2. Despite Having Campaigned For Independence For The Majority Of His Life, Gandhi Was Not Present At Jawaharlal Nehru's Speech Declaring India As A New State
On the eve of India's independence, just before midnight on August 14, 1947, the soon-to-be first Prime Minister of the new nation, Jawaharlal Nehru (pictured above left, with Gandhi), gave a speech which came to be known as "Tryst with Destiny". Considered to be one of the greatest speeches of all time, the oration emphasises the non-violent means in which Indians gained independence from the British Empire. Despite being one of the main reasons behind India being granted independence, Gandhi was not present at this historic speech. Instead, he was fasting in Kolkata for religious harmony. Personal glories were not something which Gandhi believed in - even one as big as Indian independence.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
