2023 marks the 77th anniversary of Indian Independence Day - the historic moment the nation became independent from Britain.
Australia was perhaps the first country to host an outdoor celebration of India’s independence after the historic announcement on the stroke of midnight of August 14, 1947.
Nehru listens as the Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, declares India's Independence 1947. Source: Getty
Sir Paranjpye hoisted the tri-colour flag with the words “Jai Hind” (victory to India) and explained the meaning of the saffron, white and green colours in the flag.
A photograph of the Indian flag hoisting ceremony at Canberra on 15th August 1947, published by The Daily Telegraph, Sydney Source: trove.nla.gov.au
Sir Paranjpye had been the representative of united India since 1944 and became the High Commissioner of the new dominion of India when it gained its independence. In his long speech he said he hoped for reunification of India and Pakistan, as reported by the Townsville Daily Bulletin.
“… many Indians cherish the hope that, after this partition has been seen in actual working for a short time, better counsels will prevail and that the two separate Dominions will once again come together and form a United India.”
Front page of The Courier Mail newspaper on 15th August 1947 Source: trove.nla.gov.au
Celebrations nationwide
The official representatives of India had called for celebrations around the country and the tri-colour was unfurled in many locations.
The Sydney Morning Herald had published a photograph of the hoisting of Indian and Pakistan flags on-board the steamer Chupra which happened to be at Sydney on that day. The report said that both flags were “hand-made on board by the members of the ship’s crew”.
Flags of the newly formed Indian and Pakistan dominions hoisted on-board steamer Chupra on 15th August 1947. Image published by Sydney Morning Herald Source: trove.nla.gov.au
Moslem Pakistan and Hindu India
Most Australian newspapers had carried the news of India’s and Pakistan’s independence as front page lead news.
The Age – published from Melbourne – wrote on August 15: New Era in India – Pakistan and Hindustan. The next morning, they carried the headline “British rule in India ends”.
The Mercury newspaper from Hobart had clearly distinguished both newly born countries on religious lines: “the rioting reached a new peak as Moslem Pakistan today took dominion status and Hindu India prepared to become a dominion tomorrow.”
Front page of The Mercury newspaper published from Hobart on 15 August, 1947 Source: trove.nla.gov.au
“Viceroy proclaims Pakistan Free”, says the front page, giving focus on the riots too.
The front page of the Daily Telegraph newspaper on 15th August, 1947 Source: trove.nla.gov.au
All Australian newspapers gave detailed reports on the riots that followed the creation of India and Pakistan.
An Indian child vendor sells Indian national flags near the landmark Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation illuminated on the eve of the Indian Independence Day. Source: AAP
