Friday, April 10, 2015

How India Got Freedom at Midnight

All of us know that India got independence at midnight of 15 August 1947; but there are more interesting aspects to it.

The British Parliament had resolved to set India free on 15 August, which was the second anniversary of Japanese surrender leading to end of WW-II. But as per Indian astrologers, 15 August 1947 was an inauspicious (ashubh) day and a nation born on that day could face breaking-up and great hurdles. Astrologers said that 14th Aug'47 was auspicious but British were adamant about 15th Aug. (also because their authority had to be in Pakistan on 14th morning). So K.M. Panikkar, a historian and astrology expert finally came up with a solution - he suggested that the Constitution Assembly should meet and start the proceedings an hour before the midnight. Pt. Nehru's talk is mentioned as 14-15 August even in speech notes.

We know that as per Hindu Calendar, a date changes with sunrise and not at midnight and hence 00:00:00 of 15 August was actually 14 August by Hindu calendar! And it worked out well - a nation which Western experts claimed won't survive, continued to remain one and prospering...

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