Viceroy's House Page #8

You will forget what you have

done here.

Never.

I cannot serve you any more, sir.

I hope you never know

a moment's peace again.

We shan't go home.

After the transfer of power,

we'll stay on.

We must.

We'll do everything we can.

This tragedy was not of your making.

- Hindustan!

- Zindabad!

- Hindustan!

- Zindabad!

- Hindustan!

- Zindabad!

- Hindustan!

- Zindabad!

The gate of freedom is open in India

as thousands of Hindus in New Delhi

swarm the streets,

awaiting their hour of liberation.

In Karachi, capital of the newly

created Muslim state of Pakistan,

Lord Louis Mountbatten,

last Viceroy of India,

arrives to take part in the official end

of British rule.

I am pleased you can share

in the joyous birth of our nation.

The impossible dream is a reality.

It shouldn't be me standing here with

you. It should be Churchill.

He's the midwife who delivered you

your Pakistan.

I did what any leader would do

to realise his people's dreams.

The truth is we've both been used.

But you got what you wanted.

I got only half the country I wanted.

We will always fear for our existence.

The British, on the other hand,

got everything they were playing for.

You are the victors here.

Predicting the future is a dangerous game.

I fear there will be no victors here.

I have a letter

from President Harry S Truman

of the United States of America.

Congratulations to Pakistan

on its emergence among the family

of nations.

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 wake to life and freedom.

Pakistan shall be a secular country,

where all shall be welcome,

and I assure you that

we shall not be wanting

in friendly spirit with our neighbours.

We have to build the noble mansion

of free India,

but our freedom is only possible

because millions have

suffered and sacrificed.

We pledge to them to build a free India

where all her children may flourish.

Shouldn't we wake Bapuji?

He's fine, he's sleeping.

He said there's nothing to celebrate.

One million people become refugees

overnight.

Carrying their few possessions,

they flee from savagery and butchery

that has never been exceeded

even in India's stormy history.

Another two million are preparing

for their trek.

Many will never reach their new land.

The refugee problem is immense.

Smallpox and cholera are reported

from their camps.

Bibi Harmeet Kaur...

Jahlad Singh...

We ask for your patience, please.

There is enough food for everyone.

Please, move.

- Give to the children.

- Feed the children first.

Make sure the children...

Show me.

They haven't got enough food. Make

sure supplies are getting through.

Chandan Devi, Mandeep Singh,

Faishala Wad...

Sorry.

Nehruji.

Bring back my family.

I want my family back.

Forgive me, forgive me.

Daddy? Daddy?

Let's not have this.

Can't let the side down.

Not in public.

Some help over here, please.

My daughter.

My daughter, she is very sick.

This one is very weak, half-starved.

Jeet, find a stretcher!

Father's name?

- My daughter, she is very sick.

- What is your family name?

Bibi Jind Kaur Bedi,

Machine Mala, one.

District Jhelum.

- And your daughter?

- I had a daughter like her.

A mob took her away.

I found this girl on the railway tracks.

He father pushed her off the train

before everyone was killed.

So she is a Muslim.

- She must go to other camp.

- No.

- She's my daughter now.

- These are rules you have to follow.

We all suffer the same way, no?

Please try to understand.

- I can't allow it!

- Please try.

Please try to understand, beta.

She's my daughter now.

Jeet? Jeet?

Sorry, sorry.

My daughter is very sick.

Jeet?

Jeet Kumar?

Jeet?

Jeet?

Hey, stop, please!

Jeet?

Sorry, no, ma'am.

Aalia?

- Narinder Singh...

- Aalia Noor? Aalia Noor?

- Go back to line.

- Noor, Aalia.

Sir, let me assure you,

we're doing all we can.

Yes, we will. It's coming.

Darling, water's coming.

- There's more water coming.

- There are more water vases coming.

Now, for the time being, I would like

all families to stick together.

Aalia!

Aalia!

Jeet!

- Aalia!

- Jeet!

Jeet!

Jeet!

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