Every year on 15th August, we celebrate Independence Day with great enthusiasm to mark the day of liberation from the British Colonial rule. The day marks the birth of the largest democracy in the world. The Quit India Movement of 1942, during the Second World War, was the last nail in the coffin of British rule. India became a free country on 15th August 1947, and this year we will celebrate the 73rd Independence day for the nation.
Several activities are observed on this day every year, beginning with the tricolour flag hoisting. Flag hoisting is done at Red Fort, Delhi, by the PM of India. Parade Marches are also conducted. The President delivers his address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day.
Schools, Colleges, and Government offices celebrate the day with flag hoisting followed by cultural events. As the year 2020 saw a rise in COVID cases and social distancing norms, these activities were not possible with the usual pomp.
As the Covid cases are still on the rise, the day is expected to take a virtual route even this year. To celebrate the same, educational institutions could conduct certain activities. These activities should involve students in the celebration, giving them exposure to the significance and struggle behind the nation’s freedom. Here is a list of online independence day activities for students to celebrate the day.
Online Activities for Students to Perform on Independence Day
Participate In Virtual Flag Hoisting Ceremony
The foremost Independence Day activity for students to bask in the spirit of patriotism is participating in the flag hoisting ceremony. Schools could organise the same from the campus with the presence of limited staff members. Hoisting the tricolour early in the morning brings a unique sense of joy, pride, and a feeling of patriotism.
The flag hoisting is accompanied by singing the national anthem. These activities help students understand and feel the emotions associated with this day. These also inspire them to become responsible citizens.
Enact Skits of Historical Incidents
You can organise a noteworthy incident or movement, such as a dialogue session between two freedom activists. Such Independence day activities have a massive impact on students to understand the importance of the day.
Skits showcasing patriotic feelings based on the nation’s freedom struggle to involve kids. It brings kids closer to understanding the nation’s history. For enacting the plays, children can dress as freedom fighters and give speeches or reiterate the famous sayings of the great freedom activists.
The struggle involved in liberating the nation could be explained through event discussions, such as the Jallianwala Bagh Incident or the Dandi March. Further, to give a proper account of the period, the details about the two groups – radicals and moderates, the education and career positions offered to Indians should be explained. Several books are available for students to understand and appreciate the history of those troubled times.
Invite Students to Participate in Essay competition
A practical set of activities to celebrate the day could be combined with a theoretical approach by organising an essay competition on the theme of the independence movement and India’s national history. An essay writing competition as a part of Independence Day activities for students could be an excellent way to allow students to study the history of the nation and express their knowledge in essay compositions.
The topics could range from Freedom fighters to incidents such as Dandi March and Bomb Blast on British Central Assembly by radicals. Prizes or rewards could be kept as an appeal for more students to participate.
Dance and Song Competition
Although the pandemic has restricted physical presence, online tools such as Video conference applications enable live sessions. As students like participating in cultural events as much as they like to watch these. Using the same, students should be encouraged to sing patriotic songs and perform them. These activities would promote the significance of the day.
Bollywood has created several songs to instil patriotic vibes towards the nation. Students could also dress in tricolour clothes and prepare tricolour food dishes as part of the celebration. Dance forms showcasing the various cultures of the nation, such as Gujarati, Marathi, Sikh and many more, can also be conducted.
After-Celebration Tips
Students need to be sensitised about the after celebration process that must follow the conclusion of every event in the spirit of patriotism and nationalism. They should be taught the proper use of the National Flag and how to take it away after the celebration is over. The Flag should never dip while saluting or bending for any purpose.
Further, to dispose of the national flag in case of damage, the flag should be folded properly and placed in a wooden box. After that, it should be buried in the earth, and a two-minute silence should be observed. Alternatively, the flag could be burned by folding it first and then placing it on fire. Proper awareness of these norms is necessary to nurture your kids into responsible citizens of the country.
Patriotic Movies
The entertainment industry has created several movies that exhibit the freedom struggle, documentaries of freedom fighters, movies on the lives of freedom fighters and other patriotic themes. Students learn about the history of the nation and know about the nation’s boundary tensions from studies.
Further, you can also carry out discussions about the kids’ opinions on the movie. The meaning of humility, discipline, and patriotism can be taught to students from these movies. It can also be a quality family time while commemorating Independence Day.
Independence Day Quizzes and Nation’s History
Independence day should be celebrated to instil a sense of responsibility towards the nation that lasts beyond this one day. For this, the students should be provided resources and quizzes to improve their knowledge about the nation’s history.
Several videos on the cultural and regional diversity of the nation are available on the web. India is a nation of diverse cultures. To learn about the same takes time. A topic-wise Independence Day quiz can be given to students as a part of Independence day activities.
Conclusion
The years 2020 and 2021 have been very difficult years for human survival. Several nations suffered the loss of lives and economy during the lockdown. The frontline warriors are still working day and night to liberate the nation from the COVID Pandemic. To motivate them and to respect our freedom fighters, this 15th August should be celebrated to pay homage to the nation and its real warriors.
Students should be explained the importance of sacrifice for the nation and imbibe values and responsibilities towards their nation through these celebrations. The nation today needs citizens who progress at their individual levels and bring solutions to the nation’s problems. It will help improve the current state of the nation and improve the future of the nation.
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