________________ Some Reflections on the Gaps in Valsali's History 73 creative and constructive new effort and knew how to combine regard for new truths with love for old tradition. This is precisely what we have to learn today, if we are once more to rise. In the religious sphere, Vaisali stood for harmony, tolerance and understanding and we have to learn much from her in this respect. In the social sphere she stood for equality and fair play for all, irrespective of caste or sex. We in modern India have yet to achieve a good deal in this sphere. And above all, Vaisali stood for republican traditions and showed that as long as the citizens of a republic cultivate martial qualities, maintain their supremacy in trade and industry, follow high standards of integrity and decorum in their public and private life and work their republican constitution in the true democratic traditions, a republic will continue to prosper and make her own contribution to the march of human progress. Let ancient Vaisali be our beacon light and there is no doubt that it will enable independent Republican Bharata to make an all round progress in all the spheres of human life both here and hereafter. 10
