India, Aug. 10 -- It was the night of August 8/9, 1942, some 84 years ago. Mahatma Gandhi and several of our freedom fighters had assembled in Bombay. They had just one goal in mind: Freedom! India had been enslaved under colonial rule since 1757, and it was high time to break free! Gandhi's call was clear, loud and unequivocal.

On August 8, 1942, at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee, he introduced the resolution to start a 'Quit India Movement.' The resolution was unanimously passed at that historic meeting. Later, he delivered a fiery speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan (now known as 'August Kranti Maidan'), which marked the launch of the Quit India Movement. He said, "There is a mantra, a short one that I give you. You...