World Religions Conference November 1957

Author(s): Sushil Muni
Publisher: Achal Singh Seth

Page 94

Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India
Judging not just by what things are today but also by what they have been in the past, I have a aith that a great spirit unites our country. Even in times when India was split into countless parts this spirit, a spirit of peace and godwill-you may call it culture-gave it an underlying unity. Now we are a free and united country of course; but still we find that we flare up over petty issues and forget our bonds of unity towards our province, country and faith. This is something that requires deep thought.
A month ago, I returned from Japan and as I have said on an earlier occasion that nation possesses many virtues. For one thing, they are very devoted to their motherland. I know of no other people that love their country to such an extent. There is nothing that can break their unity and split them into atoms. But here in our country we forget ourselves on every petty occasion. For another thing, we talk a great deal about nonviolence, but in our actions we very often indulge in violence directly or Indirectly. Surely such a state of affairs does us little credit. If India has to give a message to the world then I think that in India we must live by love.
If India wants to do this then we the people of India must do accordIngly. You know that there is great tension in the field of world politics and India is known to follow the policy of peace. Ours is a policy of cooperation and co-existence, the policy of true political freedom. Whether we agree with other nations or not is immaterial; we must be friends with all, For to be friends with one with whom we agree is no achievement. True success lies in achieving what is more difficult if we must try and be friendly with even those with whom we do not agree. Some nations have not approved of such a policy but there are others that have welcomed it and whichever countries I have visited, I have tried to observe what influence our policy has had abroad.
Whatever effect it may have on the people or the Government is a different affair for layers upon layers have settled down which must be penetrated. But I have seen that during the last ten years we have spoken with goodwill and a cool and collected voice, we have never lost our nerve, never abused others and we have tried to do whatever we thought was for the best. This had its effect no doubt, but, as you know, the world is occupied with what is called 'cold war'. Modern military weapons are not used in this cold war. But there is nothing cold about it: there is in fact too much heat, our brains are heated and our voices are heated and what we mean by a non-violent approach to any problem is completely lacking. Our minds are filled with violence and hatred and I do not believe that we can solve any problems by following this path. The story In the past used to be very much the same but now the times have changed. A great revolution is afoot. Man is trying hard to channel the energies of
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