INDIA: Celebrations for War of Independence anniversary
Updated
In India, year-long celebrations are underway to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1857 uprising, also referred to as India's first war of Independence. Thousands of Indians have started a march to commemorate the anniversary of a revolt against British colonial rulers. The rally was held at the historic Victoria Park in Meerut, a town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh where the uprising began - covering a distance of 80 kilometres, to reach Delhi.
Presenter: Murali Krishnan
MURALI: Chanting patriotic slogans, over 10,000 people began an 80 kilometre march from Meerut to Delhi to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1857 uprising, India's first war of independence.
The marchers, comprising freedom fighters and youths, dressed like Indian soldiers and British officers also mimicked mock clashes with swords and muskets atop multi-coloured floats. A tableau of the court of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, followed by 85 horses of the Remount Veterinary Corp was also on show.
Meerut city, where the seeds of revolt were sown in 1857, was overflowing with banners and posters proclaiming India's unity amid diversity, while the streets were filled with marigold petals.
Freedom fighters from Mangal Pandey to Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, from emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, all historical figures were joyously remembered.
The enthusiastic campaigners, who carried posters with messages referring to the revolt, often broke out into slogans. The rally clearly was a personification of India's unity and its youth power.
Alongside the march, a cultural extravaganza also unfolded as musicians began belting out music to remind the young generation of the country's glorious tradition and history. One hundred and fifty years ago Indian soldiers refused to use rifle bullets presumed to be smeared with beef and pork fat, considered impure by Hindus and Muslims. That prompted a popular revolt against foreign occupation. However, after four months British troops crushed the rebellion and exiled the last Mughal emperor, Bahadhur Shah Zafar to then Burma.
Sports and youth affairs minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, who flagged off the rally also walked some distance with the procession.
MANI (IN HINDI): I have full faith in this generation and there is no necessity to instruct them of their patriotic sentiments.
MURALI: The celebrations have also opened up tours of significant palaces, forts, monuments and cities of the Mughal period, which was witness to the mutiny.
That journey is expected to take tourists and citizens down that period in history when Delhi was not yet the capital of India but the seat of the fading Mughal Empire, when the British East India Company was to hand over control directly to the Queen, Meerut where the rebellion started, Lucknow which was then the most splendid city, Kanpur the scene of many bloody battles and Agra an important historical city with the crowning glory of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal.
Historian Amit Kalra explains the significance of the celebrations.
KALRA: Well it's only appropriate that the government is marking this anniversary. It marks a clarion call for battle against the Imperialist British in India and it's only fitting that the government and the people of India remember the colonial struggle that was waged by our forefathers against British rule and to remember that independence comes at a price and freedom comes at a price.
MURALI: The feeling of patriotism will echo in many parts of the country in year-long celebrations, which is estimated at $34 million
