The Hindu : dated January 28, 1954: Hard Work the Only Way to Greatness

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - This Day That Age

dated January 28, 1954: Hard Work the Only Way to Greatness

Madras Chief Minister Mr. Rajagopalachari appealed to the people to resolve solemnly to work hard to increase the wealth of India. He was addressing a mammoth gathering assembled in the evening of the 26th, at the Congress grounds, to celebrate Republic Day. The citizens had earlier observed the Day with spontaneous enthusiasm. At the public meeting, Mr. Lakshmipathi Raju of Pazhani, regretted that a group of people in Tamizhnadu tried to undermine the freedom of the country and the religious culture of the people, by misusing freedom of speech. Mr. R. Venkataraman wanted Republic Day celebrated by all people irrespective of party affiliation. Some people had not yet grasped the full significance of the Republican Constitution of India. In five years, from 1950, India had made rapid strides. But the people had to become as duty-conscious as the people of other countries. During the freedom struggle, emphasis was placed on demanding rights. Now it was time to realise their duties in a free India. Only by performing one's duties, could the country be made prosperous, he said.

Mr. Rajagopalachari received a tremendous ovation on rising to speak. He recalled how the Congress had grown from strength to strength. In the early days, joining the Congress was like getting into a car knowing it would crash before reaching journey's end. It had required courage to join the Congress then. Thereafter, people with devotion joined it, followed by people imbued with a spirit of service. Later came those, who thought it would be good for them to become Congressmen. Mr. Raju had said that freedom of expression ought to have been allowed only after people had been trained to be conscious of their duties. Even he (Rajaji) found abusive speeches and writings intolerable. But real greatness lay, not in getting angry, but in tolerance. To curtail freedom of expression would be taking back a right conferred on all with full knowledge that some were likely to abuse it. They could manage the affairs of the country by denying freedom of expression. They could also manage things, in spite of some people abusing that freedom. The latter method, though difficult, was best in the lasting interests of the country and democracy. In some countries restraint was imposed on the people by Government. In countries like Britain, the people were wise, and voluntarily imposed restraint on themselves. He had faith that those who misused the freedom guaranteed by the Constitution would realise their mistake sooner or later. Rajaji observed further, "We must learn to control our anger and speak with caution. If we allow anger to get the better of us, we will be acting in a manner directly opposed to Gandhiji's teachings, and hurt our infant democracy. No doubt, there is poverty in the country. But, being too near the scene we are able to see only the poverty, and not the progress made all round. People outside India see the progress we are making at rapid pace. Work is the key to greatness. If all of us, the 360 millions of India, put in hard manual labour, India will become strong. Either all of us put in hard work and grow great or we become beggars, and perish."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News Update

Stories in this Section

Cartoon

The Hindu Crossword No. 7891

Solution to puzzle No. 7890

Role of God's grace

dated January 28, 1954: Hard Work the Only Way to Greatness

Weather