NEW DELHI: Google on Monday celebrated India's 75th Independence Day with a doodle of soaring kites on its search page.
Illustrated by Kerala-based guest artist Neethi, the doodle shows India celebrating the day with soaring kites symbolizing the country has achieved great heights.
It "depicts the culture around kites - from the craft of creating bright beautiful kites to the cheerful experience of a community coming together. The vast expanse of sky brightly speckled with soaring kites is a colourful symbol of the great heights we have achieved. The GIF animation adds dynamism and brings the doodle alive."
This day commemorates India's independence from colonial rule after two centuries of oppression and suppression at the hands of the British.
The celebration honours the sacrifices and tireless efforts of our courageous leaders and freedom fighters who gave their entire life for the sake of the nation and the countrymen.
Artist Neethi said that one of our fondest memories, the age-old tradition of kite-flying has been integral to the Indian Independence Day festivities.
Freedom fighters used kites to write anti-colonial slogans and flew them in the sky as a mark of protest.
"A Kites are also an outlet for artistic expression- many of them carry trendy motifs or even social messages. I have drawn kites depicting our national colours, a message of love and commemorating the 75 years of Indian independence. They fly as high as skyscrapers, birds and I'd like to believe the sun!" Neethi added.
The lengthy struggle for freedom resulted in the birth of the largest democracy in the world. Heroic freedom fighters, such as
Mahatma Gandhi, led the country's independence movement through civil disobedience and nonviolent protests.
The government of India has organised several events this year under the banner of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav,' with the theme 'Nation First, Always First.' The government also plans to hoist 200 million tricolours to commemorate the occasion.
One of our fondest memories, the age-old tradition of kite-flying has been integral to the Indian Independence Day festivities, the artist said.
Neethi on drawing inspiration for the doodle said, "Kites are also an outlet for artistic expression- many of them carry trendy motifs or even social messages. I have drawn kites depicting our national colours, a message of love and commemorating the 75 years of Indian independence. They fly as high as skyscrapers, and birds and I'd like to believe the sun!"