“What does it truly mean to be free?” This question echoed through the walls of DPS R.K. Puram as India marked its 79th year of independence on 15th August 2025. The celebrations began with the unfurling of the national flag by the Principal, Mr Anil Kumar. As the tricolour soared high, a shower of fresh flower petals rained down and the school choir led the gathering in a heartfelt rendition of Jana Gana Mana, sung in unison by all present. The celebration continued as the cultural programme opened with a soul-stirring self-composed poem. This was followed by the choir’s performance of Vande Mataram, which filled the hall with patriotic fervour. Khooni Hastakshar, a powerful poem by Gopal Prasad Vyas, was recited where it spoke of the blood and sacrifice that shaped India’s freedom. Following, the morning’s energy was a patriotic dance performance.
The day’s meaning was felt deeply when the Principal’s Address resonated through not only the hall but also the hearts and minds of all present. He highlighted India’s unique place in the world as “the youngest nation with a median age of 30,” emphasizing how the future rests in the youth’s hands just as it did 79 years ago. As the celebration drew to a close, the hall echoed with chants of “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, and Vande Mataram,” a roar so commanding that it seemed to rise not from hundreds but from the heart of the nation itself. The programme ended on a warm, traditional note as students were handed laddoos, a sweet reminder of the unity and joy that Independence Day brings. And in that moment, the answer to “What does it truly mean to be free?” became clear, bringing to light that independence is more than just a date engraved on a calendar, but the freedom of thought, speech, and expression, values that must always be upheld with responsibility.