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dated December 3, 1957: Commonwealth bond

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference was inaugurated in New Delhi on December 2 by President Rajendra Prasad at a colourful function held in the Central Hall of Parliament House. Nearly 100 delegates from the Commonwealth countries are attending the session. India, Pakistan and Ceylon are the joint hosts. Dr. Rajendra Prasad said that the Commonwealth was an association of nations out of their free will, and that they should do nothing to weaken it. Prime Minister Nehru, speaking at the session, referred to the stress and strain which the Commonwealth had undergone, and said that differences should not stand in the way of the countries meeting and consulting each other. Democracy was peaceful co-existence of not only those who were alike, but also others who were unlike. In his inaugural address President Rajendra Prasad stressed the need for promoting “cross-fertilisation of ideas” between the older and younger Parliaments of the world for strengthening democracy. He hoped that the present conference would be fruitful in achieving such a result. Dr. Rajendra Prasad called for the strengthening of the bond between the countries of the Commonwealth. Amidst cheers, he declared: “That bond is not based on force. It is a silken bond, which is invisible but none the less strong”.

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