Jawaharlal Nehru –
The first National flag was hoisted by none other than India's 1st Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15th August 1947. That day marked the beginning of sovereign, socialist and secular India. It marked India's Independence. As Pt Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the national flag at Delhi's Red Fort, the nation rose to respect and saluted it.
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14th November, 1889 in Allahabad. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1919. After Pakistan was carved out, he was made India's first Prime Minister.
Jawaharlal Nehru died on 27th May 1964.
Nehru's speech on the eve of India's Independence was extremely powerful and re-evoked sense of brotherhood amongst the masses. An extract of the speech is as follows:
“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. 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.
It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”
Nehru served as the PM from 15th August 1947 till 27th May 1964
