Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Of Nehru & Edwina

The interview given by Lady Pamela Hicks, Earl Mountbatten’s daughter, does not say anything new, except creating a bit of sensation. The only touchy point is the disclosure that Lord Mountbatten used his wife Edwina Mountbatten’s influence over Jawaharlal Nehru to convince him to refer the Kashmir issue to the U.N. It seems unconvincing because such an important decision could not have been taken in the cosy corner of a drawing room or study. It must have been a collective decision.

Kuldip Dosnjh,
Wellington

The knowledge of the more-than-close relationship between Lady Mountbatten and Nehru was in the public domain even in those days and is well documented. It was obvious that Lord Mountbatten was in a position to influence Nehru through his wife. Lady Pamela’s disclosure, therefore, only confirms what many believe. Sardar Patel tried his best to stop Nehru from referring the Kashmir issue to the U.N. but could not do so.

H.K. Seshadri,
Bangalore

Whether it was on Kashmir or Tibet, Nehru was susceptible to influences. He was fond of western culture, an international image, and Kashmir, the land of his forefathers, which he thought should belong to all. Had Gandhiji anointed the more pragmatic Sardar Patel as his heir and Nehru as Foreign Minister, the country would have been rid of many burning problems.

H.R. Ramesh,
Tumkur

The news of the relationship that existed between Nehru and Edwina is nothing new. Shashi Tharoor refers to it in his work The Great Indian Novel. It cannot be treated as a personal affair becau se Nehru was not a private individual but the all powerful Prime Minister of independent India till 1964.

Dominic Ayyanikkatt,
Karur

It was rather unethical on the part of the interviewer to probe deep into the personal relationship that existed between Nehru and Edwina. Portraying an outstanding statesman of international repute as one who could be influenced by a woman is in bad taste. The contributory aspect of their relationship could have been highlighted adding to the value of the interview.

T.V. Ramamurthy,
Chennai

It is obvious from the questions that Karan Thapar was desperately trying to make Lady Pamela say what he wanted to hear, rather than discuss what she had said in the book. The matter has been blown out of proportion.

Gowri Shankar Ranganathan,
Chennai

The interview with Lady Pamela is irrelevant. It is hardly a way of understanding the political history of the country and Nehru. A better way to understand Nehru would be to reproduce the tribute paid by poet Sarojini Naidu (on Nehru’s 50th birthday): “I do not think that personal happiness, comfort, leisure, wealth can have much place in your life. Sorrow, suffering, anguish, strife, yes, these are the pre-destined gifts of life for you ... You are a man of destiny born to be alone in the midst of crowds — deeply loved, but little understood.”

N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai

According to Lady Pamela, a large part of Nehru’s letters to Edwina were about his disappointments or hopes and “all his idealism coming out for the extraordinary time of India at her rebirth in history ...” Let us appreciate the significance of the letters from a historical perspective.

Letter-writing has been used by many as an effective means to express and share their views. Nehru’s ability in this regard needs no proof, his letters to daughter Indira being a lasting literary piece. Any attempt to sensationalise the latest issue would amount to crass commercialism and downright disservice to the country and its greatest architect!

Vijayalakshmi Viswanathan,
Chennai

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