Editorial

Our Precious Legacies

This month we celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Also, it was in this month Indira Gandhi laid down her life in the service of the nation. These great stalwarts had made historic contributions in changing the destiny of modern India decisively. Mahatma Gandhi arrived on the socio-political scene of India during the British regime giving the Congress Party and the nation a clear political direction and an appropriate strategy to win freedom. It was Gandhiji who for the first time conceived, perfected and preached a political philosophy that was inclusive, an economic reform that rekindled the spirit of Swadeshi and an action programme that aroused the true strength of the people. His philosophy of satyagraha is truely the greatest political doctrine perceived and successfully practiced in recent centuries. He brought to knees the mighty British empire without generating hatred for the British. This was a unique victory without parallel. In his presidential address at the Belgaum AICC Session in 1924, Gandhiji spoke at length on the merits of satyagraha while at the same time stating categorically, "I cannot and will not hate Englishmen. Nor will I bear their yoke." It was he who said that Hindu-Muslim unity is "breath of our life."

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the Home Minister of India at a time when his well-known qualities were needed most by the country. If Jawaharlal Nehru steered free India on the path of development and independent foreign policy, Sardar Patel masterminded unification of the nation. In a fitting tribute, Pandit Nehru said that Sardar Patel will be known as "the builder and consolidator of the new India." Living upto his reputation as the Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel managed the accession of over 650 Indian Princely states to the Indian Union largely peacefully in true Gandhian spirit.

"No person can aspire for a better friend, a better associate than Lal Bahadur Shastri in any field of work." This tribute was paid to Shastriji by no less a man than Pandit Nehru. Brought up in Gandhian traditions and trained under Pandit Nehru, Shastriji imbibed the remarkable qualities of both the great masters. He became the Prime Minister at a crucial moment in our history and lived as a Karma Yogi. As the chosen successor of Pandit Nehru, Shastriji exhibited steely resolve and ardent desire for peace when the country faced a military attack by Pakistan. "When freedom is endangered, there is only one duty Ð the duty to meet the challenge with all our might," Shastriji told the nation in a broadcast on 13 August, 1965. He roused the nation with his 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' slogan as the Indian troops fought to push back the aggressors. Yet, like Gandhiji he bore no animosity towards Pakistan. He said, "India and Pakistan are two great countries linked together by common history and tradition. It is their natural destiny to be friends with one another and to enter into close cooperation in many fields."

When Indira Gandhi was elected the Prime Minister the nation was ready for a quantum jump in economic development. In epoch-making moves she boldly abolished privy purses, promoted public sector, nationalized banks and introduced land reforms. Her tenure will be remembered in India's contemporary history for landmark and people-oriented measures. Future historians will surely attest the fact that people's love for the Congress Party enhanced during her tenure. And this played a significant role in strengthening democracy in India. If Pandit Nehru laid the foundation for a strong, self-reliant nation by launching new projects in core sector and setting up national science laboratories, Indira Gandhi built a super-structure on this foundation. Green Revolution and White Revolution changed the mindset of the rural population and showed them the benefits of cooperative and collective endeavour. Today if India is among the top ten industrialized nations, much of the credit should go to Indira Gandhi's vision, dedication and sacrifice. In October, when we remember these great leaders and the precious legacy they left behind for us, we must also remember and strive to protect and promote that legacy and take the nation to greater heights.