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.

Analyse

The quoted passage matches verbatim the opening lines of Nehru’s iconic speech to the Indian Constituent Assembly, marking India’s independence from British rule. The speech was broadcast live and is preserved in parliamentary archives, government publications, and credible historical sources. No discrepancies or variations in this specific excerpt have been found in authoritative records. The phrasing and context align perfectly with Nehru’s oratory style and the historical moment.

Achtergrond

The 'Tryst with Destiny' speech was delivered by Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, on the eve of independence (August 14–15, 1947). It symbolized the culmination of India’s nonviolent struggle for freedom and set the tone for the nation’s democratic future. The speech is one of the most cited in Indian history, often reproduced in textbooks, official documents, and media commemorations of independence.

Samenvatting verdict

Jawaharlal Nehru did deliver these exact words in his 'Tryst with Destiny' speech on August 14, 1947, as widely documented in historical records and official transcripts.

Geraadpleegde bronnen