Partition Horrors Remembrance Day
August 14, Thursday
History of the holiday
On August 14, 1947, one of the greatest events of the 20th century took place — the partition of British India. This decision, made during decolonization, was accompanied by mass migrations, violence, and interreligious clashes. Millions of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs were forced to leave their homes, and hundreds of thousands died.
The remembrance day was officially established by the Indian government in 2021 to honor the victims of the tragedy and to remind of the importance of interreligious harmony.
Meaning of the holiday
The remembrance day aims to:
* preserve the historical memory of the events of 1947,
* honor the victims and survivors,
* strengthen ideas of peace and unity,
* remind future generations of the consequences of the partition.
How it is observed
On this day, the following are held:
* memorial ceremonies and laying of flowers,
* meetings with eyewitnesses and sharing of their stories,
* exhibitions of photographs and archival documents,
* thematic lectures and discussions in educational institutions,
* broadcasts of documentaries about the partition events.
Interesting fact
The partition of India and Pakistan became the largest migration in history, when more than 10 million people crossed new borders seeking safety. It also led to the formation of a deep cultural and political divide, the consequences of which are still felt today.