Journey Og A Nation

-- Journey Of A Nation ; Published by Academic Foundation ; Pages 306 ; Price Rs 2995/-

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Shri.M.V.Kamath, in one ofhis recent reviews described the book as “unputdownable.”. The book under review is unarguably one such book. It records the 125 yearsof the Indian National Congress. Dr.Pattabhi Sitaramayya, the pioneer biographer of the Congress wrote perceptively “Great movements are like great rivers—they start as small streams, but if the cause is great, they draw to themselves many streams, joining together to achieve and reach their destination.” The Congress met for the first time with only seventy-two people in Bombay on 28th December, 1885. It went on to challenge the mightiest empire of the time, using the slogan of peace and the method of non-violence.

This volume is afascinating record of the struggle for freedom told in admirably precise fashion, rich in rare photographs and archival material of the highest value. What the reader gets is a bird’s eye-view of the tumultuousjourney of a nation. Production values are of the highest quality and Academic Foundation has walked an extra mile to make the journey a pleasure to behold. Special boxes in light colour give photographs and sketches of all Congress Presidents. Important documents and press notices are reproduced.

The book is divided into nine sections. The first section “The Formative Years—1885—1920” deals lucidly with the birth of a new party led by men and women of extraordinary courage, commitment culminating in India’s freedom . Covered are the impact of Dadabhai Naoroji’s “Poverty and Unbritish Rule”, the role of Gokhale, Tilak, the split inSurat, the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Section Two entitled “The Gandhian Era” relates to the period 1920-1935 We are privy to Gandhi’s struggles , the Simon Commission, the Round Table Conference, the Dandi March . The section also covers the ascent of Jawaharlal Nehru .

The next Section deals with the years 1935—1947. Important events analysed are the Government of India Act, the Congress Ministries, the emergence of Jinnah and the strident demand by the Muslims for creation of Pakistan, Cripps Mission, Quit India Movement, the Cabinet Mission, the Wavell and Mountbatten plans and finally Independence,

Section Four deals with the years 1947 to 1964 . The highlights are the tragic partition, the communal riots, the integration ofprincely states, the framing of our own Constitution. Nehru inaugurated an era of planning, built a chain oflaboratories, constructed a number of dams—which he called “The Temples of Modern India”. He made “Non-alignment” an acceptable philosophy.

The next Section analyses the Congress party’s role from 1964 to 1994. Nehru was succeeded by Lal Bahadur Shastri. India was embroiled in a war with Pakistan. Shastri died and was followed by Indira Gandhi who was Prime Minister for 15 years—in two terms. She nationalized 14 major banks, abolished privy purses. The 1971 war withPakistan transformed her into “Durga” and led to creation of Bangladesh. Followed the Shimla Agreement. Pokhran nuclear tests, She declared Emergency after a court order disqualified her, leading on to her defeat in the 1977 elections. The Janata government and the 1980 elections swept her back to power. “Operation Bluestar” led to her assassination.

The remaining Sections dwell on the Rajiv Gandhi era. He introduced computerization, brought peace to Punjab,Assam and Mizoram. The Bofors deal and internal party dissensions led to fresh general elections. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by the LTTE agents. The book recalls the advent of P.V.Narasimha Rao and economic reforms initiated by Manmohan Singh. The destruction of Babri Masjid caused turmoil in the country. Sonia Gandhi became Congress President. The BJP led NDA was in power from 1998—2004.The Godhra massacre followed by riots are dealt with. The coalition government led by Manmohan Singh followed. The last Section lays down the Agenda for the future which is “inclusive growth”. “This volume is both a remembrance of things past and acommemoration of the long journey the Indian National Congress has traveled.”

This is volume to cherish and read by all students, politicians of every hue and disciples of history. The book is a tour de’ force—an achievement and accomplishment.

P.P.Ramachandran.