NEHRU – SOME MEMORIES Arnold J. Toynbee

Introduction:
In this prose piece, the author brings out the humane characteristics in Nehru. The experiences that the author narrates show how Nehru believed in love of fellow humanity, through three meetings. A.J. Toynbee was much impressed by Nehru’s personality and the way in which he endeared himself to everyone. The author also shows how Nehru reacted in a refined manner and adjusted himself in difficult situations. As a great leader, he still had the time to be with Toynbee.

Captivator of hearts:
Toynbee did not know Nehru intimately and had met only a few times. From his account one can get vivid glimpse of Nehru’s personality. Nehru did not impress people but charmed their hearts. Though he was a very important public figure he never felt self – important. In spite of the responsible of his position he remained a humane person.

First meeting:
The first meeting of Toynbee and Nehru occurred before India’s becoming free from British rules. Nehru had come to England after a term of imprisonment in India for his political activities. The author had been invited by an English Lady to lunch and to meet Nehru. When the author went, Nehru had already arrived. When the next guest arrived it was something unexpected. It was a British General in uniform. On seeing Nehru the General seemed shocked.
Toynbee watched the scene with some curiosity. He wanted to see how Nehru reacted. Toynbee was wondering what Nehru would do and say now. A new light came in Nehru’s eyes and he began to tease the General very gently and the General got nervous and wanted to please Nehru by all means. Nehru was enjoying the fun to the full. Toynbee observes Nehru had the quality of fighting without hating.


Second meeting:
Toynbee remembers yet another incident very well. In 1957, the Delhi University arranged a special convocation to confer a degree of Toynbee. Caught in a traffic jam, Toynbee was away from the university campus when it was three quarters of an hour past the appointed hour. Toynbee was surprised to see Nehru himself coming running towards him wondering why he was late. Toynbee wondered how an important person like Prime Minister Nehru could find time to take part in the university proceedings. He felt ashamed for wasting Nehru’s precious time.

Final meeting:
It was in 1960 that Toynbee met Nehru for the last time. Nehru has asked Toynbee to visit him. It was a difficult period in Indian history with India’s strained relationship with China. As a responsible Prime Minister Nehru was worried over this. Toynbee thought he should discreetly keep off the subject. It proved impossible.

Toynbee was to give certain lectures in New Delhi and when he rose up to speak he was surprised to find Nehru entering the hall to listen. He wondered how an important person like Nehru could find time to do such things. Later, when he learnt that Nehru had come to the lecture on the day he had received the shocking news of the death of a dear friend of his, Lady Mountbatten, Toynbee was deeply moved.

Conclusion:
Toynbee finally says that Jawaharlal Nehru “is evidently a representative of the type that moves mankind, not by coercion, but by persuasion”. And he names Emperor Asoka, Rammohan Roy, and Gandhi are deserve to be remembered for ever and to be immortalized.