmika Mandanna’s injury delays Allu Arjun’s ‘Raaka’ by nearly 45 daysuntil September or October as Atlee prioritises recovery: ‘Health needs to come first’ The profound buddhist belief behind this ancient ritual Meet Ryoya Sugimoto: The Japanese teenager who spotted strange jellyfish at a dock and helped scientists identify a species new to science