Written by Nehru's official biographer, this volume of speeches, writings, letters and memoranda covers the eventful months from August 15, 1947, when India became a free country and Nehru was sworn in as the Prime Minister, to December 31, 1947, when India took the issue of Pakistan's aggression in Kashmir to the United Nations. During this period, Nehru laid down a secular path hoping to strengthen the country's unity, expedited the drafting of a new constitution, visualized social change through planned development, and projected a picture of what India might one day achieve and become.