Mumbai, August 11: India will celebrate 72 years of Independence on August 15, 2018. There is no dearth of festivals in India, courtesy the vast diversity in this country, but August 15 is a special and proud occasion for all Indians as it is a national festival for the citizens. The day is marked with unfurling the national flag, playing patriotic songs and people getting together to enjoy the anniversary of India's freedom.
As mentioned above, freedom is never given. It has to be earned. Every free morning or unchained present has a great deal of struggle and effort behind it. August 15, Independence Day, is also an occasion to remember and revisit the glorious fight for freedom, which brought the leaders and masses on one platform. And an important part of any freedom struggle is agitation. And no agitation is complete without slogans. Slogans are to struggle, what symbols are to followers. Mentioned below are some of the most famous and unforgettable slogans by Indian Freedom Fighters.
1. "Vande Mataram" by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Vande Mataram (Mother, I bow to thee) is a Bengali poem written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1870s, which he included in his 1881 novel Anandamath. The poem was composed into song by Rabindranath Tagore. The first two verses of the song were adopted as the National Song of India in October 1937.
2. "Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it" by Bal Gangadhar Tilak
The Britishers called Bal Gangadhar Tilak, 'The Father of the Indian unrest' because it was his slogan that energized the Indian masses to strive for freedom, which Tilak said was their birthright.
3. "Inquilab Zindabad" by Bhagat Singh
This slogan was coined by the Urdu poet and Indian freedom fighter Maulana Hasrat Mohani in 1921. But it was popularized by the freedom fighter and revolutionary icon Bhagat Singh (1907 - 1931) during the late 1920s through his speeches and writings. It was also the official slogan of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
4. "Satyameva Jayate" by Madan Mohan Malaviya
The slogan "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth alone will triumph) is also a legacy given to the nation by Pandit Malaviya as the President of the Indian National Congress in its session of 1918 at Delhi, by saying that this slogan from the Mundakopanishad should be the slogan for the nation.
5. "Simon Go Back" by Lala Lajpat Rai
Thousands shouted "Simon, go back!" The lion of Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai, was leading the procession against the British Government appointed commission headed by John Simon, which was given the task of framing a new constitution to govern India under the Government of India Act, 1930.
6. "Jai Hind" by Subhash Chandra Bose
One of the most popular slogans from the freedom struggle was given by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, a colossal figure among the Indian freedom movement. Bose, formed the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army), to take on the British military might.
7. "Give me blood and I will give you freedom" by Subhash Chandra Bose
Another popular slogan given by Netaji, during a speech he made. Exhorting Indians to rise in revolt against the British rule, Subhash Chandra Bose made the call saying "Give me blood and I will give you freedom."
8. "We are Indians firstly and lastly!" by Dr. BR Ambedkar
Dr. BR Ambedkar, also known as the father of the Indian Constitution, for his contribution to the Indian Republic, on the question of identity, said clearly that, "We are Indians firstly and lastly."
9. "Quit India" by Mahatma Gandhi
The Quit India slogan is a part of speech made by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942, on the eve of the Quit India movement.
10. "Do or Die" by Mahatma Gandhi
The father of the nation, called for determined, but passive resistance that signified the certitude that Gandhi foresaw for the freedom movement, best described by his call to Do or Die.
Slogans encourage the followers and create a sense of purpose among those fighting for a cause. Slogans also direct, and the more relevant the slogan, the more powerful it becomes. The above slogans are a treasure for any student of history, trying to understand how effective and popular struggles are led. The freedom struggle saw many freedom fighters give their lives away and many leaders who dedicated every breath to the great cause of freedom. Get Quotes and Patriotic Sayings by Freedom Fighters to Evoke Pride for India on 15th August here. Happy Independence Day.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2018 10:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).