INDIA WAKES TO LIFE & FREEDOM

NEW DELHI, Aug. 14.

NEW DELHI, Aug. 14. – Great enthusiasm and scenes which could hardly be forgotten were witnessed tonight when the Constituent Assembly held its midnight session for the assumption of power.

Members attended in full strength. The hall was brilliantly flood-lit and the empty panels of the portraits on the walls were covered with bright national flags. Few of the members wore European costume and all were in Dhoti and Kurta or Ackans.

While the members exchanged cordial compliments, … crowds streamed to the vicinity of the Council Hall where arrangement had been made for them to hear the speeches of the leaders… carried by loud speakers.

There were traffic jam in Parliament Street and other main roads leading to the Council long before the House met at 11 P.M. At 11 the President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, dressed in white Khadi, took the chair. There was hushed silence and members took their seats.

Above on the Galleries, visitors were crowded while on either side of the President sat members of the Diplomatic Corps with their wives and members of the Government, who will be sworn-in tomorrow morning.