The values upheld by freedom fighter and India’s last Governor-General C. Rajagopalachari are still relevant today, former National Security Advisor and Governor of West Bengal M.K. Narayanan said.
Addressing a gathering on Relevance of Rajaji Today at Bhavan’s Rajaji International Institute of Public Affairs and Administration here on Saturday, Mr. Narayanan explained the rationale behind several decisions taken by ‘Rajaji’, propagating pluralism with conviction. Presenting a glimpse of history around the time of the partition, he recalled that Rajaji always wanted India to be firm in its foreign relations, even trying to convince Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah that the country should remain united.
“He was a moderate, and yet a conservative,” Mr. Narayanan said, referring to the rationale behind Rajaji leaving the Congress and establishing the Swatanatra Party, adding that the values and practices of Rajaji were relevant even today.
Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana E.S.L. Narasimhan appreciated the efforts of the institute in promoting the values of the legendary Rajaji, while also suggesting that it could diversify research into defence, strategic studies and international affairs.
He also asked the institute’s management to come up with research papers on various subjects and provide the government with valuable inputs.
