3 Review(s)

Part of the Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru series, this volume includes lectures, writings, letters, speeches, and other literary works of Nehru, covering three months of his Prime Ministership, from 1 January to 31 March 1958. It reveals his wide range of interests in both national and international affairs. The first chapter mainly deals with Nehru's approach on areas like the role of the youth, rural development, and social change. The second discusses issues of national progress more particularly his views on economy (industry and labour, food, and agriculture); education and culture; language issues; science and technology; and social issues. An important test for Nehru's leadership came in the form of the infamous LIC scandal called 'The Mundhra Affair' leading to the resignation of the finance minister. The third chapter reflects Nehru's concern on the inquiry into the incident and the role of the attorney general. Issues of governance-general administration, services and appointments, citizenship, refugees and rehabilitation both at the central and state level inform the fifth chapter. The next two chapters deal with issues of defence and parliamentary and constitutional matters respectively. Chapter seven concerns with the Indian National Congress, particularly the Guwahati Session and the organizational matters. The states of Kashmir and Sikkim form the basis of chapters eight and nine respectively. Peace and disarmament were topmost of Nehru's agenda during this period and the large section is devoted to external affairs and foreign relations. Towards the end, the volume discusses issues like Nehru's interaction with the press; his letters to the chief ministers, and some miscellaneous information.