As India celebrates its 72nd Independence Day, the country is soaked in patriotic fervour. Despite all the diversity, more than a billion people unite on this special day to remember the heroes of the freedom struggle and celebrate the gift of their sacrifices.
Sporting heroes, who have had the privilege of representing the nation at the international level, took to social media on Wednesday to post some heartfelt and inspiring messages for their fans.
IBTimes, India has compiled a list of messages from athletes on Independence Day 2018. Check them out below.
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who, more often than not single-handedly helped us bring out the patriots in us, took to social media to pay his tributes to the freedom fighters and urged the public not take "freedom for granted".
The World Cup-winning legend wrote: "Everything in life is hard-earned. Just like our independence. Among countless other things, there would have been no 'Team India' if not for the sacrifice of our brave freedom fighters. Let us not take that freedom for granted."
Cricket star Suresh Raina came up with a thought-provoking message as he urged the citizens of the country to pay their debt to the heroes of freedom struggle by being humane and working hard every day.
"We are free, we are independent, It's the sacrifices of our hero's which made us ascendant. Those sacrifices are not to forget, not to abet, I urge each Indian to pay their debt with humanity, hard work & sweat," the left-handed batsman wrote.
Everything in life is hard-earned. Just like our independence. Among countless other things, there would have been no 'Team India' if not for the sacrifice of our brave freedom fighters. Let us not take that freedom for granted. #HappyIndependenceDay ?????? pic.twitter.com/RYrveJ9P7y
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 15, 2018
It took a great team to give India it's biggest win. Let's always look to build on it. Have a #HappyIndependenceDay! ?? pic.twitter.com/0ZsWhuoyLy
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) August 15, 2018
Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!??
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 15, 2018
I bow down to all those who
laid down their lives so that we can celebrate this day.
Happy #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/nvG8vcVJdQ— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 15, 2018
We may need to remind ourselves to All the Freedom Fighters who Helped us gain Independence..& The Brave Jawaans who Help us Keep Our Independence Alive & in tact..GodBless Them..!! pic.twitter.com/tYdTodd87N
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) August 14, 2018
Happy Independence Day to everyone ???? #HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/ehpKBCeLE0
— Bhuvneshwar Kumar (@BhuviOfficial) August 15, 2018
Wishing every Indian across the globe, a very #HappyIndependenceDay! pic.twitter.com/E6gz570mJF
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) August 15, 2018
We are free, we are independent,
It's the sacrifices of our hero's which made us ascendant.Those sacrfices are not to forget, not to abet,
I urge each Indian to pay their debt with humanity, hard work & sweat.Salute to my immortal India ??????
#HappyIndependenceDay— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) August 15, 2018
कुछ नशा तिरंगे की आन का है,
कुछ नशा मातृभूमि की शान का है,
हम लहरायेंगे हर जगह ये तिरंगा,
नशा ये हिन्दुस्तां के सम्मान का है।
स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं !#IndependenceDayIndia #HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/oFTAHMsYsX— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 15, 2018
आप सभी को #स्वतंत्रतादिवस की बधाई! Gratitude to all those who made this day possible ?? #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/G5foLIudy8
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 15, 2018
Asian Games contingent celebrates Independence Day in Indonesia
Meanwhile, several Indian athletes from the Asian Games contingent took to Twitter to join the celebrations. Some of them, including hockey captain PR Sreejesh, his teammates, and badminton ace Saina Nehwal, posted their messages from Indonesia, which will host the continental multi-sport event on August 18.
India have sent a 572-strong contingent for the 18th edition of the Asian Games, which will be held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.
The Asian giants finished eighth in 2014 edition of the Games with 11 gold, 9 silver and 37 bronze medals. They will be hoping to better the tally in Indonesia and the chances of doing so are bright, given the country's impressive showing at Commonwealth Games and the contenders' recent form.
Thousands laid down their lives to get us an independent India, now it is upon us to keep it at its best ??
— Manika Batra (@manikabatra_TT) August 15, 2018
I am on to give my best in what I do ? ...and I request you all to do your part.#Happy72ndIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/CdZogKsmq6
Happy Independence Day !!! ????????...sending you all Independence Day wishes from Jakarta #asiangames #team #india #hockey @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/lFNJnf4aVx
— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) August 15, 2018
Our feedom and independence came with struggle, with toil and hard work we made our country. We are our country and our country is us. Happy Independence day to all!!
— Heena SIDHU (@HeenaSidhu10) August 15, 2018
???????????? pic.twitter.com/8GzpJX7CBS
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) August 15, 2018
Wish you all happy independence day ?? #IndependanceDay pic.twitter.com/OU4s7YD4WF
— sathish sivalingam weightlifter (@imsathisholy) August 15, 2018
Today we celebrate the bravery of our forefathers and their gift of freedom..Happy Independence day.. Jai Hind?? pic.twitter.com/RtKJDdNLgY
— Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) August 15, 2018
दे सलामी इस तिरंगे को
— Bajrang Punia (@BajrangPunia) August 15, 2018
जिस से तेरी शान हैं,
सर हमेशा ऊँचा रखना इसका
जब तक दिल में जान हैं..!! जय हिन्द ?? pic.twitter.com/uxsE6y6Xla
A very happy independence day ?? to everyone !!
— Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (@sathiyantt) August 15, 2018
Jai Hind.#IndependanceDay2018 #Jaihind #ProudIndian #Tricolor pic.twitter.com/DrWDN7o2C1