The Chinese attack of 1962 was the saddest chapter of Jawaharlal’s life. If he was physically not the same person which he had been all his years, it was not because of the Chinese attack but because of his first illness in the summer of 1962. He had felt very tired and wanted to resign. At the time of China’s attack, in spite of a feeling that his trust had been betrayed, he stuck to his faith in non-alignment and to his faith in his people’s capacity to defend themselves. He asked the people to treat the Chinese attack as a blessing in disguise and make a gigantic effort for a massive economic build-up which alone could be the basis of a massive military build-up.
Even though he had been ill, he could not give up his sense of duty.
“There is one ambition left in me : that in the few years left to me, I should throw myself, with all the strength and energy left in me, into the work of building up India. I want to do it to the uttermost, till I am exhausted and thrown away on the scrap heap. I am not interested in what you or anybody thinks of me afterwards. It is enough for me that I have exhausted myself, my strength and energy in India’s task.” In Parliament, he was still the most alert of ministers, outside, he was the most energetic of men, still bubbling with a sense of fun, though sadness was written on his face which was showing the furrows of old age.
November 1963, was the month of warnings and exhortation. On November 4, he warned that if socialism was not hastened, people might became impatient; on November 6, he declared that poverty and disparity in wealth must go soon; on November 8, in a call, he spoke of the importance of agriculture; on November 10, he said education comes first; on November 14, nation celebrated his 74 birthday. On November 18, he inaugurated four projects under the Heavy Engineering Corporation, in which Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia had helped. On November 20, intervening in the meeting of the new executive of the Congress Parliamentary party, he talked of the revitalization of farming, more incentives were not enough, new implements were also necessary. On December 7, he declared that only total disarmament could bring happiness. On December 10, he inaugurated an Asian conference, where he spoke of planned steps to control population. Again on December 10, in the House of the People, he said that there could be no progress without planning. The year ended on an optimistic note.
The routine of Jawaharlal continues, inspite of illness, inspite of setbacks and disappointments. He took keen interest in every part of his work. He attended parliament regularly and spoke in it on all important occasions and on all important subjects. He presided over meetings of the cabinet and took an interest in the work of every ministry. He lived to move among the people and derive inspiration and a feeling of freshness from them. Yet, years, months and days were passing and there was so much to do. He wrote on his writing pad the following lines from a poem by the American poet, Robert Frost—
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
but I have promises to keep,
and miles to go before I sleep
and miles to go before I sleep.”
Jawaharlal woke up in morning and did exercises before getting ready for the day. Breakfast was his favourite meal. He would then go down to meet the crowd of visitors who went daily to see him. In office where he arrived punctually, he kept his secretaries and stenos busy. In the evening he would be busy, addressing a meeting, holding talks with visitors or attending a dance performance.
He had been one of the finest instruments of historical forces, physically and in mind, the product of his age, reflecting its spirit, itself a product of the progress of science. He never allowed himself and his countrymen forget the spirit of history, his approach was as highly intellectual as it was emotional. “Personal integrity, love of country, lofty idealism, faith in the people and a passion to serve them well, for reading vision, these are the qualities by which he commands our respect, one of the handful of man who have influenced the implacable forces of our time,” said Adlai Stevenson. He stood for the things he believed in. An exciting conversationalist, he was ready to listen attentively to others. Like Gandhi, he had faith in the common man and under him there was a free market of ideas in India. He dealt with thousands of problems and prepared himself for new problems, never tired, never wanting in sympathy. This was the secret of his vitality, his youth, his radiant energy.
“The hardest sentence you can give to any Indian today in India is to put him in a seat of authority,” he said. He liked to be posted with foets and wanted straight forward discussions on matters on which there was a difference of opinion. He was essentially a man of the future. He could speak brilliantly and persuasively but in a conversational manner. He had the capacity not only to absorb the ideas, sentiments and aspirations but the passing moods of the people. He was a composite man, English by education, Muslim by culture and Hindu by birth, as he said in his auto-biography, but there was no split in his personality. He did not know what fear was, and in the most critical moments of his life, he showed complete self-possession, and moral, physical and intellectual courage, he did not have courage in compartments. He never worked either for success or greatness, with all his high ambition for his country, and he carried it, whether he could be called a success or a failure, into a new epoch.
In January, 1964 Jawaharlal attended the Bhubaneshwar session of the Congress. Jawaharlal was over worked and on January 7, he developed high blood pressure. He was advised complete rest. Next morning, he made good progress and the blood pressure came down. He went through the newspapers and had his meals. He expressed a desire to go out but was persuaded to take complete rest. On January 9, he spent a comfortable day, read books and improved in health. January 10 was a restful day and he spent sometime in reading.
“I am feeling fine,” said Jawaharlal to a group of correspondents on his return to New Delhi. He looked a little pulled down and weak but otherwise he was in normal health and cheerful. Next day the President called on him, and no more news about his health were issued. January 14 was a restful day. But he didn’t like rest and was keen to resume work. On January 19, Khrushchev invited him to the Soviet Union for rest, but Jawaharlal wanted to work, no rest. On January 24, Jawaharlal went out for a drive and felt relaxed the whole day. On republic day, he was greeted all along Rajpath by the people with thunderous cheers. Next day, he had a routine medical checkup at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences; again on January 31, he had a routine medical check-up. February also was relaxing. Holi was celebrated at Teen Murti House. On March 26, he made a broadcast to the nation appealing for communal harmony, and hoping for the success of the Indo-Pakistan talks.
In April, Jawaharlal invited Shiekh Abdullah to Delhi. The Sheikh and twelve others were released and cases against them withdrawn, in good faith. On April 13, however, Jawaharlal had to say in Parliament that Sheikh’s speeches were unfortunate. Sheikh injected hope by declaring on April 15 that he was not seeking a solution to Kashmir at India’s cost. He wants peaceful settlement. On April 29, Sheikh had a 45 minute talk with Jawaharlal in search of goodwill.
During the early days of May, the main news of interest was Sheikh Abdullah’s solution for Kashmir. On May 8, Jawaharlal said there would be no harm if Shiekh Abdullah visited Pakistan. On May 12, Sheikh said that a base for a Kashmir solution had been found, after his talks with Jawaharlal and other central leaders. In his message, Jawaharlal said that he wanted accord with Pakistan. But a Kashmir solution would not be at the cost of principles, he said on May 17.
Jawaharlal had been thinking of taking some rest and he went to Dehradun on May 23 for a three day holiday. He looked relaxed and cheerful. On May 24, he met some of the relatives in Dehradun, strolled on the lawns of Circuit House, and attended to some urgent work before retiring. On May 25, he had a day of rest and looked more relaxed and cheerful. He disposed of some files. In the evening, he drove to Sahastradhara, a picnic spot 16 km. from Circuit House. Indira and his two physicians accompanied him. On May 26, he decided to leave for Delhi as his health was improving. He was given an affectionate send-off by a large cheering crowd as he took for the Sarsawa airport in the Indian Air Force Helicopter.
At Palam, he was received by Lal Bahadur Shastri. He worked till midnight. The people thought his life had been prolonged by his holiday in Dehradun.
In the morning on May 27, he woke up feeling uneasy and began to read a book. His attendant asked him how he felt. He said he was not feeling too well. He lay in bed and felt too ill to get up. Doctors came, and they did their best. Indira was by his side. She offered her blood, if needed, so that his life could be saved. But it seemed to be of no use.
The news of Jawaharlal’s illness spread throughout the country. There was hope that he might recover. The people had been accustomed to his presence and refused to think that he would leave them suddenly. At 2 P.M. the attempt to save him had to be given up. He was dead.
The nation was grief-stricken. Parliament was meeting at that time. M.P.’s wept on hearing the news. Subramanium announced, “The Prime Minister is no more. The light is out.” There was no one who could express the sorrow more adequately. Parliament adjourned immediately. The world felt bereaved. Messages from leaders of other countries came pouring in, and some of the leaders came to Delhi for the state funeral on the morning of May 28. Prominent among them were—Prime Minister of Britain Lord Hume, Prime Minister of Yugoslavia Peter Stambolik, Deputy President of Republican United Arab Hussain Shafi, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Sirimavo Bhandarnayak, Prime Minister of Nepal Dr. Tulsi Giri, Foreign Minister of Pakistan Zulfficar Ali Bhutto, Home Minister of Iran Dr. Jawad Sadar, Representative of Queen of Britain Lord Mountbatten etc. It was decided that the funeral will take place on the banks of river Yamuna. The same place where 16 years back Gandhiji’s body was taken for funeral. Gandhiji’s samadhi was named Rajghat and that of Nehruji’s decided was Shanti-Vana. Lakhs of people surrounded the Teen-Murti House, to have a last glimpse of their leader; and were also standing along roadside for Teen Murti to Shanti-Vana a distance of 6½ miles. At 4:37 P.M. Sanjay lighted fire off funeral pyre. The crowd became restless. Every body was weeping; and everywhere there was only one slogan—“Pd. Nehru long live.”
Jawaharlal’s ashes were immersed into the Ganga and scattered from the air according to his wish. But that was not the end of him. Like Gandhiji, he is a part of the Indian heritage, of the historical process. This way, on era came to an end.
