60 Years Celebration

The 60th year of India's Independence was a year characterized by a growing sense of maturity. Television channels were not giddy with joy but rather sought to provide a glimpse of the days gone by and the days up ahead. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speech was also marked by an emphasis on looking ahead to make the entire population a part of the current economic boom.

He praised the work of those who fought for India's freedom but said the country would only be truly independent once it had eliminated poverty. A military band fired guns and played the national anthem as the Indian flag was raised at the historic Red Fort in the centre of the capital. Hundreds of balloons in the colours of the Indian flag were released into the air. Amid tight security, Mr Singh said: "I assure you that for each one of you, and for our country, the best is yet to come."

As celebrations got under way across India, a huge security operation swung into action to thwart possible militant attacks. Aircraft and tens of thousands of security forces had been deployed to fend off what the government says are threats by al-Qaeda and insurgents in several states. In Delhi, around 70,000 policemen and paramilitary troops were posted at government buildings, diplomatic enclaves and main intersections. Four explosions rocked the north-eastern state of Assam hours before the celebrations began. No-one was killed or injured in the blasts. The police blamed the explosions on the separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) rebels, who have called for a boycott of the celebrations.

The festivities were also muted in many areas of northern India where millions have been affected by some of the worst flooding in 30 years. To herald the celebrations in both countries, Pakistan allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home on Monday, with India reciprocating by handing over 72 Pakistani prisoners on Tuesday.