The Costs of Narrow Nationalism

After taking charge in August 1947 as India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, began writing fortnightly letters to the chief ministers of the Indian Union. In these communiqués—at times persuasive, at others brimming with command—Nehru discusses the emerging blueprint for a young republic. Here is an edited excerpt of one such missive dated 20 September 1953.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

My dear Chief Ministers,