Unknown things about India’s I-Day!

Firstly, wishing you all a very Happy Independence Day! Today being India’s 71st I-Day, we all as patriotic citizens would be busy in the celebrations and merriment. This occasion is apt to reveal certain unknown facts associated to India’s I-Day, what exactly happened during the process of gaining Independence, how and why it happened. You will be amazed by certain facts and they are interesting and every Indian should know about this...  Why was 15th August 1947 declared as I-Day for India? Have you ever wondered as to why 15th August 1947 was declared as India’s Independence Day? The reason goes as follows. When there were rage and growing demand for independence in India, British had to declare a date as soon as possible. So, the then British Viceroy Lord Mountbatten had declared 15th August 1947 as the day. On being asked the reason for the day, he said that it was just out of blue! Also, he added that it was the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender! Japan had surrendered on 15th August 1945 on being destroyed by the atomic bombs. The date was of personal appeal to Mountbatten as he himself had accepted Japan’s surrender in Singapore. Partition took place two days after 15th August Partition would lead to terrifying and raging repercussions in the Raj which was inevitable. Especially splitting of Punjab would lead to great distress. Thus the only way to control the situation was announcing the partition before 15th August so that the people who wish to migrate can do so. For the same, the then Governor of Punjab Evan Jenkins started writing letters to Lord Mountbatten to have Boundary Award published before August 15. It had to be ready by August 9. But to everyone’s shock, Mountbatten refused to publish before 17th August. Later, stating the reason for the delay, Mountbatten said that he did not want British to bear any responsibility about the tensions in Punjab because killings would take place after the Raj ceases to exist. However, the event as described by Mountbatten came into action when the partition of Punjab was announced and there was an explosion of rage and discontent in the state. I-Day showed loads of affection to departing colonizers! To everyone’s amazement, on the day of Independence that is the 15th August, when ceremonies of transfer of power were being conducted, along with cries and praises for Gandhiji and Nehru, people were yelling praises for India’s last Governor General Lord Mountbatten! Cries of ‘Mountbatten Zindabad’ and ‘Lord Sahib Zindabad’ were heard! This was very shocking as no other Governor General of India in their reign was ever greeted. Also, to not offend British Sensibilities, the lowering of Union Jack was skipped and the British troops were given warm send off both in Delhi and Mumbai. Interesting isn’t it?