It is considered to be one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century[1] and to be a landmark oration that captures the essence of the triumphant culmination of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule in India.

He declared the end of the colonial era and called on citizens to recognize the promise and opportunity of the moment:"Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny.

At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.

A moment 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.

"His speech[2] went on to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi's efforts in the Independence Movement and called upon his countrymen to work together to"...bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.