Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge,...At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. Jawaharlal Nehru

Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living? Mahatma Gandhi

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Ronald Reagan

We are Indians, firstly and lastly. B.R. Ambedkar

Thy spirit, Independence, let me share! Lord of the lion-heart and eagle-eye, Thy steps I follow with my bosom bare, Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky. Tobas George Smollet

Mother, I bow to thee! Rich with thy hurrying streams, Bright with orchard gleams, Cool with thy winds of delight, Green fields waving, Mother of might, Mother free. Glory of moonlight dreams, Over thy branches and lordly streams, Clad in thy blossoming trees, Mother, giver of ease, Laughing low and sweet! Mother I kiss thy feet, Speaker sweet and low! Mother, to thee I bow. Bankim Chandra Chaterjee

We have believed and we do believe now that freedom is indivisible, that peace is indivisible, that economic prosperity is indivisible. Indira Gandhi