2 NEHRU – A.J.TOYNBEE

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 challenging situations. Though Nehru was 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 glimpses 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 his position he remained a humane person.

First meeting:
The first meeting of Toynbee and Nehru occurred before India attained independence. 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 curiosity. He wanted to see how Nehru would react. The author saw a twinkle 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 distinctly. In 1957, the Delhi University arranged a special convocation to confer a degree for 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 running towards him wondering why he was late. Toynbee wondered how a person holding an important position like Prime Ministership 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 had asked Toynbee to visit him. It was a grey 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. The efforts proved futile.

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