National Festivals are different from the others in that the state has formal celebrations. Popularly, they are treated more as occasions to get together. India ‘celebrates’ three of them: Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti. The others, like Children’s day, Teacher’s day and Mother’s day, etc are more on the scale of observances.

What separates national festivals from the others is the number of levels they happen at.

For one, the government does not merely declare holidays but becomes one of the participants. On Republic Day and Independence Day, there are formal events-including a march-past and flag-hoisting- in all the state capitals, district headquarters, corporations and municipalities, panchayats. Outside the government, and offices, educational institutions, co-operatives and other organizations doing their bit on corresponding scales. Official celebrations are held in New Delhi.

15th August is celebrated as the Independence Day of India. The date commemorates the day when India achieved freedom from the British rule in the year 1947. It has been a long journey for India 1947. After more than two hundred years of British rule, India finally won backs its freedom its freedom on 15th August, 1947.

On 26th of  January every year India celebrates its Republic Day. It is one of the national holidays of India and regarded as the most important day in the Indian history as it was on this day in 1950 the constitution of India came into force and became a truly sovereign state.

Gandhi Jayanti and Children’s day are more muted. Gandhi Jayanti on 2^nd Oct is officially significant but does not evoke the same response from the people as Independence Day and Republic Day. It is celebrated by conducting lectures, media campaigns and remembering the contribution and values of Mahatama Gandhi.

Children’s day is more or less confined to schools. So is Teacher’s Day, when many schools follow the practice of observing a role reversal: getting the students of the higher grades to take classes for lower grades while the teachers themselves sit among the students.

The birthdays of other national leaders are not much more than official observances. These celebrated by conducting lectures, media campaigns and remembering the contributions.