India, Pakistan Mark Their Independence

India and Pakistan, separated at a violent birth, celebrated half a century of independence with fireworks, flag ceremonies, marches and speeches by leaders who called upon each nation to do more to help its impoverished masses prosper.

Though created at the same moment, Pakistan observed independence day Thursday and India today, a sign of the continuing estrangement between two countries that share a common history but have distinctive cultures and languages. The 50th anniversary marks not only the nations’ emergence from colonial rule after a prolonged nonviolent campaign led by Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi but the explosion of communal violence that killed hundreds of thousands when British India was partitioned into Hindu and Muslim states.

Ceremonies in both nations were tinged with public disappointment that self-governance has not attacked social problems more forcefully and has imposed an onerous degree of official corruption.

The day also brought violent reminders of underlying tensions in each country: At a wreath-laying ceremony that surged out of control, Pakistani police fatally shot two spectators after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif delivered a speech at the tomb of Pakistan’s founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi; and separatist rebels in India’s northeastern state of Assam bombed a passenger train, killing at least seven people.

At a midnight session of Parliament, India played a recording of Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech 50 years ago in which he said independence fulfilled “a tryst with destiny.” He became India’s first prime minister and established a political dynasty that would see his daughter Indira Gandhi and grandson Rajiv Gandhi also serve as premier.

“There is one difference between then and now. The difference at that time: Everybody was very happy,” said Ranbir Singh Chaudhari, a member of the assembly who was present for Nehru’s speech. “Today . . . we are disappointed with our leaders.”

Mangat Ram, a laborer on a road project, echoed Chaudhari’s disillusionment: “Big people will celebrate. We are poor. We have to work hard. Where is the time to celebrate?”