Festival celebrates spirit of Freedom

Celebrating the spirit of freedom, the 5th edition of 'Jash-e-azadi' brought together performances from India and South Korea, the two nations that share their Independence Day.
The cultures of both the countries were showcased in a series of performances by both Indian and south Korean artistes, in the form of music, dance and martial arts.
"I am so happy that we can celebrate Independence Day with India. Korean freedom fighters were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi during Korea's struggles for freedom.
"Through this kind of cooperative celebration we are looking to strengthen the relationship between India and Korea and pave the way for an everlasting friendship for the coming generation," Lee Hye Kwang, Charge d' affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, said.

Organised by Nehru Bal Sangh, the event aimed at invoking and instilling a sense of pride and make the youth understand the factual meaning of independence and realize its importance.
The festival was an effort to bring together the youth of the country and to draw them into building a better India, and not consider the festival as a mere holiday or vacation, organisers said.

"We truly believe and live with the motto that India's independence is the mother of all festivals and national celebration which each and every Indian should be a part of.
"It is much more than just a day off and this is also a reminder with a message to the generation of today which is forgetting the core of freedom. 'Jashn-e Azadi' is a tribute to the countless sacrifices made by our countrymen for Independence and a showcase of our journey of nation building," Ashok Sahota, president of Nehru Bal Sangh, said.

One of the highlights of the evening included 'Sadhya', a unit of performing arts, directed and choreographed by Santosh Nair.
The performance narrated the journey of India's independence from the period of golden age, to the British rule, to the liberating independence through the medium of dance and music.