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Jawaharlal Nehru: The Inveterate Letter Writer

His correspondence with chief ministers reveals a struggle between Nehru the visionary and Nehru the pragmatist

Originally published in Live Mint

There are many ways to celebrate the various legacies of Jawaharlal Nehru in the year to mark his 125th birth anniversary. His love for children is an obvious contender, for a holiday named Children’s Day. His commitment to pluralism and tolerance is another in the current global climate. Even the Nehru jacket has made a fashionable comeback in recent decades. A lesser known, almost forgotten side of Nehru’s persona is his letter writing. In times when the cheapest way to communicate was the post, it is no surprise that Nehru and his contemporaries wrote letters. Especially during the freedom struggle, when they were in and out of prison, with few options to communicate.

There are many ways to celebrate the various legacies of Jawaharlal Nehru in the year to mark his 125th birth anniversary. His love for children is an obvious contender, for a holiday named Children’s Day. His commitment to pluralism and tolerance is another in the current global climate. Even the Nehru jacket has made a fashionable comeback in recent decades.
A lesser known, almost forgotten side of Nehru’s persona is his letter writing. In times when the cheapest way to communicate was the post, it is no surprise that Nehru and his contemporaries wrote letters. Especially during the freedom struggle, when they were in and out of prison, with few options to communicate.

There are many ways to celebrate the various legacies of Jawaharlal Nehru in the year to mark his 125th birth anniversary. His love for children is an obvious contender, for a holiday named Children’s Day. His commitment to pluralism and tolerance is another in the current global climate. Even the Nehru jacket has made a fashionable comeback in recent decades.A lesser known, almost forgotten side of Nehru’s persona is his letter writing. In times when the cheapest way to communicate was the post, it is no surprise that Nehru and his contemporaries wrote letters. Especially during the freedom struggle, when they were in and out of prison, with few options to communicate.

 

Continue reading at: Livemint

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