The younger generation of this country has a special responsibility in this regard. This generation is being brought up in a new atmosphere. They have their pride and prejudice; but I must say that they are a patriotic lot. I am not one who claims that the generation of freedom fighters alone was patriotic. That generation did what was essential. Nothing can be more shameful than to live under foreign domination. Naturally, that generation struggled to overthrow that yoke. But the courage and bravery displayed by the younger generation during the crisis, the total abandon with which they sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country, speak volumes of their sense of patriotism. There must also be the realisation that the problems before the younger generation are more serious and more complicated. The task of assigning priorities has become more complex over the years. I am explaining this background only to make it slightly easy for you to draw your own conclusions. The first and the foremost requirement would be to promote national unity and integrity. This is to be accepted by all the citizens of the country, particularly the youth. Our neighbours must also realise that we have become one nation in the truest sense of the word. One way would be to experience integration in our day-to-day life. Another would be to show that however serious may be an economic problem or a crisis, we are determined to tackle it unitedly. I am aware that this is an extremely difficult task and that in the years to come our patriotism will be on test in achieving this goal.
During the last four years this country experienced a series of crises. We lost the leadership under which the country had grown in the post-independence period. We lost Jawaharlalji. After that we had another leader who rose to great heights — I am speaking about Shastriji. Unfortunately, we lost him also within a short period of 18 months. Many countries in the world —not only China and Pakistan — had thought that after Jawaharlalji India will not remain as a nation or at least democracy will not survive here. These people did not realise that the people of India are creating a new history and that they are resolved to build up a new India. I was in the USA at the time of Jawaharlalji's fatal illness. I remember that in all the private discussions with different leaders, the end question would inevitably be "After Nehru Who?" They were not so much concerned about the reply in terms of personalities. Their main concern was about the survival of democracy in this country. They were under the impression that democracy is surviving here solely due to Jawaharlalji. I have had the greatest regard for Nehruji. You are also aware what torment I had to experience at the time of formation of Maharashtra for supporting his leadership. But I never believed, and I do not believe it today also, that democracy is alive in this country merely due to one particular leader, however great he may have been. The democracy has survived after Nehru. Even after the death of our second Prime Minister, there was never any threat to the democracy. This, in a way, is a great victory for the people of India.
