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dated December 11, 1956: Nehru on Second Plan

Prime Minister Nehru has emphasised the importance of a democratic approach in the implementation of the Second Plan and the need to secure the enthusiastic support of all people for its successful execution. Inaugurating the first meeting of the panel of scientists, set up by the Planning Commission, at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on December 10, he said they should all set before themselves a broad picture of the objectives of the Plan. It could not necessarily be a rigid picture because life was far too complicated to fit into any rigid objective or set pattern. They should keep their minds flexible and learn by experience gained by themselves and by others. India was a democratic country. In three months' time the country was going to have elections. The Planning Commission and the scientists would have nothing to do with the elections except as individuals. Mr. Nehru said that he mentioned the elections in the context of the importance of carrying the people in whatever programme they might set before themselves in the task of building the nation. It was essential that they should convey to the people what they had in their minds and get to understand what the people had in their minds and try to co-ordinate the two and secure their enthusiastic cooperation. "It is important that even the peasant in the field should appreciate what we are doing and welcome it and tell us in his own sphere whether he considers what we are doing is right."

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