What did Nehru say in his speech from 1959?
PM Modi referred to two speeches by Nehru and Indira Gandhi delivered from the Red Fort on Independence Day. Quoting Nehru’s 1959 Independence Day speech, PM Modi disclosed, “Indians generally do not have the habit of working very hard, we do not work as much as the people of Europe or Japan or China or Russia or America.” This statement suggested Nehru’s belief that Indians were lazy and less intelligent compared to other nations.
What did Indira Gandhi say in her speech from 1974?
The Prime Minister also cited Indira Gandhi’s 1974 speech, where she addressed the complacency and defeatist attitude prevailing in India. Indira Gandhi expressed concern about people becoming complacent when a task was about to be completed and losing hope in the face of difficulties. PM Modi remarked that looking at the present state of the Congress party, he believes Indira’s assessment was accurate about them but perhaps not about the Indian populace.
Did Nehru actually call Indian’s lazy? Examining Nehru’s 1959 speech, it becomes apparent that he urged Indians to be more self-reliant and work hard for progress. “In India, the habit to work very hard is not very common. It is not our fault, habits form due to incidents. But the fact is we don’t work as hard as people in Europe or Japan or China or Russia do,” Nehru had stated. PM Modi’s revelation sheds light on Nehru’s concern about the work ethic in India.Indira Gandhi, in 1974, spoke about addressing societal ills without resorting to violence or protests. She expressed disappointment over the complacency and defeatist attitude that often prevailed in the country. Her call was for individuals to play their part in fostering positive change, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith in the future of the nation.
What was PM Modi’s critique?
PM Modi, in his critique, asserted that the Congress leaders, including Nehru and Indira Gandhi, did not trust the capabilities of the Indian people. He accused them of considering themselves rulers and viewing the public as lesser. This perception, according to PM Modi, still persists within the Congress party.
The revelations made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Nehru’s views on the Indian work ethic have ignited discussions about historical perspectives. While Nehru’s 1959 speech emphasized the need for self-reliance and hard work, the Congress party’s current state prompts reflections on the accuracy of Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s assessments. This revelation raises questions about the perception of Indians as lazy and lacking in intelligence, providing a unique insight into the historical discourse on the work ethic in India.
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