On the eve of the 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered those who lost their lives in the partition of the country, as the nation observed ‘Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas’ (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day) on Monday.

Modi paid tributes to them and recalled the struggles of those who were uprooted from their homes during the 1947 partition. The day was first observed in 2021, after an announcement by the PM.

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In a tweet, the PM said; “Partition Vibhishika Memorial Day is an occasion to reverently remember those Indians whose lives were sacrificed in the partition of the country. Along with this, the day also reminds us of the suffering and struggle of those who were forced to bear the brunt of displacement. I bow down to all such people.”

The partition of India was one of the most defining events in the history of the Indian subcontinent. With no accurate accounts of how many died or lost their homes, estimates suggest that up to 20 million people were affected by the partition and somewhere between 200,000 – 1 million lost their lives.

The day aims to remind Indians of the need to remove social divisions and disharmony and to further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment.

Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep S. Puri honoured 75 great personalities who faced the tragedy of partition, at the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day organised by the Ministry of Culture. He stated that the day will ensure that future generations never forget the pain and suffering of the countless people that were displaced and the millions that lost their lives due to the communal tensions (hate and violence) that occurred during that time. Remembering those who lost lives during the tragic partition, he claimed that the wrong policies of those in charge led to the partition of India.

Meanwhile, the BJP’s Andhra Pradesh unit organised various programmes as a part of the observance of the Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day), in response to a call given by the Central government.

Amidst tight security in the national capital, the PM will lead the nation in celebrating the 77th Independence Day from the iconic Red Fort tomorrow. He will unfurl the National Flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the historic monument. Independence day functions will also be held in different state capitals.

This year’s Independence Day will culminate at the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, which were launched by the PM from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on 12 March 2021 and will, once again, usher the country into ‘Amrit Kaal’ with renewed vigour to realise the dream of making India a developed country by 2047. A number of new initiatives have been taken to celebrate the 77th Independence Day. A large number of guests have been invited as compared to last year.

In his address which will be his last Independence Day speech during his second term in office, the PM is expected to give the report card of his government to the people. He is likely to speak on political, economic and foreign policy issues. Observers say the PM could sound the bugle for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from the Red Fort.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, meanwhile, hoisted the Tricolour atop his residence in New Delhi, under the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and shared his selfie with the ‘Tiranga’. Through tweets, Shah said that millions of Tirangas billowing in Indian skies before Independence Day symbolise the nation’s collective will to make India the paragon of greatness again.