<p>On this day, seventy-nine years ago, a free India took its first breath — a nation unshackled, but still learning how to dream on the world’s stage. Today, as the tricolour flutters proudly in every corner of the country, we remember not just our battles for freedom, but the battles fought in stadiums, arenas, and fields across the globe — where Indians have carried that same flag, and the same fire, into the fight for glory. From the dusty wrestling pits of post-Independence villages to Olympic podiums gleaming under floodlights, from small-town playgrounds to cricket’s grandest stage at Lord’s, our athletes have turned sweat into history and grit into gold. These were not just victories in games — they were affirmations of who we are as a people: relentless, fearless, and unwilling to be written off.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Every medal won, every record broken, every anthem played in a foreign land has been a salute to the nation itself. As we mark India’s 79th Independence Day, this is the story of India’s greatest sporting moments, stitched into the larger fabric of our national pride.</p><h2>Olympic firsts and forever legends</h2><p>The Olympics have been the crucible where some of India’s greatest sporting achievements were made. In 1952 Helsinki, wrestler KD Jadhav became independent India’s first individual Olympic medalist. Four years later in Melbourne, the men’s hockey team struck gold against Pakistan — their first Olympic hockey title as a free nation and sixth consecutive overall. From Leander Paes’ Atlanta 1996 bronze to Karnam Malleswari’s Sydney 2000 bronze, from Abhinav Bindra’s Beijing 2008 Olympic gold to Sushil Kumar’s double Olympic haul (2008 bronze, 2012 silver), the march continued. Tokyo 2020 gave India its first-ever athletics gold through Neeraj Chopra, while Paris 2024 saw Manu Bhaker make history as the first Indian to win two medals in a single games.</p><h3>Football’s golden hour</h3><p>Though Indian football’s fortunes have shifted, the Asian Games gold medals in 1951 New Delhi and 1962 Jakarta remain proud landmarks — reminders that India once ruled in the ‘beautiful game.’</p><h3>Cricket’s coming of age</h3><p>In 1952, Vinoo Mankad’s 12-wicket haul sealed India’s first Test win over England. That same year, India defeated Pakistan to secure their maiden Test series win. Three decades later, in Kapil Dev’s 1983 Cricket World Cup, India stunned the mighty West Indies to become world champions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Then came MS Dhoni’s ICC trophy treble — the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy — making him the first captain to win all ICC white-ball titles and restoring India’s cricketing dominance.</p><h3>Hockey’s World Cup glory</h3><p>In 1975 Kuala Lumpur, India’s hockey team defeated Pakistan 2-1 to claim their first and only Men’s Hockey World Cup title, a triumph still unmatched.</p><h3>Shuttlers, Grandmasters, and Grand Slams</h3><p>Prakash Padukone’s 1980 All England Open win lit the torch for Indian badminton. Pullela Gopichand followed in 2001, paving the way for stars like PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, and the men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy–Chirag Shetty. Sindhu’s 2019 World Championship gold and India’s Thomas Cup 2022 victory further cemented the sport’s rise.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In chess, Viswanathan Anand became India’s first Grandmaster in 1988, inspiring today’s prodigies — D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Divya Deshmukh. In tennis, Mahesh Bhupathi’s 1997 French Open mixed doubles title made him India’s first Grand Slam champion, followed by Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, and Rohan Bopanna.</p><h3>New frontiers in athletics and para-sports</h3><p>After Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold in Tokyo Olympics, his 2023 World Championship win made him India’s first world champion in any athletics discipline. He then went on to win silver in 2024 Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, India’s para-athletes have been rewriting history — from a record 19 medals at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics to 29 medals at Paris 2024.</p><h3>More than games</h3><p>From KD Jadhav’s bronze in 1952 to Manu Bhaker’s golden double in 2024, from Kapil Dev lifting the Cricket World Cup to Neeraj Chopra lifting the nation’s hopes, India’s sporting story is a celebration of patriotism. On this 79th Independence Day, every cheer, every tear, and every chant of the anthem is a reminder that our athletes don’t just play to win — they play for the flag, for the people, and for the idea of India itself.</p>

Golden throws, giant leaps, and the games we will never forget: Celebrating India’s greatest sporting moments in post-independence era

On this day, seventy-nine years ago, a free India took its first breath — a nation unshackled, but still learning how to dream on the world’s stage. Today, as the tricolour flutters proudly in every corner of the country, we remember not just our battles for freedom, but the battles fought in stadiums, arenas, and fields across the globe — where Indians have carried that same flag, and the same fire, into the fight for glory. From the dusty wrestling pits of post-Independence villages to Olympic podiums gleaming under floodlights, from small-town playgrounds to cricket’s grandest stage at Lord’s, our athletes have turned sweat into history and grit into gold. These were not just victories in games — they were affirmations of who we are as a people: relentless, fearless, and unwilling to be written off. Every medal won, every record broken, every anthem played in a foreign land has been a salute to the nation itself. As we mark India’s 79th Independence Day, this is the story of India’s greatest sporting moments, stitched into the larger fabric of our national pride. Olympic firsts and forever legends The Olympics have been the crucible where some of India’s greatest sporting achievements were made. In 1952 Helsinki, wrestler KD Jadhav became independent India’s first individual Olympic medalist. Four years later in Melbourne, the men’s hockey team struck gold against Pakistan — their first Olympic hockey title as a free nation and sixth consecutive overall. From Leander Paes’ Atlanta 1996 bronze to Karnam Malleswari’s Sydney 2000 bronze, from Abhinav Bindra’s Beijing 2008 Olympic gold to Sushil Kumar’s double Olympic haul (2008 bronze, 2012 silver), the march continued. Tokyo 2020 gave India its first-ever athletics gold through Neeraj Chopra, while Paris 2024 saw Manu Bhaker make history as the first Indian to win two medals in a single games. Football’s golden hour Though Indian football’s fortunes have shifted, the Asian Games gold medals in 1951 New Delhi and 1962 Jakarta remain proud landmarks — reminders that India once ruled in the ‘beautiful game.’ Cricket’s coming of age In 1952, Vinoo Mankad’s 12-wicket haul sealed India’s first Test win over England. That same year, India defeated Pakistan to secure their maiden Test series win. Three decades later, in Kapil Dev’s 1983 Cricket World Cup, India stunned the mighty West Indies to become world champions. Then came MS Dhoni’s ICC trophy treble — the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy — making him the first captain to win all ICC white-ball titles and restoring India’s cricketing dominance. Hockey’s World Cup glory In 1975 Kuala Lumpur, India’s hockey team defeated Pakistan 2-1 to claim their first and only Men’s Hockey World Cup title, a triumph still unmatched. Shuttlers, Grandmasters, and Grand Slams Prakash Padukone’s 1980 All England Open win lit the torch for Indian badminton. Pullela Gopichand followed in 2001, paving the way for stars like PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, and the men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy–Chirag Shetty. Sindhu’s 2019 World Championship gold and India’s Thomas Cup 2022 victory further cemented the sport’s rise. In chess, Viswanathan Anand became India’s first Grandmaster in 1988, inspiring today’s prodigies — D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Divya Deshmukh. In tennis, Mahesh Bhupathi’s 1997 French Open mixed doubles title made him India’s first Grand Slam champion, followed by Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, and Rohan Bopanna. New frontiers in athletics and para-sports After Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold in Tokyo Olympics, his 2023 World Championship win made him India’s first world champion in any athletics discipline. He then went on to win silver in 2024 Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, India’s para-athletes have been rewriting history — from a record 19 medals at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics to 29 medals at Paris 2024. More than games From KD Jadhav’s bronze in 1952 to Manu Bhaker’s golden double in 2024, from Kapil Dev lifting the Cricket World Cup to Neeraj Chopra lifting the nation’s hopes, India’s sporting story is a celebration of patriotism. On this 79th Independence Day, every cheer, every tear, and every chant of the anthem is a reminder that our athletes don’t just play to win — they play for the flag, for the people, and for the idea of India itself.

<p>From KD Jadhav to the precision of Abhinav Bindra, from Kapil Dev’s raised World Cup to Neeraj Chopra’s golden throw, India’s sporting story since 1947 is not just about games won or lost — it’s about a nation learning to believe that no podium is out of reach</p>

<p>Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker marked India’s 79th Independence Day with a heartfelt tribute, sharing a video of herself playing the national anthem’s tune on a violin. Posting the clip on Instagram, the ace shooter wrote, “An attempt to play the tune that is closest to my heart this Independence Day. Each time I represent India, I wish to stand on the podium and listen to this. Generally, we sit and play the violin, but this time subconsciously, we stood up while playing the National Anthem. It's the admiration for our nation that cannot be put into words. Jai Hind!”</p><h2>See the video here:&nbsp;</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Each time I represent India, I wish to stand on the podium and listen to this. <br>Jai Hind! 🇮🇳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndependenceDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndependenceDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/YHGLqdu2e4">pic.twitter.com/YHGLqdu2e4</a></p>&mdash; Manu Bhaker🇮🇳 (@realmanubhaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmanubhaker/status/1956229807651610872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>At the Paris Olympics last year, Bhaker scripted history by opening India’s medal tally, winning bronze in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event — becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. She followed it up with another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh, India’s first-ever Olympic shooting team medal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In her final event, the women’s 25m pistol, she narrowly missed a historic treble, finishing fourth. A third medal would have made her the first Indian to win three medals at a single Olympics. Her Paris success was especially sweet after a heartbreaking Tokyo 2021 campaign, where equipment malfunction derailed her medal hopes. In the 10m air pistol qualifiers, a gun malfunction cost her valuable time, leaving her 12th and out of the final. She also finished 15th in the 25m pistol and seventh in the mixed team event.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Beyond the Olympics, Bhaker has consistently brought glory to India. She struck gold in the 25m pistol team event at the 2023 Baku Shooting World Championships, adding to her silver from the 2022 edition. At the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, she clinched 10m air pistol gold, and at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, she again topped the podium in the 25m pistol team event. Her career tally boasts 20 ISSF World Cup medals — 13 gold, three silver, and four bronze — alongside four Asian Championship golds, a silver, and two bronze medals.</p>

WATCH | On India’s 79th Independence Day, Manu Bhaker plays national anthem on violin

Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker marked India’s 79th Independence Day with a heartfelt tribute, sharing a video of herself playing the national anthem’s tune on a violin. Posting the clip on Instagram, the ace shooter wrote, “An attempt to play the tune that is closest to my heart this Independence Day. Each time I represent India, I wish to stand on the podium and listen to this. Generally, we sit and play the violin, but this time subconsciously, we stood up while playing the National Anthem. It's the admiration for our nation that cannot be put into words. Jai Hind!” See the video here:

<p>Manu, received the prestigious Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award for securing two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in the 10m women’s air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event (partnering with Sarabjot Singh),</p>

<p>Independence Day 2025: India's Independence Day is just a few days away. The country celebrates this day every year on August 15, with this year, the day falling on a Friday. Streets and buildings light up, along with tricolour flags swaying.</p><p>India celebrates the historic moment, as in 1947, the country became free from British rule after nearly 200 years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On this day, the whole nation celebrates by hosting the tricolour flag and singing patriotic melodies.</p><h2>Is it 78th or 79th Independence Day?</h2><p>Since always, people get confused about which Independence Day it is. Likewise, this year, there is confusion about whether it will be the 78th or 79th Independence Day.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The reason behind this confusion is that people, while calculating the year, simply subtract 1947 (the year of independence from British rule) from 2025 (the current year), and they get 78 (2025-1947=78). But that's not the correct way to do it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This way, you will get the number of completed years of independence, but not the number of celebrations.</p><h2>Here's how you can calculate</h2><p>The correct way to check which Independence Day it is is to count 1947 as the first Independence Day, and hence 2025 is the 79th Independence Day, according to the government and historical records.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1947: 1st Independence Day<br>1948: 2nd Independence Day<br>.<br>.<br>.<br>2024: 78th Independence Day<br>2025: 79th Independence Day</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Moreover, another easy way to calculate is to subtract 1947 from 2025 and add 1 to it. (2025-1947+1+ 79).</p><p>This calculation will work for every such special day, including Republic Day or Army Day.</p><h2>Theme of 2025 Independence Day</h2><p>The day will begin with the hoisting of the national flag at the Red Fort, followed by a Guard of Honour, rendition of the National Anthem, a 21-gun salute, and a floral shower by Indian Air Force helicopters.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This year, the Indian government, through the ‘My Gov’ website, has requested ideas from people for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech.</p>

The correct way to check which Independence Day it is is to count 1947 as the first Independence Day, and hence 2025 is the 79th Independence Day, according to the government and historical records.

Independence Day 2025: India's Independence Day is just a few days away. The country celebrates this day every year on August 15, with this year, the day falling on a Friday. Streets and buildings light up, along with tricolour flags swaying. India celebrates the historic moment, as in 1947, the country became free from British rule after nearly 200 years. On this day, the whole nation celebrates by hosting the tricolour flag and singing patriotic melodies. Is it 78th or 79th Independence Day? Since always, people get confused about which Independence Day it is. Likewise, this year, there is confusion about whether it will be the 78th or 79th Independence Day. The reason behind this confusion is that people, while calculating the year, simply subtract 1947 (the year of independence from British rule) from 2025 (the current year), and they get 78 (2025-1947=78). But that's not the correct way to do it. This way, you will get the number of completed years of independence, but not the number of celebrations. Here's how you can calculate The correct way to check which Independence Day it is is to count 1947 as the first Independence Day, and hence 2025 is the 79th Independence Day, according to the government and historical records. 1947: 1st Independence Day 1948: 2nd Independence Day . . . 2024: 78th Independence Day 2025: 79th Independence Day Moreover, another easy way to calculate is to subtract 1947 from 2025 and add 1 to it. (2025-1947+1+ 79). This calculation will work for every such special day, including Republic Day or Army Day. Theme of 2025 Independence Day The day will begin with the hoisting of the national flag at the Red Fort, followed by a Guard of Honour, rendition of the National Anthem, a 21-gun salute, and a floral shower by Indian Air Force helicopters. This year, the Indian government, through the ‘My Gov’ website, has requested ideas from people for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech.

<p>The correct way to check which Independence Day it is is to count 1947 as the first Independence Day, and hence 2025 is the 79th Independence Day, according to the government and historical records.</p>

Independence Day 2025: Is it India's 78th or 79th Independence Day? Here's how you can calculate

<p><strong>Srinagar:</strong> The Border Security Force (BSF) held a 79 km long cycle rally in Kashmir valley on Tuesday as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations. BSF Kashmir organised the 79 km cycle rally from Bandipora to Srinagar under the theme “Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat” to commemorate 79th Independence Day.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Around 79 cyclists, including local youth and BSF personnel, participated in the rally with an aim to strengthen and spread the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat”. The rally was kickstarted from the BSF Campus in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district and covered the route of Bandipora - Nadihal - Ajas - Manasbal - Sumbal - Shalateng - Hyderpora - Bakshi Stadium and finally culminated at Frontier HQ BSF, Kashmir, Humhama, Srinagar.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to the BSF, the event was aimed to identify the sports potential of the local youth, focus their energies towards a positive goal, and encourage them to join the armed forces and BSF, besides promoting tourism in the Kashmir valley.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lieutenant Governor of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Manoj Sinha was the Chief Guest at the function. He commended the efforts of the organisers and participants. He also highlighted the importance of such initiatives of engaging the youth in a positive direction and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The event concluded with patriotic fervour and a renewed commitment of all to serve the nation with commitment, dedication, and unity.</p>

The cycle rally was organised to identify the sports potential of the local youth, focus their energies towards a positive goal, and encourage them to join the armed forces and BSF, besides promoting tourism in the Kashmir valley.

Srinagar: The Border Security Force (BSF) held a 79 km long cycle rally in Kashmir valley on Tuesday as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations. BSF Kashmir organised the 79 km cycle rally from Bandipora to Srinagar under the theme “Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat” to commemorate 79th Independence Day. Around 79 cyclists, including local youth and BSF personnel, participated in the rally with an aim to strengthen and spread the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat”. The rally was kickstarted from the BSF Campus in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district and covered the route of Bandipora - Nadihal - Ajas - Manasbal - Sumbal - Shalateng - Hyderpora - Bakshi Stadium and finally culminated at Frontier HQ BSF, Kashmir, Humhama, Srinagar. According to the BSF, the event was aimed to identify the sports potential of the local youth, focus their energies towards a positive goal, and encourage them to join the armed forces and BSF, besides promoting tourism in the Kashmir valley. Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha was the Chief Guest at the function. He commended the efforts of the organisers and participants. He also highlighted the importance of such initiatives of engaging the youth in a positive direction and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The event concluded with patriotic fervour and a renewed commitment of all to serve the nation with commitment, dedication, and unity.

<p>The cycle rally was organised to identify the sports potential of the local youth, focus their energies towards a positive goal, and encourage them to join the armed forces and BSF, besides promoting tourism in the Kashmir valley.</p>

BSF organises 79 km cycle rally in Kashmir to commemorate 79th Independence Day

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Golden throws, giant leaps, and the games we will never forget: Celebrating India’s greatest sporting moments in post-independence era

On India’s 79th Independence Day, Manu Bhaker plays national anthem on violin

Is it India's 78th or 79th Independence Day? Here's how you can calculate

BSF organises 79 km cycle rally in Kashmir to commemorate 79th Independence Day