Indepence day

Introduction : 

The day  on which India attained legislative sovereignty through an act passed by the parliament of United Kingdom, is celebrated as the Independence Day of India. The Indian Independence Act passed by the Parliament of United Kingdom on 15^thAugust 1947, transferred all the legislative powers to the Indian Constituent Assembly, which was constituted to write the Constitution of India. It was an outcome of a long battle applying the principles of non violence and civil disobedience, against the suppressions of British Empire.

Independence Day – Background

Sometimes during the 17^th Century British came to India showing trading interests in the sub continent. They were amazed by the prosperity of kingdoms and rich topography of the sub continent. Slowly they started making foothold into the nation by increasing trading activities. Here, came to the fore “East India Company” which was supposed to be a trading company reporting to its board of directors in London; nevertheless, eyeing the unlimited wealth opportunities that the subcontinent offered, East India Company, forcefully occupied powers of the government and judiciary. This period of Indian history from 1757 to 1858 is termed as the “Company Rule”.

Things went on the same until the rebellion of 1857, when the rule of East India Company in India was transferred to Queen Victoria through Government of India Act 1857. This Act established the British Crown as the ultimate ruler of India.

In the following decades, civil societies and political parties in India gradually became strong, demanding self rule or Swaraj. A long battle of non violence and non cooperation ensued, finally resulting in India achieving independence on 15^th August 1947.

Significance of Independence Day

Independence was gained after nearly two centuries of subjugation under, firstly, the East India company and secondly the British Crown. It was a period of unethical suppression and tremendous exploitation of our resources at the hands of Britishers.

Kingdoms were forcefully occupied, kings were dethroned and punished for no apparent reason, farmers and small traders were made vulnerable by imposing new tax laws. The whole nation had felt the pain of subjugation, for every moment under the Crown. It was therefore a big achievement and a reason to celebrate when independence was finally gained on 15^th August 1947.

The significance of the day is defined by the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters and other countrymen, in the struggle for independence. Millions of Indians have lost their lives in the freedom fight. The day reminds us to commemorate those who have sacrificed their all to make us breathe in freedom.

Independence Day also reminds us that we were able to break free from shackles of British Empire, because we fought against it, united. People from different religions, caste, financial background, culture, fought together diminishing their demographic differences. Therefore, the day reminds us to stay united as it the key to stay safe and independent.

Independence Day Celebrations

Independence Day of India is celebrated as a National Festival in India. People belonging to different religion, caste and culture celebrate the day together, infused with the feelings of nationalism and patriotism. The festive fervor could well be seen on the streets, offices, schools, colleges, houses, throughout the nation. The air reverberates with patriotic songs and national anthem. Fluttering tricolor of various shapes and sizes is a common sight on the day.

Below we will go through details of celebrations in some of the significant locations of the nation.

Celebrations at Delhi

         National capital Delhi is the center for the    most distinguished Independence Day         celebrations. On the evening before       Independence Day, Prime Minister of India   addresses the nation on Tele Vision,     congratulating citizens and remembering the   freedom fighters.

Next day, huge crowd emerged at the Red Fort to witness flag hoisting ceremony by the Prime Minister. Thousands of people from across the country and several dignitaries are present to honor the national flag and to witness the events following it.

Flag hoisting is concurrently followed by the singing of national anthem and then a 21 gun salute in the honour of the Prime Minister. After the gun salute, the Prime Minister once again addresses the nation and remembers the freedom fighters and their struggles.

The speech is followed by a march past by Indian army and other armed forces. Tableaus depicting religious and cultural heritage of various Indian states, also take part in the procession.

        Celebrations in Schools and Offices

Schools, colleges and offices throughout India celebrate Independence Day with almost equal zeal and enthusiasm. Participation of children in the celebrations is more prominent and they seem to be at the centre of all the preparations. Celebrations begin with the head of the institution hoisting the national flag in presence of students and other staff members.

Several competitions, cultural events, plays are organized in schools by the children themselves, as a reminiscence of India’s freedom struggle and also to commemorate the great freedom fighters. Children get dressed up as various freedom fighters and cry famous slogans of Indian struggle – “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Jai Hind”, “Vande Matram” etc. School also distributes sweets among the students and staff members to celebrate the day.

The celebration in offices is also celebrated with the same patriotic zeal; though, with slightly different events. Flag hoisting is compulsory in all government institutions, with mandatory attendance. The flag ceremony is followed by speeches by the staff members, which usually is a commemoration of freedom fighters and reminiscence of the freedom struggle.

People in the streets too are seen greeting each other and buying tricolors to adorn their houses and vehicles. In 2002 Flag code of India was amended to allow private citizens to display the flag, but with certain rules and regulations.

        Activities on Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm in different parts of our country. Various big and small events are organized in schools, colleges, offices and residential societies to celebrate this day. Here are some of the activities done on Independence Day:

Flag Hoisting: On this day, the Prime Minister of our country hoists the Indian National Flag at Red Fort. This is followed by 21 gun shots in the honour of the occasion. Flag hoisting is done as a part of the Independence Day celebration throughout the country.

Speeches/ Debates/ Quiz: Speeches are delivered as a part of Independence Day celebration in schools, colleges and other places. Debate and quiz competitions are also held in educational institutes. Essay writing and painting competitions are also organized to celebrate this day.

Fancy Dress Competitions: Fancy dress competitions are held in schools and residential societies. Small kids are seen dressed up as freedom fighters.

Kite Flying Competition: Kite flying competitions are also held on this day. Numerous colourful kits are seen flying in the sky. This is seen as a mark of freedom.

Sweet Distribution: Sweets are distributed after flag hoisting.

                          Conclusion

Independence Day is celebrated with immense zeal all across our country. People of all ages come forward to celebrate this day. Songs are sung in praise of the freedom fighters as well as our motherland. People are seen dressed up in tri-colour. The sky seems full of kites and there is joy all around.

La Belle Dams Sans Mercy by John Keats

          " A thing of beauty is a joy forever. " 

                                            - John Keats 
About poet : 

"La Belle Dams Sans Merci" was written by John Keats . 

Born : 1795

Died : 1821

Occupation : Poet 

John Keats was  English Romantic poet. He was one of the main figures of the second generation of Romantic poets, along with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley despite his works having been in publication for only four years before his death from tuberculosis at the age of 25.

His works : 

To Autumn 

Ode to a Nightingale 

Endymino

When I Have Fears 

About poem : 

La Belle Dame sans Merci" ("The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy") is a ballad produced by the English poet John Keats in 1819. The title was derived from the title of a 15th-century poem by Alain Chartier called " La Belle Sans Mercy " . 

There are two version of this very famous ballad . The first version is form the original manuscript and second version is its first published form . The first is generally considered as the best . 

Poem : 

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, 
Alone and palely loitering? 
The sedge has withered from the lake, 
And no birds sing. 

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, 
So haggard and so woe-begone? 
The squirrel’s granary is full, 
And the harvest’s done. 

I see a lily on thy brow, 
With anguish moist and fever-dew, 
And on thy cheeks a fading rose 
Fast withereth too. 

I met a lady in the meads, 
Full beautiful—a faery’s child, 
Her hair was long, her foot was light, 
And her eyes were wild. 

I made a garland for her head, 
And bracelets too, and fragrant zone; 
She looked at me as she did love, 
And made sweet moan 

I set her on my pacing steed, 
And nothing else saw all day long, 
For sidelong would she bend, and sing 
A faery’s song. 

She found me roots of relish sweet, 
And honey wild, and manna-dew, 
And sure in language strange she said— 
‘I love thee true’. 

She took me to her Elfin grot, 
And there she wept and sighed full sore, 
And there I shut her wild wild eyes 
With kisses four. 

And there she lulled me asleep, 
And there I dreamed—Ah! woe betide!— 
The latest dream I ever dreamt 
On the cold hill side. 

I saw pale kings and princes too, 
Pale warriors, death-pale were they all; 
They cried—‘La Belle Dame sans Merci 
Thee hath in thrall!’ 

I saw their starved lips in the gloam, 
With horrid warning gaped wide, 
And I awoke and found me here, 
On the cold hill’s side. 

And this is why I sojourn here, 
Alone and palely loitering, 
Though the sedge is withered from the lake, 
And no birds sing.

Analysis : 

This is considered to be Keats's most perfect poem . The theme of the poem is unrequited love . There is something autobiographical about this poem because Keats's own love for Fanny Brawne remained unrequited . 

The poem approximates the condition of drama . The Knight himself tells his tale in a kind of dramatic monologue . The environment and narrative poem . 

The poet in the course of his meanderings happened to meet young Knight in a strange place . The poet asked the knight why he looked so frightened and miserable . The knight replied that some time ago , in a far off meadow , he met a beautiful lady with long hair and wild eyes . He fell in love with her and adorned her with her with a wreath , bracelets and belt , all made of fragement flowers . 

Afterwards he put her on his horse and he walked alongside as she sang her exotic songs. She knew just where to look for sweet and heavenly foods. I ate them and she loved me for it, even though I didn't really understand what was happening.

She took me to her special place, deep in a grotto, where she became so emotional I had to reassure her, so wild were her eyes. I kissed them 4 times. She calmed me down too, so much so I feel asleep and had a dream. There was trouble brewing. That was my last ever dream.

In the dream I saw pale kings, warriors and princes, near to death. They were warning me about the beautiful woman. Their mouths were gaping open in that dreamy twilight gloom. Then i woke up on a cold hill side. And so you find me here by the lake. I don't know what I'm doing.

Conclusion : 

The whole poem suggests that the borderline between reality and imagination is often blurred. We give ourselves up to ideals of beauty, then in a trice it is gone, or we go through experiences that are not to our liking, that leave us spent, hollowed out.

Daybreak by H.W.Longfellow

                            

                         

" The sky is filled with stars , invisible by day "                                                    -  H.W.Longfellow 

H.w.Longfellow was an American poet and educator . 

Born : 1807

Died : 1882

Occupation : Poet , Professor 

Longfellow was born in Portland , Maine , which was then still part of Massachusetts . He studied at Bowdoin college and after spending time in Europe , he become professor at Bowdoin and later at Harvard college .

His first collections were " Voice of the Night " ( 1839 ) and Ballad and other poems ( 1841 ).

Longfellow wrote many lyric poems knows for their musicality and often presenting stories of mythology and legend . He became the most popular American poet of his day . 

His poems : 

Paul Rever's Ride 

The song of Hiawatha 

Evangeline 

About poem : 

Daybreak is very beautiful poem by H.W.Longfellow . The poem describes the daybreak and description of poem is very beautiful . Poet used wind to interact with other things . 

Analysis :

"Daybreak" has  written in 9 rhyming couplets and follows the spirited progression of a gush of wind as it rises out of the sea and crosses onto the land , announcing the arrival of the day . 

As given in the textbook Longfellow presents day as a special presence that is hailed and before whom everybody bows . However , it can also be interpreted and personified as a source of joy and freshness that it keeps spreading around itself . Primarily , the wind rushes out and clears the mist as if almost telling the mist to make room for it . 

      " A wind came up out of the sea " 

At daybreak a wind rises from the sea . It received the message of the morning and stars to blow . It takes up a duty to spread the news . The heavy misis obstruct the wind . But the wind is determined to blow . It is in haste and wants to make all awake . So it requests the mists not to obstruct it . It first sees the ships anchored . But they should be set free from their anchors as the sun rises and darkness is over .  

The wind reminds the mariners to undertake a new journey . It blows over the distant lands and calls all to arise and awake . It calls the forest to unfold it's leaves , twings and branches fully and freely . It tells the wood birds to get up and start singing . Their song will announce the beginning of the day . It prompts the domestic cocks to herald the day . 

The light of sun is source of life to the plants of the fields . They are looked after and nourished by it . They should be greatful to the sun . So the wind tells them to bow down their heads and express their gratitude . The wind passes through the church tower and result is the bell ti ring in the pleasant hour . Finally , the wind arrives at the graveyard of the church . It signs sadly for the dead and softly tells them to sleep on because it is not yet the judgement day . 

Phonological level : 

Rhyming scheme : 

The rhyming scheme of the poem is AABB and it is a melodic couplet with musical element . 

Alliteration : 

The use of several words together that beings with the same sound or letter in order to make a special effect . 

Figure of speech : 

Metaphor : 

Leafy banners out is used for forget your worried aspects . 

Folded wings explores the element of close and undone work . 

Personification : 

O mists , make room for me . 

Sail on , ye mariners , the night is gone . 

Conclusion : 

In a nut shell , one can pen it all with positive vibes and what human shall do in the lief that he got is very clear here . The central idea if the poem is urging for work keeping in mind the flow of the wind the poet applies a breezy style to the poem .