NEED FOR AVOIDING ARMED CONFLICT

17 September, 1948: Nizamat Ended

NEED FOR AVOIDING ARMED CONFLICT 

C.R.’S ADVICE TO NIZAM

STATE GOVT.’S STAND UNALTERED

HYDERABAD (Resy.), Aug. 28

The Nizam’s reply to the recent appeal from India’s Governor-General has been sent, it is learnt, to-day, though it is not clear whether the Hyderabad Agent-General in India carried it with him or it was sent to Delhi by post.

Official circles here describe Rajaji’s communication as a sincere and well-intentioned appeal to the Nizam to come to terms with India and avoid an armed conflict, but they state that it does not contain any specific proposal to end the stalemate.

According to official sources, the Nizam is stated to have replied that he was anxious for an honourable settlement with the Indian Union and the Hyderabad was ready to behave like a good neighbour of India. The reply does not give any inkling that the Nizam has altered his stand in this regard from his counter-proposals made to India in June 1948.

An official spokesman told me that Hyderabad would be willing to sign a draft agreement with the three modifications, already urged, namely, the provision of an arbitration clause in the agreement, concessions with regard to imports and exports and the modification of the clause providing for the stationing of troops inside the State in “any emergency” Hyderabad seeks modification of the phrase into “in the event of war”

The official spokesmen further stated that if further negotiations between India and Hyderabad emerge from this correspondence, Hyderabad would insist that such negotiations should be conducted direct with Mir Laik Ali, the Prime Minister, but not through any intermediaries. –F.O.C.

 Source: C. Rajagopalachariar, MSS, NMML

Golden Jubilee of Nai Talim (Basic Education)

5 September, 1962: Teacher’s Day

            

                  

         Golden Jubilee of Nai Talim (Basic Education)

          I offer my respectful and heartiest felicitations on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Nai Talim by the Gujarat Nai Talim Sangh. It is most appropriate that a convention of Nai Talim workers is being organized by the Sangh in the dedicated and inspiring ‘environment’ of the Gujrat Vidyapith founded by Mahatma Gandhi. Nai Talim we primarily owe to him.

          It is apparent beyond doubt that in the Atomic Age man’s advancement, even survival, depends on effectively linking with courage and determination education and building of character. It mseans an integrated training of the body, mind and spirit. This is not possible without an aspiration for truth and ahimsa. The character building aspect of education is the central, the key concept of Basic Education. It adds a new dimension to the teaching profession of the utmost importance. Says Gandhiji speaking of his experiments at the Tolstoy Farm in S. Africa (1910-11): “A cowardly teacher would never succeed in making his boys vailant, and a stranger to self-restraint could never teach his pupils the value of self-restraint. I saw, therefore, that I must be an eternal object-lesson to the boys and girls living with me. They thus became my teachers, and I learnt I must be good and live straight, if only for their sakes.”

          Einstein underscores the same thing. He says (1950): “The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life. To make this a living force and bring it to clear consciousness is perhaps the foremost task of education.”

          Basic Education has a significance and value as never before. It’s development – theory and practice -would need sustained and dedicated work involving a great deal of research.

          I convey my good wishes and regards to participants, and wish the convention a most fruitful session.

                                                                                                            (D.S. Kothari)

24 November 1988

Source: D.S. Kothari Papers, MSS, NMML