Extracts from the speech of Shri Sri Prakasa,
Governor of Bombay on the occasion of Republic Day (Broadcast recorded at
Nagpur on Wednesday, January 20, 1960)
My Brothers and Sisters,
Once more the glad occasion of
our Republic Day has come; and once more on this historic date of January 26,
we throw our minds back to the long decades of our struggle for Freedom, and
particularly to the decade that closes to-day, during which we have functioned
as a Sovereign Democratic Republic, as architects and arbiters of our own
national destiny. I greet you all, citizens of the State of Bombay, and send
you my best wishes for a year of healthful and joyous endeavour in the cause of
our own well-being so that when this day comes round again, we might take stock
of our achievements, and be able honestly to congratulate ourselves on our
tasks well done.
….When first I addressed you soon
after taking charge of my present office, I dilated on the fact that we were a
bilingual State; and to us was entrusted the great task of making it a success
so that we might be able to encourage other similar unions to take place in the
land, and be bulwark against any fissiparious tendencies that might tend to
endanger our unity and our solidarity. This was on this date in the year 1957.
In 1958 on the self-same date, I ventured to draw the attention of my brothers
and sisters to the extreme necessity of looking after their homes so that these
may be truly happy and healthy centres of domestic and social life, and build
up the succeeding generations in an atmosphere of true patriotism and social
service. A year later in 1959, I made a personal appeal so that every single
individual might be encouraged to examine himself; and by overcoming his
drawbacks, make himself a truly worthy citizen of the great Republic fulfilling
all his duties to himself, his family,
his society and his country.
I anxiously think to-day of what
further I could usefully say. So far as my talk about the bilingual State was
concerned, we all know that despite the best efforts of our leaders, it was not
possible to overcome the popular sentiment that here too, we should have
unilingual States just as we have in the rest of the country. It has now been
decided that within a few month’s time, that is as soon as the necessary
formalities and preliminaries are fulfilled, we should have separate
Maharashtra and Gujarat States. The situation is beyond the realms of argument,
for sentiment has to be taken into consideration, and the wishes of the majority
fulfilled in a democracy. I may only hope that all the problems that arise at a
time like this, would be peacefully and harmoniously resolved, and that the new
States would function in an atmosphere of complete mutual friendliness and
goodwill. The State of Bombay has always been noted for its progressive thought
and activity; and has ever been in the forefront of national struggle, giving a
proper lead to public opinion all over the land. It has as its headquarters,
the great City of Bombay which has been unique in its cosmopolitan nature
offering welcome to all who came to it, and giving shelter and assistance
generously and spontaneously to all who needed the same. These age-long
relations can never be sundered; and all those who belong to the two States as
they will after the bifurcation, will, I have no doubt, continue their mutual
co-operation for the good of themselves and the country as a whole.
….A democracy entirely depends on
every citizen doing his duty; and in the fulfilling of our daily tasks, lies
the seeds of the highest patriotism. A democratic people cannot afford to
depend on any individual or individuals appearing mysteriously from somewhere
and making our tasks light and easy for us. These have to be performed by
ourselves, and so incessant vigilance is essential on the part of everyone in
the matter of fulfilling his personal responsibilities and keeping himself fit
for all emergencies….
Many events of the year that has
just closed, have brought all these matters vividly and forcibly to our minds.
There is the fundamental problem of Unity. Whether we live in unilingual or
multilingual constituent States of our Republic, we have always to remember
that the safety, the dignity, the integrity and the solidarity of the country
as a whole, are our first concern….
….Then there is the problem of
internal development. We have our successive Five Year Plans to implement for
raising our standards of material life. The success of these plans entirely
depends upon our performing the duties entrusted to us properly and well,
whether we live in the city or the village, whether we are rich or poor….
Consider the situation from whatever point of view we may, we are bound to come
to the conclusion that ultimately everything depends upon ourselves as
individual citizens. We must, therefore, so strive during the year that lies in front that we might be
worthy of the high tasks entrusted to our care; and freed from all fears that
assail us to-day, live in security, peace and joy.
Jaya Hind.
(Sri Prakasa)
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