'A Tryst with Destiny' Summary (English)
"A Tryst with Destiny" is the historic speech delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru to the Constituent Assembly on the eve of India's Independence, at the stroke of midnight on 14-15 August 1947. In this powerful address, Nehru speaks of India awakening to life and freedom after long years of struggle and suppression. He describes independence as a rare moment in history when a nation steps from the old into the new. Nehru reminds the gathering that freedom brings with it great responsibility, particularly to serve the millions who suffer from poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality. He emphasises that India's journey does not end with independence but is just the beginning of greater challenges ahead. The speech calls for unity, hard work, and dedication to build a noble nation where all Indians can live with dignity. Nehru also connects India's future to the rest of the world, stating that no nation can live in isolation as peace, freedom, and prosperity are indivisible. He appeals to all Indians to join in this great adventure with faith and confidence, leaving behind petty criticism and blame, to build a free and prosperous India.
സംഗ്രഹം (Malayalam)
"എ ട്രിസ്റ്റ് വിത്ത് ഡെസ്റ്റിനി" 1947 ആഗസ്റ്റ് 14-15 അർദ്ധരാത്രിയിൽ ഇന്ത്യൻ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തിന്റെ തലേദിവസം ജവഹർലാൽ നെഹ്റു ഭരണഘടനാ അസംബ്ലിയിൽ നടത്തിയ ചരിത്രപ്രസിദ്ധമായ പ്രസംഗമാണ്. നീണ്ട പോരാട്ടങ്ങൾക്കും അടിച്ചമർത്തലുകൾക്കും ശേഷം ഇന്ത്യ ജീവിതത്തിലേക്കും സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തിലേക്കും ഉണരുന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് നെഹ്റു സംസാരിക്കുന്നു. ഒരു രാഷ്ട്രം പഴയതിൽ നിന്ന് പുതിയതിലേക്ക് കടക്കുന്ന ചരിത്രത്തിലെ അപൂർവ്വമായ നിമിഷമായി അദ്ദേഹം സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തെ വിശേഷിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യം വലിയ ഉത്തരവാദിത്തം കൊണ്ടുവരുന്നുവെന്നും പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് ദാരിദ്ര്യം, അജ്ഞത, രോഗം, അസമത്വം എന്നിവയാൽ കഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്ന ദശലക്ഷക്കണക്കിന് ആളുകളെ സേവിക്കാനുള്ള ഉത്തരവാദിത്തമുണ്ടെന്ന് നെഹ്റു ഓർമ്മിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തോടെ ഇന്ത്യയുടെ യാത്ര അവസാനിക്കുന്നില്ല, മറിച്ച് വലിയ വെല്ലുവിളികളുടെ തുടക്കം മാത്രമാണെന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം ഊന്നിപ്പറയുന്നു. എല്ലാ ഭാരതീയർക്കും മാന്യതയോടെ ജീവിക്കാൻ കഴിയുന്ന ഉന്നതമായ ഒരു രാഷ്ട്രം കെട്ടിപ്പടുക്കാൻ ഐക്യവും കഠിനാധ്വാനവും സമർപ്പണവും ആവശ്യപ്പെടുന്ന പ്രസംഗം. സമാധാനവും സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യവും സമൃദ്ധിയും അവിഭാജ്യമാണെന്ന് പറഞ്ഞ് ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഭാവി ലോകത്തിന്റെ ബാക്കി ഭാഗവുമായി നെഹ്റു ബന്ധിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. നിസ്സാരമായ വിമർശനങ്ങളും കുറ്റപ്പെടുത്തലുകളും ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് സ്വതന്ത്രവും സമൃദ്ധവുമായ ഇന്ത്യ കെട്ടിപ്പടുക്കാൻ എല്ലാ ഇന്ത്യക്കാരോടും വിശ്വാസത്തോടും ആത്മവിശ്വാസത്തോടും കൂടി ഈ മഹത്തായ സാഹസികതയിൽ ചേരാൻ അദ്ദേഹം അഭ്യർത്ഥിക്കുന്നു.
About the Author - Jawaharlal Nehru
- Jawaharlal Nehru was born in 1889 in Allahabad, now called Prayagraj. His father was Motilal Nehru and his mother was Swarup Rani Thussu.
- Nehru was a great leader who played an important role in India's freedom struggle.
- When India became independent on 15 August 1947, he became our first Prime Minister.
- Nehru loved writing and wrote many books in English.
- His famous books are "Glimpses of World History" in 1934, "An Autobiography" in 1936, and "The Discovery of India" in 1946.
- Nehru worked hard to build a free and modern India. He is remembered as a great leader who believed in democracy and peace.
While We Read (2 Mark Questions and Answers)
Question 1: What is the significance of the stroke of the midnight hour?
Answer: The stroke of midnight hour marks the historic moment when India gained independence from British rule. It symbolises the awakening of India to life and freedom after years of colonial suppression.
Question 2: What, according to you, are the obstacles that challenge the unity of the nation?
Answer: The obstacles that challenge national unity include poverty, ignorance, disease, inequality of opportunity, and differences based on religion, caste, language, and region. Petty criticism and blaming others also threaten unity.
Question 3: What kind of future does Nehru hope for?
Answer: Nehru hopes for a future of continuous hard work and progress where poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality are eliminated. He envisions a noble India where all citizens can live with dignity and opportunity.
Question 4: What does Nehru mean when he says "Freedom and power bring responsibility"?
Answer: Nehru means that independence is not just about celebrating freedom but also about accepting the duty to serve the nation and its people, particularly those who suffer from poverty and inequality.
Question 5: What does Nehru say about the past struggles of the nation?
Answer: Nehru acknowledges that India has endured all the pains of labour before gaining freedom and that hearts are heavy with sorrowful memories. However, he emphasises that the past is over and the future beckons.
Question 6: Why does Nehru emphasise the need for unity?
Answer: Nehru emphasises unity because building a free and prosperous nation requires collective effort. He believes that petty criticism and blame will hinder progress, and only united action can fulfil the dreams for India.
Question 7: How does Nehru connect India's future to that of the rest of the world?
Answer: Nehru states that all nations are closely knit together and no nation can live in isolation. He believes that peace, freedom, prosperity, and disaster are indivisible in this interconnected world.
Let's Rewind (4 Mark Questions and Answers)
Question 1: What does Nehru mean by "the noble mansion of free India"? How does this image reflect his vision for the future of India?
Answer: The phrase "noble mansion of free India" is a powerful metaphor that Nehru uses to describe his vision for independent India. A mansion is a large, dignified, and beautiful building where people live comfortably and with honour. By using this image, Nehru envisions India as a great nation built on strong foundations of democracy, equality, and justice where all Indians, regardless of their caste, creed, religion, or economic status, can live with dignity and opportunity. The word "noble" suggests that this nation will be built on high moral principles and values. The mansion has many rooms, symbolising that there is space for all of India's diverse children to dwell together in harmony. This metaphor reflects Nehru's inclusive vision where unity in diversity is celebrated and where every citizen has equal rights and opportunities. It represents his dream of an India free from poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality, where the fruits of freedom are shared by all and where people work together with dedication to build a prosperous and progressive nation.
Question 2: Jawaharlal Nehru exhorts us to work hard to fulfil our dreams. What are your dreams for our country and for the world?
Answer: For our country, I dream of an India where every child has access to quality education and healthcare regardless of their economic background. I hope for a nation where poverty is completely eradicated and where every citizen has employment opportunities to live a dignified life. My dream includes an India where women are safe and empowered, where people of all religions, castes, and communities live together in harmony and mutual respect. I envision a clean and green India where we protect our environment and natural resources for future generations. I want our country to be a leader in science, technology, and innovation while preserving our rich cultural heritage. For the world, I dream of global peace where nations resolve conflicts through dialogue rather than war. I hope for a world where resources are shared equitably and where developed nations help developing countries to progress. My vision includes a world united in fighting climate change, poverty, and disease, where international cooperation leads to prosperity for all humanity.
Question 3: Why does Nehru describe independence as a rare moment in history?
Answer: Nehru describes independence as a rare moment in history because such transformative events occur very infrequently in the life of a nation. Independence represents a complete break from the past and the beginning of a new era. It is a moment when an entire nation steps out from colonial rule into self-governance, when the soul of a nation that has been long suppressed finally finds expression. This is not merely a change in government but a fundamental transformation in the destiny of millions of people. Throughout history, only a handful of nations have experienced such momentous occasions when they gained freedom after centuries of foreign domination. For India, this moment was particularly significant because it came after nearly two hundred years of British colonial rule and after countless sacrifices made by freedom fighters. The rarity of this moment also lies in the responsibility it brings, as the choices made at this juncture would shape the future of the nation for generations to come. Nehru wanted Indians to understand the gravity and uniqueness of this historic opportunity.
Question 4: What responsibilities does Nehru outline for the people and the government of independent India?
Answer: Nehru outlines several important responsibilities for both the people and the government of independent India. First and foremost is the responsibility to serve the millions who suffer from poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality of opportunity. The government must work tirelessly to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and ensure that the benefits of freedom reach everyone. He emphasises the responsibility of ending poverty and wiping away tears from every eye, acknowledging that this is an enormous task that will require continuous effort. The Constituent Assembly, representing the sovereign people of India, has the responsibility to fulfil the pledges made during the freedom struggle. Nehru also highlights the responsibility of hard work and incessant striving to give reality to dreams, not just for India but for the world. There is a responsibility to maintain unity and avoid petty criticism and blame, instead focusing on constructive nation-building. Additionally, he emphasises the responsibility to participate in this great adventure with faith and confidence, working together to build the noble mansion of free India where all citizens can live with dignity and equal opportunity.
Additional Practice Questions
Question 5: How does Nehru use the metaphor of awakening in his speech?
Answer: Nehru uses the powerful metaphor of awakening to describe India's transition to independence. He says that at the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. This metaphor suggests that colonial rule was like a long sleep or period of suppression during which India's true spirit was dormant. Independence represents the moment of awakening when the nation comes alive and its people can finally express themselves freely. The contrast between the sleeping world and awakening India emphasises the uniqueness and significance of this moment. It also suggests renewal, fresh beginnings, and the start of an active, vibrant life after a period of passive subjugation. The metaphor of the soul of a nation finding utterance further reinforces this idea of awakening from silence to speech, from suppression to expression.
Question 6: What does Nehru mean when he says that India's dreams are not just for herself but for the world?
Answer: When Nehru says that India's dreams are for the world, he expresses his belief in international solidarity and interconnectedness. He recognises that in the modern world, nations cannot exist in isolation and that the progress or problems of one nation affect others. India's dreams of peace, prosperity, and freedom are universal aspirations that benefit all humanity. Nehru believed that India, having suffered under colonialism, had a special responsibility to support other nations struggling for freedom and development. He envisioned India playing a positive role in world affairs, promoting peace and cooperation among nations. By linking India's future to the world's future, Nehru was rejecting narrow nationalism and embracing a vision of global brotherhood. He believed that peace, freedom, and prosperity are indivisible, meaning that true success for India would only be achieved when these values were realised globally. This reflects Nehru's commitment to internationalism and his hope that independent India would contribute to building a better world for all.
Key Vocabulary
Tryst: An agreement to meet at a specific time and place, or a predetermined meeting
Redeem: To fulfil or carry out a promise or pledge
Utterance: The act of expressing something in words, or spoken expression
Incessant: Continuing without pause or interruption, constant
Indivisible: Unable to be divided or separated
Sovereign: Possessing supreme or ultimate power and authority
Note: Students should read this historic speech carefully to understand Nehru's vision for independent India and the responsibilities that come with freedom. This speech remains relevant today as it reminds us of the values and goals our nation was built upon.