We all celebrate 15^th August as Independence Day each year. Almost every Indian grows up hearing and even studying various struggles and sacrifices that our national leaders had while fighting for the freedom on India. Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, these names are known by every countryman. However, there are a few facts that are still unknown to the masses. We’ve compiled them for you to understand our history and legacy even better.

• India unofficially got its independence on July 18, 1947, but 15th August was officially decided as India’s Independence Day by Mountbatten. He chose this day because this day was also recognized as the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allied Forces in World War II.
• Though, the Partition Plan was announced on June 3, 1947, but implemented on 14th August 1947 and on the same day Pakistan was established. Next day, on August 15th, 1947, the foundation of the Independent Sovereign Republic of India was laid. The partition had cost more than a million lives, and nearly 3.5 million Hindus and Sikhs migrated from Pakistan to India and about 5 million Muslims from India to Pakistan.
• The National flag of India was first unfurled on August 7, 1906, at the Parsee Bagan Square in Calcutta, and it had horizontal stripes of red, yellow and green. The red stripe at the top consisted of 8 white lotuses imprinted on the flag in a line. On the yellow strip, Vande Mataram was written in Hindi. There was a white sun on the left and a white crescent and star on the right imprinted on the green strip.
• Our country got its name ‘India’ from the River Indus, a place which was home to the country’s first inhabitants.
• No country had ever been invaded by India in the last thousand centuries of its history.
• India shares its Independence Day with five more countries on August 15, but with different years. The countries are Bahrain, North Korea, South Korea, Congo, and Liechtenstein.
• Even after India became independent in 1947, Goa still remained a Portuguese colony. Portugal made amendments in its constitution stating Goa as a Portuguese state. It was made a part of India in 1961 after Indian troops annexed the state to India.
• The Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission is the only licensed company engaged in the production and supply of Indian flag. The Karnataka Khadi Gramodyog Samyukta Sangha located in Dharwad is the only manufacturer of the flag made with cotton.
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, featured on the famous Vogue magazine because of his unique dressing sense. His jacket became a popular fashion trend in the West and came to be known as the ‘Nehru jacket’.
• Cyril John Radcliffe was given the task of drawing the borders of Independent India. Despite the fact that he had never come to India, he was given this task of the division of the country.
• Hindi was declared as the official language of India on 14th September 1949. It is not the national language of the country. Article 343 of the Indian Constitution mentions Hindi in Devnagari script as the official language of India.
• The price of 10 grams of gold was Rs 88.62 at the time of independence.

Being single is amazing. Being single is, simply a great experience. Not only does it allow you to have a little fun, but it can be a great way to date the most special person in your life. Don’t go searching for love just yet rather it will come along, and when it does, you’ll be ready for it. Although we are forced to dream about the benefits of a relationship, there are so many perks of the single life which are often underrated and overlooked.

Spend time with your loved ones

Relationships come and go, but friends and family are often around for much longer. You being single is a chance to spend quality time with those in your life who matter the most. You don’t want to look back and regret not having spent enough time with them.

Work more play more

Live it up now when you have the time and energy to do so. Don’t let anything stop you from managing everything head-on, whether that’s in school, at work, or in play. Start now!

Do self-reflection

Are you content with what you did today? Is there room for enhancement? Don’t criticize, but remember to take the time to think about yourself and your life. This is an opportunity to get to know yourself and really connect with your values and thoughts. Use this chance to evaluate these. Later, you’ll need this information when new love interests enter your life.

Enjoy your freedom

You can do whatever you want, so find out what your passion is and follow it! Utilize this time and make it count. No matter how big or how small the opportunity is, commit to saying yes whenever you can. It will open up more avenues than you think!

Travel a lot

This does not require a relationship thing. You can go with friends, family, or even a social group or even alone, when safe. There are many amazing experiences to enjoy around the world. However, some people wait to have them until they have a partner to share it with. Those things can change your life and affect you forever. Doing those things alone can feel even more empowering and liberating.

Plan for yourself

All the things you would do or plan for if you would have a partner; you can still do for yourself. You are independent and can make your own decisions without getting permission or needing to check in with anyone. So appreciate saving your money or enjoy spending it on yourself. When it is just you, you are in control of it all without guilt. 

Staying single is not a punishment. It is not something to fear or mourn for. You can learn how to enjoy being single as well as own your independence and learning this is not as hard as it sounds. There is a misconception that being single is the worst thing you can be. Definitely, a relationship can add colours to your life, but that is not the only way to be happy, fulfilled, or successful.