Letters for a Nation Quotes

“We must remember that what our governments are doing today will set the tone for future administrations. The very powers that may be exercised, perhaps for adequate reasons today, may be exercised later for totally inadequate and perhaps even for objectionable reasons. It is always unsafe to weaken on principles.”
― Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963

“But, after all, no safeguards are adequate, unless the will to give effect to them fully is present.”
― Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963

“But if we go in for reservations on communal and caste basis, we swamp the bright and able people and remain second-rate or third-rate. I am grieved to learn of how far this business of reservation has gone based on communal considerations. It has amazed me to learn that even promotions are based sometimes on communal or caste considerations. This way lies not only folly, but disaster. Let us help the backward groups by all means, but never at the cost of efficiency.”
― Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963

“But it is distressing that any organisation consisting of large numbers of young men, should be so utterly little minded and lacking in not only vision but in commonsense or common understanding. The R.S.S. is typical in this respect of the type of organisation that grew up in various parts of Europe in support of fascism. . . .”
― Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963

“whatever happens in Pakistan, quite clearly our task in India is clear; we must pursue with even greater determination than in the past our efforts at forming a secular State in which men of all communities can walk with their heads high.”
― Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963

“We talk of high philosophies and our ancient greatness but act in narrow grooves and show intolerance to our neighbour. These are basic questions for us to keep in mind, for our future depends on the answer that we give to them.”
― Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963

“produced. In any event, criticism and cavilling at minorities does not help. It is difficult to think of long-term policies when the situation is an ever-changing one. The only real long-term policy we can have is to consolidate India by making all the minorities in the”
― Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963