Google launches Independence Day celebrations

To mark 75 years of India’s Independence, Google today announced the launch of a series of special initiatives across its products and services that will offer content and experiences created especially for the occasion to hundreds of millions of Indians through the anniversary year. The centerpiece of its celebrations is a new online collection titled ‘India Ki Udaan’ available on Google Arts & Culture. The collection pays tribute to India’s rich cultural history and includes iconic moments from the last 75 years for people to relive, experience, and be inspired by.  As part of the country-wide celebrations, Google also announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture focused on reaching informative online content that showcases the contributions of Indians and the evolution of India since 1947 to support the Government’s year-long ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ program. Google also announced that its popular Doodle4Google contest for 2022 themed on ‘In the next 25 years, my India will…’ is now open for entries to students of Grade 1-10. 

Merging technologies and India’s rich cultural heritage, the new Google Arts & Culture collection, ‘India Ki Udaan’, (literally translated as “India takes flight”), is themed on the unwavering and undying spirit of India over these past 75 years. Published in English and Hindi, it allows anyone to explore more than 120 illustrations and 21 stories created by 10 talented artists, alongside exhibitions from various institutions across India — including the Ministry of Tourism, Museum of Art & Photography, Heritage Directorate of the Indian Railways, the Indian Academy of Sciences and Dastkari Haat Samiti. This initiative offers a unique view of India's remarkable moments and lets people discover some of the most memorable moments in India's modern history, its iconic personalities, its proudest scientific and sporting achievements, and how women in India continue to inspire the world.  This commemorative collection will be expanded with a unique blend of archives and artistry for people in India and across the globe.

Launching the celebrations, Sanjay Gupta, VP & Country Head, Google India, said, “India’s journey of the last 75 years is truly inspirational, made up of momentous events and memorable personalities across all aspects of nation-building. In our journey of 15 plus years, we have had the privilege of solving for India’s unique needs, developing innovations for millions of people here but also those all around the world. On this historic occasion, we’re delighted to join the Independence Day celebrations through specially curated online experiences and to deepen our partnership with the Ministry of Culture to share India’s achievements and further inspire its proud peoples. As we do so, we remain deeply committed to partner India in its remarkable embrace of digital technology and contribute in achieving its goal of transformation into a world-leading digital economy.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region of India, said, “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Having made tremendous progress on empowering citizens through digital, I am hopeful that the partnership with Google shall strengthen the Ministry’s goal of preserving, promoting and disseminating all forms of Indian art and culture. I am pleased to note that Google is launching a broad-based effort to leverage its products and services and pay tribute to the occasion. This is an important expansion of our collaborations with Google Arts & Culture in digitizing India’s rich history and heritage.”

Unveiling the India ki Udaan collection, Amit Sood, Director-Google Arts & Culture. said, “We’re thrilled to join the celebration with a brand new collection called ‘India Ki Udaan’. Our Google Arts & Culture journey began in India ten years ago. Over the past decade, our mission of making world culture more accessible to everyone through technology has evolved. And thanks to more than 100 partners in India, we bring the cultural treasures, stories, and artists from India to the global audience. To our partners, a huge thank you. And by partners we mean everyone: the curator spending time to create a stunning online exhibition, the art handlers who help digitize thousands of spaces and archives, the preservation expert sharing fragile treasures, the directors who believe in participating in an online platform, and everyone behind the scenes. Together with our partners, we look forward to enriching our India ki Udan collections by bringing to it the unique blend of archives and artistry for people in India and across the globe.” 

In its 10th year in India, Google Arts & Culture has showcased India’s rich culture in many ways. Working with over 100 partners in India, it has brought India’s cultural heritage to people all around the world – from spotlighting the beauty and heritage of Indian crafts from all states of India, showcasing miniature paintings in a magical new way, to immersive tours of World Heritage Sites like the Taj Mahal and Hampi, close-ups of Raja Varma’s lavish paintings, unforgettable journeys by Indian Railways, and detailed stories about pioneering Indian women.  

Offering a unique opportunity to school going children to showcase their vision for India in the future, the winner of this year’s Doodle4Google will see their artwork on the Google homepage in India on November 14th, and win a INR 500,000 college scholarship, a INR 200,000 technology package for their school/non-profit organization, a recognition of achievement, Google hardware, and fun Google collectibles. 4 Group winners and 15 finalists will also win exciting prizes. For contest information, visit http://doodles.google.co.in/d4g.