
AST month, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution, less than a fortnight after marking, with considerably less ceremony, the 135th birthday of our first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
The former was, in essence, a celebration of the democracy that our founding Constitution-makers established in an India after centuries of various forms of despotic rule.
The latter acknowledged the man who, more than anyone else, ensured that our democracy became much more than a collection of words on a constitutional charter.
Despite the lofty aspirations of the Constitution, it was by no means axiomatic that a country like India, riven by so many internal differences and diversities, beset by acute poverty and torn apart by partition, would be or remain democratic.
Many developing countries found themselves turning in the opposite direction soon after independence, arguing that a firm hand was necessary to promote national unity and guide development.
Chaos continued after independence: we were soon at war with Pakistan; refugees continued to flow across the frontiers.
Within five months of freedom, the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was assassinated.
Two and a half years later, another giant of the freedom struggle and the only one with the stature to challenge the prime minister, his deputy Sardar Patel, passed away.
With these deaths, Nehru could have very well assumed unlimited power.
There was no one to challenge his authority had he chosen to misuse it.
And yet, he himself was such a convinced democrat, profoundly wary of the risks of autocracy, that at the crest of his rise he authored an anonymous article warning Indians of the dangers of giving dictatorial temptations to Jawaharlal.
"He must be checked," he wrote of himself. "We want no Caesars."
Denne historien er fra December 13, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express Thrissur.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 13, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express Thrissur.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ro, a massive hit as captain leads change in culture
WHEN Rohit Sharma was given the keys to India's cricketing kingdom following a below-par 2021 T20 World Cup campaign, it came with a significant caveat.
Top American health agency makes $25,000 buyout offer to 80K staffers
MOST of the 80,000 federal workers responsible for researching diseases, inspecting food and administering Medicare and Medicaid under the auspices of the Health and Human Services Department were emailed an offer to leave their job for as much as a $25,000 payment as part of President Donald Trump's government cuts.
SGBs: Things to do for early redemption
Since gold prices may move higher, investors who can remain invested in Sovereign Gold Bonds will be benefitted
Eating disorders among 6-18 age group on rise, situation alarming: Doc
WHILE such cases are more common in Western countries, experts warn that India, particularly Kerala, is witnessing a rise in similar instances mainly due to unrealistic body standards propagated by social media.
No deviation from LDF policy, says Pinarayi
THERE is no policy deviation in the CPM document 'A New Way for Nava Kerala' from that of the LDF, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday.
US ends Iraq's waiver to buy power from Iran
THE United States has declined to renew a waiver that had allowed Iraq to buy electricity from Iran without running afoul of sanctions, a US official said on Sunday.
State eyes women-friendly tourism model
\"THE KERALA government aims to establish the state as a global model for women-friendly tourism,\" said P A Mohammed Riyas, Minister for Tourism and Public Works.
'Despicable': MEA calls for action over vandalism at Hindu temple in US
INDIA has strongly condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple in California, with External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal calling the attack \"despicable\" and urging local authorities to take strict action against those responsible.
Maiyan aid for 112 women diverted to Ranchi man's account, case filed
IN another controversy surrounding the Jharkhand government's Maiyan Samman Yojana, the financial assistance intended for 112 women were allegedly diverted to the bank account of a man in Tamar of Ranchi.
Tame Volatility for Creating Wealth
Investing in a volatile market can feel like navigating a storm, but with the right strategies, you can manage risks and even find opportunities.