Can someone explain the meaning of first line of "tryst with destiny" speech in simple words?

Question

This below line is from the speech from first prime minister of india. I couldn't understand the meaning of this. Can somebody explain me in simple English/Hindi with explanation of the below line

"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"

As per my understanding the literal meaning coming out to be which doesn't make any sense is

"Long time back We had a meeting with our luck/future and now the it is the time to encash our promise not in complete but in large part of it."

Please help

Answer 1

Throughout history there have been many great speeches, words that express the hopes and fears of the speaker that are passed on down for future generations although that may not have been in the minds of the speaker at the time. They are usually intended to encourage and express the dreams and hopes for the future whilst reflecting on the past.

I have in mind speeches such as JFK's '' ask not what your Country can do for you but what can you do for your Country "

Martin Kings " I have a dream .. that black and white can be brothers ", Tim Collins' the eve of battle speech as the soldiers prepared for war in Iraq, " We go to liberate not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them" . , and off course the one you refer to by Jawaharlal Nehru made to the Indian Constitution Assembly on the Eve of India's Independence.

The background to the partition of Indian and Pakistan, by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India,  was a tragedy. The idealistic hopes of people of all religions in the vast Indian continent was marred by fractional in fighting and distrust. Many people lost their lives as Indian and Pakistan became the two nations that they are now free from the rule of the ( then ) British Empire.

So imagine a new leader of a Country on the eve of a great adventure in self rule, as Nehru himself put it " when the world sleeps India will awake to life and freedom .... are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity ? "