E-Paper
HT archives: Gandhi praised by Nehru, Patel in first Independence Day speech
The Hindustan Times on August 15, 1947 covered in details how India marked the moment of Independence.
‘INDIA INDEPENDENT : BRITISH RULE ENDS’. That was the lead headline of Hindustan Times on August 15, 1947. The newspaper’s edition that day reported about a range of events--from governors being sworn in to ‘homage to Mahatma Gandhi’. Here is a verbatim version of the story on Mahatma Gandhi:
HOMAGE TO THE FATHER OF THE NATION
Eloquent tributes to Mahatma Gandhi , the Father of the Nation , were paid by India’s leaders during the transfer of the power ceremony in the Constituent Assembly on Thursday night .
Pandit Nehru in his speech, referring to Gandhiji said: “ The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. “ In his Independence message to the nation Pandit Nehru said: “....Succeeding generations will bear the imprint in their hearts of this great son of India, magnificent in his faith and strength and courage and humanity.
Dr Rajendra Prasad said: “ Gandhiji represents that undying spirit in our culture and make-up which has kept India alive through vicissitudes of history. He – enabled us to stand up for justice to claim our birth- right of freedom and placed on our hands the matchless and unfailing weapon of non-violence, which without arms and armaments has won us the invaluable prize of Swaraj...”
Sardar Patel said in his Independence message : “ We are proud to have brought India to its goal and acclaim the glorious results achieved by a long sustained , peaceful and non-violence struggle under Gandhiji’s inspring leadership.”
Acharya Kripalani said: “ That this (Independence) has been possible is due to the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who, if any man may so be called, is the Father of the Nation.”
