India@75: What our freedom fighters said on the eve of Independence Day in 1947

"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"

Jawaharlal Nehru

Indian Declaration of Independence, on the eve of Independence, August 15, 1947

(Image Source: NMML/Gandhi Museum/File Photo)

"Today when we are witnessing the fulfillment of our life's ambition and participating in the victory that has crowned the nation's struggle for freedom, it is our first duty to pay homage to the memory of those whose sacrifices have contributed so much to this glorious conclusion of that struggle. Let the nation honour their memory in the rejoicing which freedom has brought in its train" -  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Patel

(Image Source: File Photo)

"Complete independence through truth and non-violence means the independence of every unit, be it the humblest of the nation, without distinction of race, colour or creed"

"From tomorrow, we shall be delivered from the bondage of the British rule. But from midnight today, India will be partitioned too. While, therefore, tomorrow will be a day of rejoicing, it will be a day of sorrow as well. It will throw a heavy burden of responsibility upon us. Let us pray to God that He may give us strength to bear it"

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, on the eve of Indian Independence

(Image Source: File Photo)

"We want deeper sincerity of motive, a greater courage in speech, and earnestness in action" - Sarojini Naidu

(Image Source: Creative Commons/File Photo)

"Independence is no doubt a matter of joy. But let us not forget that this independence has thrown on us greater responsibilities. By independence, we have lost the excuse of blaming the British for anything going wrong. If hereafter things go wrong, we will have nobody to blame except ourselves. There is a greater danger of things going wrong. Times are fast-changing"

"Freedom of mind is the real freedom. A person, whose mind is not free though he may not be in chains, is a slave, not a free man. One, whose mind is not free, though he may not be in prison, is a prisoner and not a free man. One whose mind is not free though alive is no better than dead. Freedom of mind is proof of one's existence"

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar

"In attaining our ideals, our means should be as pure as the end" - Dr Rajendra Prasad

Dr Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, addressing the Independence Day Session on 15 August 1947

(Image Source: Twitter@IndiaembFrance)