Today, Tuesday, August 15, 2023, India marks 76th year of Independence. India gained freedom from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947. As the country gears up to celebrate the 77th Independence Day, it is crucial to remember the importance of this day, the history of this great nation, and the sacrifices the freedom fighters made to gain freedom from the clutches of the British Empire. On this day, the proud Indian patriotic people hoist flags while singing the national anthem and cultural parades take place all over this largest democracy on planet Earth.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also hoists the national flag and gives a speech at the Red Fort. It is a tradition started by the first PM of India, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, who raised the national flag above the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi in 1947.
Veteran Buddhist leader, Dr. Damenda Porage, the Chairman, of the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood, Sri Lanka and Co-editor, of Satipatthana Buddhist Magazinehas issued a media release expressing solidarity with India. In his message, he says that the Buddhist Maha Sangha and the people of Sri Lanka strongly and openly reiterated the commitment to safeguarding India’s regional interest and her neighbours in the Indian Ocean zone against threats from anti-democratic and hegemonic forces. He further stated that the people of Sri Lanka are thankful for India’s prompt and wholehearted humanitarian assistance during the long years of the coronavirus pandemic and the magnanimous humanitarian support and assistance to feed and rescue the people of Sri Lanka during the recent recession.
The full media release is below.
Media Release
India, our invaluable neighbour and the largest democracy in the world is today celebrating her 77th Independence Day, a momentous annual event in the annals of independent India.
Even as all people of India, the Indians and the Indian origin people living all over the world join in celebrating this occasion exultantly, and from Sri Lanka, we too unite and are delighted to convey our exuberant greetings and a great salute to the“the sovereign, secular and benevolent democracy.”
The people of Sri Lanka are delighted in sharing the spirit of the celebrations and conveying their greetings to the government of India and its people, led by the iconic statesman Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
We still cherish the historical occasion of Prime Minister Shri Modi’s arrival to participate in the UN-declared international Vesak day celebrations in Colombo in May 2017; his immediate arrival in Sri Lanka to share our grievances after disastrous bomb blasts on Easter Sunday on the 21st of April 2019; and the ever-continuing benevolent support and assistance towards strengthening the historical, cultural, spiritual, linguistic and traditional relations.
Our indebtedness is ineffable in mere words for India’s swift humanitarian and all medicinal-related support and assistance during the long years of the coronaviruspandemic and the magnanimous support and assistance to feed and rescue the people of Sri Lanka in the recent past.
The Buddhist Maha Sangha of Sri Lanka has strongly and openly reiterated its commitment to safeguarding India’s regional interest and her neighbours in the Indian Ocean zone against threats from anti-democratic and hegemonic forces.
We remain committed towards the growth of India from strength to strength as a democratic country and strongly believe that our retention remains inviolable inIndia. We convey our heartiest greetings to the leadership and the people of India on this very auspicious occasion.
Happy Independence Day 2023! Jai Hind!
Dr Damenda Porage
Chairman, Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood
15th August 2023, Colombo – Sri Lanka
