August 15 marks an annual holiday in India to celebrating the country's independence.
India became a sovereign nation at the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947, after spending nearly two centuries under the rule of the British.
To mark the anniversary, here are ten amazing world records currently held by the nation.
Largest democracy
India is known as the "world's largest democracy" and its current
Prime Minister (the country's 13th) is Dr. Manmohan Singh, who has
held the position since 22 May 2004; a member of the ruling
Congress Party, he is also the first Sikh to reach the post, and at
79, one of the oldest people today to head a government. With an
estimated population of 1.2 billion - the world's second largest
after China - the electorate alone was estimated at 714 million for
the 2009 national election - more than the combined electorates of
the USA and EU.
Most centuries scored in international
cricket
When he scored 114 against Bangladesh in an ODI on 16 March 2012,
the "Little Master" Sachin Tendulkar (India) became the first
player to score 100 international centuries.
Largest ruby
The largest Ruby weighs 21,955 g (48 lbs 6.43 oz) and measures 310
x 165 x 140 mm (12.20 x 6.49 x 5.51 in) and is owned by Rajiv
Golcha. The ruby has been named "The King Ruby" and is held in the
Prestige Gems & Jewels showroom in India.
Largest roti / chapati
The largest chapati weighed 63.99 kg (141 lb 1 oz) and was made by
the Shree Jalarm Mandir Jirnodhar Samitee organisation at the
Jalaram Temple, Jamnagar, on 15 January 2005.
Highest box office film gross for a Bollywood
film
3 Idiots (2009), starring R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Aamir
Khan, is the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time taking
more than 202,57,00,000 INR ($44.9 million; £29.9 million) to date,
seeing off competition from the 2010 films Dabangg, Golmaal 3 and
Raajneeti by a considerable margin.
Largest annual film output
India is the world's most prolific film-making nation, with
approximately 800 to 1,000 feature films being produced each year
by the 'Bollywood' film industry based in Mumbai. This is roughly
double the number of films produced by Hollywood each year. In
2009, a total of 1,288 films were produced in India, in 24
different languages. By contrast, Hollywood produced 606 feature
films during 2008 - an all-time record for the American film
industry.
Most expensive wedding
The wedding of Vanisha Mittal, daughter of billionaire Lakshmi
Mittal, to investment banker Amit Bhatia was the most expensive
wedding in the world. The six-day event, held in Versailles in
2004, included a re-enactment of the happy couple's courtship and
an engagement ceremony at the Palace of Versailles - the only
private function ever to have been held in the palace. Guests at
the wedding reception were entertained by a number of world famous
performers, including Shah Rukh Khan and Kylie Minogue. And the
bill picked up by the bride's father? A mere $55 million (then over
£28 million).
Longest moustache
The longest moustache measures 4.29 m (14 ft) and belongs to Ram
Singh Chauhan (India). It was measured on the set of Lo Show dei
Record in Rome, Italy, on 4 March 2010.
Highest rainfall annually
By average annual rainfall, the wettest place is Mawsynram,
Meghalaya, India, with 11,873 mm (467 in) of rain per annum. By
average annual rainfall, the wettest place is Mawsynram, Meghalaya,
India, with 11,873 mm (467 in) of rain per annum.
Largest gathering of people dressed as Mohandas
Gandhi
The largest gathering of people dressed as Mohandas Gandhi was 485
and was achieved by the children of T.R.A.C.K.S. Training Resource
& Care For Kids (India) in Kolkata, India, on 29 January
2012.
