Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

FREEDOM MOVEMENT

THE TRYST WITH DESTINY

The Midnight Session of the Constituent Assembly 14-15 August, 1947 “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, INDIA will awake to life and FREEDOM”, so said Jawaharlal Nehru in his memorable “Tryst with Destiny ” speech. In the early hours of Aug 15, the members of the constituent assembly took the pledge to dedicate themselves “To the service of India and her people to the end that this ancient land attain her rightful place in the world...” “On the appointed day” as Nehru put it - India rose again, “After long slumber and struggle, awake, vital, free and independ- ent.”

Jawaharlal Nehru delivering the Historic "Tryst with Destiny" speech - C. A.

Lord Mountbatten was invited to become the first Governor-General of Independent India. A new cabinet, with Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister, was sworn in at a colourful ceremony held in the Constituent Assembly. With this event began a new chapter in the history of India - The Chapter of Independent Nationhood.