Jawaharlal Nehru delivered a speech “Tryst with Destiny” to the Indian Constituent Assembly on the eve of India’s Independence at midnight on 14 August 1947. He was sworn in as the 1st prime minister of independent India on 15th August 1947.
This speech is considered to be one of the greatest speeches of all times. It captures the mood of the nation at the triumph of the 100-year non-violent Indian freedom struggle.
“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”
Looking back at it today, it reminds us of the pledge to combine our energies to build a strong nation and cherish our Indian Identity.
Chintan Manthan 