Indian Independence Day
Unite. Empower. Celebrate. Marking International Youth Day.
The day after India’s 80th Independence Day, and in the week of International Youth Day, we bring the two together: the generation that won freedom, and the generation that inherits it. Live, free, and open to the world.
The livestream, on this page
Tap Notify Me on the player and YouTube will remind you when we go live.
Eighty years in the making
Independence Day on 15 August 2026, the count that includes 1947 itself
Government of India
years of freedom since the midnight of 15 August 1947
Government of India
the year India awoke to life and freedom at the stroke of midnight
Tryst with Destiny, 14 Aug 1947
International Youth Day, observed every year by the United Nations since 2000
United Nations
When the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.
Jawaharlal Nehru · 14 August 1947
Two generations, one afternoon
Somewhere this week, a grandparent will describe a midnight they remember, and a teenager will listen with the whole of their attention. That conversation is the event. India’s 80th Independence Day and International Youth Day fall in the same week, and we are putting them in the same room.
Expect stories of 1947 carried down through families, young changemakers on what freedom asks of them next, music and poetry from the UK, India and beyond, and the diaspora at 80, carrying India across borders. Everyone is welcome, wherever you are watching from.
One freedom, carried by every generation
The wheel keeps turning because every generation takes hold of it.
The Ashoka Chakra’s 24 spokes stand for 24 hours of the day: freedom is carried around the clock, and around the world.
What to expect from 2pm BST
Global Namaste
A warm welcome to viewers on every continent, and the lighting of the lamp that opens every Healing Our Earth afternoon.
Stories of 1947
Voices that carry the memory of independence, told with gratitude, from the families who lived it.
Inspire Youth, Build Tomorrow
Young changemakers on what freedom means in their own words, and what they intend to do with the inheritance.
Music and Poetry of Freedom
Song, verse and celebration from the UK, India and the wider diaspora.
The Diaspora at 80
How Indians on every continent carry India with them, from rooftop kites to community kitchens.
Together, a Brighter Future
Closing reflections on unity, and a look ahead at what we build next, together.
From the Red Fort to your rooftop
Independence Day is kites over old cities, flags on every balcony, and families on every continent celebrating the same midnight. This Sunday, the celebration has one more address: your screen.
How to be part of it
The line-up is being announced
Speakers, artists and young changemakers are being confirmed now. Check back here for the full running order, or tap Notify Me on YouTube and let the reminder do the work.
Presented by Healing Our Earth
This celebration is researched, produced and presented by Healing Our Earth, and offered free to every home it can reach.
Be there when the lamp is lit
Sunday 16 August, 2pm BST onwards. Free, global, and open to every view and every generation. Bring your family, bring your story, bring your afternoon chai.
A Healing Our Earth production · www.healingourearth.com
India Independence Day
Unite, Empower, Celebrate!
International Youth Day
Igniting the spirit of Freedom and Youthful Potential.
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