Let not out brethren across the border feel that they are neglected or forgotten. Their welfare will claim our vigilance and we shall follow with abiding interest their future in full hope and confidence that sooner than later we shall again be united in common allegiance to our country.
I send my best witness and greetings to the readers of Free Press Journal on the Independence Day. Today when we are witnessing the fulfillment of our life’s ambition and participating in the victory that has crowned the nation’s struggle for freedom, it is our first duty to pay homage to the memory of those whose sacrifices has contributed so much to this glorious conclusion of that struggle. Let the nation honour their memory in the rejoicing which freedom has brought in its train.
For us the fortunate ones who lived to see this day, the hour is one both of pride and glory. We are proud to have brought India to its goal and to acclaim the glorious results achieved by long-sustained peaceful and non-violent struggle under Gandhiji’s inspiring leadership. Although it must be acknowledged that the goal we have reached is not the goal we have had set out for there is not the least doubt that there is nothing now to prevent us from moulding the future of India in the manner we like. It is our glory that we are free to share the fruits of the struggle with every man, woman and child in this vast subcontinent.
Our Duty: Let us not forget, however, in the joy of the hour, the stupendous responsibilities and obligations its freedom has brought in its wake. Our primary duty is jealousy to guard our freedom against dangers from without and from within. We have also to ensure that the humblest among us has the same stature as the tallest in the land, that labour gets its legitimate share of its product, that the toiling millions in villages obtain, just return for the sweat of their brow, and that the State discharges adequately its elementary duty of feeding, clothing, housing and educating every son and daughter of the motherland.
It has now been given to us by providence to fashion our country’s destiny according to our cherished ideals and aspirations. If we fail the Motherland, the blame will not lie at other’s doors. Indeed there are enormous difficulties and almost inseparable obstacles in our way, but it for us to overcome them.
Giving a helping hand: We ask all our countrymen to lend us a helping hand in this gigantic task. The duty is too sacred to be profaned by selfish scrambles, internecine, dissensions, and narrow prejudices; the responsibilities are too great to be slighted by obstructive tactics or prejudiced by subversive activities. Many a wound of this fair country remains to be healed; many an anguished soul requires to be comforted. In this humanitarian and national endeavour, none can afford either to withhold cooperation or to refuse goodwill. All of us must offer our best in this joint undertaking.
Our hearts naturally go out to those who were of us and with us so long but who are now to be separated. Few can realize the bitterness and sorrow which partition has brought to those who cherished unity but lived to fashion its details. But let not out brethren across the border feel that they are neglected or forgotten. Their welfare will claim our vigilance and we shall follow with abiding interest their future in full hope and confidence that sooner than later we shall again be united in common allegiance to our country.
It is in this spirit and faith that we must dedicate ourselves this day afresh to the nation and invite all our countrymen to do the same
