The plan of the British government was to liberate India in June 1948. In this episode, Lord Mountbatten came to India in February 1947 as Viceroy. But the situation became such that it became difficult for the British to keep India dependent. Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah was adamant on partition. In such a situation, on 3 June 1947, Mountbatten held a historic meeting. It was decided that India would be independent on 15th August. The Viceroy considered August 15 auspicious because two years ago, on August 15, 1945, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced surrender to the Allied countries in a recorded radio message.
India's independence was formalized during the fifth meeting of the Constituent Assembly on the intervening night of 14/15 August 1947. The meeting started at 11 pm under the chairmanship of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly. First of all, Sucheta Kripalani sang 'Vande Mataram'. After this Dr. Rajendra Prasad's speech began with these lines – “At this solemn hour in our history, when after many years of struggle we are taking over the governance of this country, let us offer humble thanks to the Almighty that shape the destinies of men and nations."
proposal for independence of india
After this, Pandit Nehru first presented the proposal of India's independence in the Constituent Assembly. This was followed by his 'meeting with destiny' speech, which is one of the famous speeches in world history. Pandit Nehru's proposal was approved by Muslim League member Chaudhary Khaliquzman. After this Dr. Radhakrishnan's speech took place and he recommended the approval of the proposal to the assembly.
dissolution of the Constituent Assembly
Then Dr. Prasad proposed 'Viceroy is informed that the Constituent Assembly of India has assumed power to govern India'. After this educationist and freedom fighter Hansa Mehta coming from Mumbai presented the national flag of India which was accepted. The Constituent Assembly ended with Sucheta Kripalani's 'Saare Jahan Se Accha' and 'Jana Gana Mana'.
First Governor General of independent India
The first cabinet meeting took place at 8 am on 15 August. Chief Justice Hiralal Kania administered the oath to Viceroy Mountbatten as Governor-General. Here's an interesting anecdote. Last night Pandit Nehru and Dr. Prasad went to invite Mountbatten to become the first Governor General of independent India. In this meeting, Dr. Rajendra Prasad handed over an envelope to Mountbatten, which had the names of cabinet members.
hoisted the flag of independent India for the first time
After the departure of Pandit Nehru and Rajendra Prasad, when Mountbatten opened that envelope, there was only plain paper in it. Well, the next morning after taking the oath of Viceroy, Mountbatten administered the oath to Prime Minister Nehru and his cabinet. Babu Jagjivan Ram did not attend the swearing-in due to being in the hospital. Then there was a short speech by Mountbatten, after which the flag of independent India was hoisted for the first time on the terrace of the existing Parliament House. On this occasion, a crowd of thousands of enthusiastic people was present in the campus of Parliament House. The sky was resounding with slogans.
Moundbatten could not reach the flag hoisting place
Few people know that the first formal and public flag hoisting of independent India took place at Princes Park near India Gate at 5 pm on 15th August. On this occasion, there was a crowd of more than one lakh people near India Gate. Moundbatten came to the spot in a buggy with his wife and daughter. The crowd was so large that they could not reach the flag hoisting place. His clothes were drenched with sweat. His daughter was wearing sandals with heels. She picked up the sandal with her hands and reached the flag hoisting place.
Thousands of children were floating in the air in front of India Gate
Mountbatten indicated to hoist the flag while sitting in the car amid heavy noise. A large number of women with small newborn children had also come for the ceremony. It was difficult to breathe because of the crowd and the humidity. The children were crying, upset. So the women were throwing the children in the air. That day thousands of such children were floating in the air in front of India Gate. But as soon as the flag hoisting happened, it started raining. Another miracle happened. God also made the occasion colourful. A rainbow appeared in the sky, which the religious people of independent India considered as auspicious blessing of God.
Pandit Nehru gave the first speech of independent India
Do you know when the flag was first hoisted on the Red Fort? So remember the date – 16 August 1947 i.e. one day after getting independence. On August 16, the morale of the people was high. A fair was held in the ground outside the Red Fort. Sweets were being distributed. People were hugging, celebrating. There was a wooden swing for the children. The monkeys were entertaining the dancing people. The bear was showing tricks. Snake charmers were playing snake in the crowd. Everyone was in the throes of freedom. In such an environment, Pandit Nehru gave the first speech of independent India for the first time from the Red Fort.
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