Logo

e-paper

34CNew Delhi,India
Follow us:

india
world
cities
opinion
sl vs ind
sports
entertainment
lifestyle
business
tech
education
whatnow
photos
videos
jaago re

A page from history: How Hindustan Times reported news of Indias independence
A verbatim version of the lead story in our August 15, 1947 story.

INDEPENDENCEDAY2017 Updated: Aug 15, 2017 09:46 IST

Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru addressing the midnight session of the Constituent Assembly
of India.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru addressing the midnight session of the Constituent Assembly
of India.
INDIA INDEPENDENT : BRITISH RULE ENDS. That was the lead headline of Hindustan
Times on August 15, 1947. The newspapers 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 lead story.

(By Our Special Representative)

NEW DELHI, Thursday At midnight tonight the Constituent Assembly consisting of

the chosen representatives of the Indian people, assumed sovereign power and the
members solemnly took the pledge to serve India and her people. We end today a
period of all fortune and India discovers herself again, said Pandit Nehru in
calling upon the members to take the new pledge.

Earlier the president of the constituent assembly, Dr Rajendra Prasad , said: To

all we give the assurance that it will be our endeavour to end poverty and squalor
and its companions, hunger and disease to abolish distinctions and exploitation
and to ensure decent conditions of living.

After the assembly had sat for 75 minutes, during which it assumed powers of
governance and endorsed the appointment of Lord Mountbatten as Governor-general. Dr
Rajendra Prasad and Pt. Nehru proceeded to the Government House to inform Lord
Mountbatten of the assemblys decisions. Later, the National Flag presented to the
Assembly by Mrs. Hansa Mehta on behalf of the women of India was hoisted amidst
cheers of thousands who had gathered outside the council House

The climax was reached when at the last stroke of midnight there was blowing of
conches and spontaneously the cry of Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai went up. That these
were the first words uttered by the representatives of Indian people on attaining
freedom was an expression of the peoples

gratitude to the architect of the nation to whom both Pandit Nehru and Dr Rajendra
Prasad paid glowing tributes in their speeches.

The birth of a free India was witnessed by diplomatic representatives of the

nations representing more than half the population of the globe. Ambassadors of the
U.S.A and China were there and also High Commissioners of Canada and Australia and
diplomatic representatives of other countries.

It was the greatest hour for Delhi. This capital of many mighty empires became
today for the first in its history the seat of Lok Raj, government of the people,
by the people and for the people.

The Assembly Hall was full to capacity and appeared most impressive. The National
Flag adorned the dozen large panels some of which formerly had life size portraits
of British dignitaries. The flags provided the proper background for the momentous
meeting. Loudspeakers carried the proceedings to the thousands who had thronged
outside.

The visitors inside the hall were certainly in a select gathering, mostly wives of
officials resplendent silks and relations of members of the assembly. It was a pity
that the man in the street got little chance of seeing the function. Perhaps there
was philosophic justice in the ceremony being observed mostly by those who were
loyal to the former regime.

The most pleasing part of the function was that among members Khadi dress
predominated and that even those ordinarily accustomed to European costume came in
achkan. These included Ambedkar, Mr B. L. Mitter, Mr Panikkar and Mr Zaida. The
assembly secretariat officials were all dressed in achcan only the deputy
secretary, Mr Tayabji wore Pakistani turban. Many welcomed Mr Mavalankar, the
president of the defunct Central Assembly who joined the house today. The new
Ministers who will be sworn in tomorrow sat to the left of the President.

more from independenceday2017

My birthday brings joy and troubled memories: Ex-JNU prof born on Aug 15, 1947
Aug 16, 2017 16:53 IST

Born on August 15, 1947: The search for Delhis Midnights Children
Aug 16, 2017 12:49 IST

recommended for you

editor's pick

Beyond buzzwords, where is PM Modi's new India', writes Rajdeep Sardesai

Six women, a boat and 21,600 nautical miles: 10 facts about Indian Navy mission

Before Kerala love jihad' case, SC upheld inter-faith, inter-caste marriages i

World's shortest horror story':?Cartoonists sketch the tragedy in Gorakhpur?

top news
Barcelona crash LIVE: 2 dead as van ploughs into crowd in Las Ramblas, police cal

Corporates donated Rs 957 crore to national parties in 4 years, BJP got lion's
share

Six Apaches for Rs 4,168 crore: Army to get its own attack helicopters

Rajasthan, HPCL ink joint venture agreement for Barmer oil refinery
don't miss

Annabelle: Creation movie review - Genuinely creepy; the best film in the Conjurin

Partition-1947 movie review: If it wasn't Lord Mountbatten then who divided Ind

Live cricket score: England vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1 live, Edgbaston: ENG?
108/2

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have a poolside, swimsuit reunion in France. Se

Logo
india
world
business
education
autos
real estate
opinion
analysis
columns
editorials
authors
cities
delhi
gurgaon
noida
mumbai
bhopal
chandigarh
dehradun
indore
jaipur
kolkata
lucknow
patna
ranchi
pune
sports
cricket
football
tennis
others
entertainment
movie reviews
bollywood
hollywood
regional movies
world cinema
tv
music
tabloid
lifestyle
sex & relationship
fitness
fashion & trends
art & culture
travel
books
brunch
tech
tech reviews
gadgets
photos
videos
epaper
interactives
punjab
livemint
livehindustan
shine
htcampus
desimartini
studymate
englishmate
htsyndication
Follow us on:
Copyright HT Media Limited All rights reserved.
About us
Contact us
Privacy policy
Disclaimer
Print Ad rates
Jobs