First Prime Minister of India

The Labor Government had come to power in England after the Second World War. The new British leaders appreciated that transfer of power to India was expected and they sent out in 1946 a Cabinet Mission for talks with Indian leaders. On behalf of the Congress Party, Jawaharlal carried out discussions with the British and the Muslim League for bringing freedom to India. A united free India, with equal rights and opportunities for everyone, irrespective of religion, caste, creed and color formed the main plank of Jawaharlal's case in these talks. In the meantime, he accepted the British request to form the interim Government. He was sworn-in a Vice-Chairman and Member for External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations. In the talks, Jawaharlal fought to a great extent to preserve the country's unity, beseeching with the Muslim League and the British and appealing to the good sense of the masses. But all his efforts failed to turn away the tragic partition of India. When Independence came on August 15, 1947, he became the First Prime Minister of independent India and held this position continuously until his death.

In 1948, Jawaharlal had the inimitable distinction of being called upon to address the United Nations Assembly in Paris. His great efforts for upholding peace in the world and brother hood among men won applause from every corner. In later years, he showed that these were not empty words; he meant every word of what he said. Whether it was the warlike threats of China and Pakistan to India, or threats to peace anywhere in the world, he tried and worked for a peaceful settlement. Jawaharlal's love for our country and its honesty was unbounded. When China invaded India in October 1962, he became a real man of action, organizing defense and inspirational the soldiers. It was his leadership that enabled India to withstand the massive belligerence of the Chinese.