Chapter 4: Tryst with Destiny

The pledge is to dedicate ourselves to the service of India and her people — to end poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality, and to build a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation. (ଭାରତ ଓ ଏହାର ଜନତାର ସେବାରେ ନିଜକୁ ସମର୍ପଣ କରିବାର ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା।)

In the Constituent Assembly, at the stroke of midnight, 14–15 August 1947, when India became free.

It means the service of the millions who suffer — ending poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity, and wiping every tear from every eye.

Mahatma Gandhi. Nehru pays homage to him as the Father of the Nation who held aloft the torch of freedom and lit up the darkness of bondage.

The people of Pakistan, separated by Partition. Nehru says they are still 'of us' and we shall share their fortunes.

Freedom brings the responsibility of incessant hard work to end suffering, build institutions ensuring justice, treat all religions equally, and reject communalism and narrow-mindedness.

It ends with "Jai Hind!" — expressing pride, patriotism and dedication to the motherland.

A promise/appointment made with fate — India's long pledge to become free.

To 'wipe every tear from every eye' — to end all suffering.

Because all nations are closely knit; no country can live apart — peace, freedom and prosperity are shared.

Mahatma Gandhi, the architect of freedom / Father of the Nation.

A prosperous, democratic and progressive nation ensuring justice to every man and woman.

Freedom brings the duty of hard, incessant work to end poverty, ignorance and disease; to build institutions of justice; to treat all religions and citizens equally; and to cooperate with the world for peace and democracy — rejecting communalism.

He calls Gandhi the architect and Father of the Nation who lit the torch of freedom, and vows never to let it go out. He also remembers the unknown volunteers and soldiers who served India even unto death.

It was delivered at the exact moment India became independent (midnight 14-15 Aug 1947), marking the end of colonial rule and the birth of a free, democratic nation — a turning point in history.

ଗମ୍ଭୀର।

freedom lighting up the darkness of bondage/slavery.