Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
August 14 will now mark horrors of Partition: PM MI-17 CHOPPERS, NEERAJ CHOPRA WILL BE AMONG I-DAY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that August 14 will now be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in memory of the struggles and sacrifices people have made, and said that the pain of Partition was something that could never be forgotten.
“Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence. In memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people, 14th August will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day,” PM Modi tweeted.
In a subsequent tweet, he said lessons should be drawn from the violence that erupted during Partition to further enhance harmony and human empowerment. “May the #PartitionHorrorsRemembranceDay keep reminding us of the need to remove the poison of social divisions, disharmony and further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment,” he said.
Pakistan was carved out as a country after the division of India by the British colonial rule in 1947, and millions of people were displaced and many lost their lives as large-scale rioting broke out. India will celebrate its 75th Independence Day Sunday.
Hours after the PM’s announcement, the Union home ministry issued a notification declaring that August 14 will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to salute those who sacrificed their lives during Partition.
NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are set to make an appearance at the Independence Day celebrations on Sunday after a gap of 24 years. Two Mi-17 V5 helicopters will shower petals on the venue as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the national flag, the defence ministry said Saturday. The IAF’s Su-30s, Mi-8s and the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team took part in the 1997 celebrations to mark the 50th Independence Day. The country is now celebrating “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, marking the 75th year of Independence. Another highlight will be javelin star Subedar Neeraj Chopra, who won India’s first gold medal in track and field at the Tokyo Olympics and is among the invitees.