A Tryst with Destiny

Jawaharlal Nehru

Summary A Tryst with Destiny

Jawaharlal Nehru delivered A Tryst with Destiny on August 14, 1947, on the eve of India’s
independence. In this historic speech, he reflects on India’s long struggle for freedom and its
future as an independent nation. The speech celebrates India's glorious past and
commemorates India’s struggle for independence from the British. The essence of the speech
is triumph over colonialism and the awaiting future. It took place at midnight on 14th August
1947. In his speech, the former Prime Minister talks about India's unravelling journey. This
speech shows the spirit of the triumph of India over British colonialism after 200 years. Pt.
Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation in his speech filled with pride and patriotism.

Nehru begins by acknowledging that the moment of independence is a significant milestone

in India’s history. He emphasises that India has made a promise—a "tryst with destiny"—to
build a just, prosperous, and inclusive nation. He pays tribute to the sacrifices of freedom
fighters and reminds the people that independence is not the end but the beginning of a new
journey.

This speech was delivered to independent India after 200 years of British colonial rule. It was
a proud moment for the nation as the people of our country had to go through a lot of struggle
to achieve this. Gandhi’s fight against the British with non-violence and satyagraha gave
momentum to the movement and ensured freedom.

Pt. Nehru stresses the importance of unity, responsibility, and dedication to removing
poverty, ignorance, and inequality. Nehru envisions an India that serves its people and
contributes to world peace. He also highlights that India cannot remain divided in "isolated
fragments" but must work together for progress. Pt Nehru’s vision for India encompasses
freedom from ignorance, poverty, disease and equal opportunity for all. Nehru has a dream of
a democratic and progressive India that is accepted by the other nations of the world. The
speech concludes with a call to duty, urging citizens to uphold democracy, work hard, and
fulfil the dreams of those who fought for freedom.

Nehru, in his speech, reminds the nation of the hardships India had to go through to attain
freedom. He remembers the great freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom
of India. He encourages his fellow men of the country to rebuild to restore their honour and
prosperity.
Nehru's main message is addressing ignorance, poverty and health of the citizens of the
country. Nehru wanted to bring back the old glory India had, and he wanted the help of the
citizens to rebuild the nation. Nehru calls Mahatma Gandhi the Father of our Nation. He
describes him as the Greatest Man of their Generation and the Architect of our freedom.
Nehru encourages all people to walk in the path envisioned by Gandhiji. Wipe out the tears of
every man, and ensure communal harmony amongst all communities.
Nehru dreams of a land where there are no barriers of caste, religion. He talks about equal
opportunity for all in the country. He also addresses the people in Pakistan as his brothers
and sisters. He concludes his speech by introducing the New India to the world and
welcoming everyone with open hands. He said he would work with utmost sincerity and
dedication for the betterment of the country.
"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. India will awake to
life and freedom at the stroke of the midnight hour when the world sleeps."
Nehru suggests that though the road ahead is uphill and difficult, we must be reminded that
with freedom and Power comes responsibility. This responsibility is landed upon the
Constitution that we built from scratch, top to bottom, which shall now take care of our
country from any possible obstacles on our path to glory. Before we were given this freedom,
we were forced to move through a phase of pain and sorrow, something we can never
forget. Nehru encourages people to work hard and take this country to its most glorious,
giving justice to the many people sacrificed for our independence.
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru urges us to work hard not just for our people but for all the world. The
world has become one large community and quite impossible to live in isolation, or to
imagine life while living apart on their own. Nehru advocates internationalism in the lines
“Peace is said to be indivisible, so is freedom, so is prosperity now, and a disaster in this one
world that can no longer be split into isolated fragments."
He requests that every citizen not indulge in petty issues and destructive criticism. This is to
be ensured so that we can fulfill our dream of building our own country like a huge
mansion. The destined day has arrived. India stands, free, and independent. Nehru warns the
nation that this is not the time to slumber, but to be awake to strive incessantly for the nation.
Even though our past clings to us, we should redeem the pledge.
This is the turning point, and now it's time for us to rewrite history, a history that we shall
build and live in, a history something others will write and ponder upon.
A new star of freedom from the east has risen. India now shall turn into a country that others
would dream of being. Nehru assures other countries of the world that India, now a new
nation, will uphold peace, democracy and cooperation.
Pandit Ji proceeds to honour the architect of our freedom on this day, the Father of our
Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He achieved his goals through violence, directing us towards the
right path to victory. Nehru asserts that they have been unworthy followers of him and have
strayed away from his message and approach. Nehru also remembers the unknown volunteers
and soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice of laying their lives for the country. He also
thinks of our brothers and sisters who, for unknown reasons, were not part of the celebrations
 The future generations of the country will remember Gandhi as the great son of India, who
led the freedom struggle with faith, courage and humility. Nehru urges the people of the
country not to be communal, to divide people based on religion, not to be narrow-minded but
to be broad-minded in both thought and action. Pt Nehru states that a country can only
progress when there is no communalism. Finally, Nehru refers to India as the ancient and the
ever-new and ends by paying a respectful homage to her.

Question and Answers

1. What was the Tryst that India made with destiny?

Pandit Nehru says that India has made a tryst with destiny to bring freedom to India, bringing
the British rule to an end. India has also made a tryst to eradicate poverty, remove ignorance,
disease and provide social justice and equal opportunity for all.

2. What does Nehru mean when he says the world is not in isolated fragments?
Pandit Nehru sees the world as one large community, and envisions India’s contribution to
the world.

3. What, according to Pt. Nehru does freedom and power bring?

Pt. Nehru emphasises that freedom and power bring responsibility.

4. ‘At the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom’
Explain these lines.
India got its freedom on Aug 15. Pt Nehru made this speech in the constituent assembly on
the eve of Independence, the 14th evening. At midnight when India became a free nation,
when people were asleep, India was embracing her freedom. India became free at the stroke
of 12am on the 15th, hence Pt Nehru says these lines.

5. Who is the Architect of our freedom?

Gandhi, the father of our nation, is the Architect of our freedom.

6. What does Pt. Nehru means when he says ‘the future is not of ease but of incessant
striving’?
India got its Independence from the British after many years of struggle and resistance.
Nehru, in his speech, reminds the nation of all the struggles. He stresses that finally we are a
free country, a new star ready to step into the new. But Pt Nehru also reminds the people of
the challenges ahead in governing such a huge country. Nehru says that the future of
governing the country is not an easy task; it is full of challenges and struggles which can be
overcome only through incessant striving. Pt Nehru asks the countrymen, especially the
representatives of the people in the constituent assembly to put in constant efforts to uplift the
people of the country. He reminds them of the challenges that are faced by the people,
ignorance, poverty and discrimination and encourages every citizen to contribute to making
India a progressive nation.

7. What does Pt Nehru say about Communalism and narrow-mindedness?

Pt. Nehru is against communalism. He rejects a society divided by caste and religion. Nehru
raises his voice for the poor, weak and the discriminated.
8. Who are the different people that Nehru remembers on the day of freedom?

On the day of Indian Independence Pt. Nehru remembers, the father of the nation, the
architect of the freedom movement, whose faith, strength, courage and humility encouraged
millions of people not only in India but also the world to raise their voice for freedom. Nehru
also remembers the countless men and women who gave their life for the country. He also
remembers the fearless and brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the country by
laying down their lives. Pt. Nehru also talks of brothers and sisters who due to some
misunderstandings and differences were not part of the celebrations.

9. ‘We should redeem our pledge’ Elaborate on the lines by Nehru.

In his speech Tryst with Destiny, delivered on the eve of India's independence on August 14,
1947, Jawaharlal Nehru spoke about fulfilling the promises and responsibilities that Indian
leaders and the people had taken upon themselves during the struggle for freedom.

Meaning of "We should redeem our pledge"

Nehru refers to the pledge that Indians had made to fight for freedom, justice, and the
betterment of the nation. The "pledge" was not just about achieving independence but also
about ensuring that India would become a prosperous, democratic, and inclusive nation. By
saying, "We should redeem our pledge," Nehru emphasizes that the journey does not end
with political freedom; rather, the real work of nation-building must now begin.

The Long Struggle for Freedom

Nehru acknowledges that India's independence was achieved after a long and difficult
struggle against British rule. Many had sacrificed their lives, and the leaders had pledged to
serve the nation selflessly.

Responsibility of the Citizens

Independence is not just about freedom from colonial rule; it also brings responsibilities.
Nehru urges the people to work towards eliminating poverty, ignorance, and inequality.
The pledge includes upholding democracy, ensuring justice, and improving the lives of all
Indians.

Vision for the Future

He envisions India as a nation that stands for peace, cooperation, and progress.
The pledge also means striving for social and economic development so that freedom has real
meaning for all citizens.
Nehru's words serve as a reminder that independence is just the beginning. The real challenge
lies in fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people by creating a strong, self-reliant, and
just society. Redeeming the pledge means actively working towards these goals with
dedication and integrity.
10. Why should communalism be discouraged?
(add summary)

11. What are the problems that surround the people of India?
(add summary)
11. Nehru focuses on unity, communal harmony, social justice is the path to a progressive
nation explain.
(add summary)

12. Who are the brothers and sisters Pt Nehru is speaking about?

Pt Nehru refers to the people of Pakistan who were separated from India and who formed a
nation of their own. He mentions that though they have differences and they were absent
from the celebration of Indian freedom, still India and its people wish them well and be a part
of their fortunes and misfortunes.

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