Prime Minister wishes Indian community an Independence Day of ‘pride, gratitude and hope’

“On behalf of all Australians, and in the spirit of that first day 72 years ago, I wish our Indian community an Independence Day of pride, gratitude and hope,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a special message.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (file pic) Source: (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shared special wishes for the Indian community living in Australia on India’s 73^rd Independence Day.

India gained its independence from the British rule on August 15^th 1947.

In his Independence Day message, PM Morrison acknowledged the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in India’ fight for freedom and recalled the words of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who delivered an iconic speech on the day India celebrated its first Independence Day.

“To all who hold this day dear, it is a reminder of the promise of freedom and the strength of hope. It recalls the powerful testimony of peaceful protest, the vision and devotion of the ‘Great Soul’, Gandhi, and the modern emergence of a proud and free nation.

“On that first Independence Day, in August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru called for the people of India to take up their ‘tryst with destiny’ and share the great adventure of a new age. He spoke of a new star of freedom rising, a new hope and a long-cherished vision coming into being.

“As someone born in the 19^th century, Nehru could not have imagined how a 21^st century India would fulfil that destiny, but without doubt the call of freedom has shaped the world’s largest democracy and its extraordinary advance in the modern world.

“Australia and India remain firm friends and partners in this new world, and our people share the optimism and confidence that comes from freedom’s call.

“On behalf of all Australians, and in the spirit of that first day 72 years ago, I wish our Indian community an Independence Day of pride, gratitude and hope,” he said in a special message.

Earlier this year, PM Morrison called sharing January 26th as a national day for India and Australia as a 'wonderful co-incidence in history' in his Republic Day message for the Indian community living in Australia. 

India celebrates its' Republic Day, the same day, as Australia celebrates its Australia Day. 

The Indian Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. 

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