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From subjection to freedom: Nehru’s freedom day message
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India’s PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake
On the eve of Sri Lanka, or Ceylon as it was then known, regaining its freedom and independence after 150 years of British colonial rule and 443 years of colonial subjection, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, sent his greetings to the people of
Sri Lanka through a letter addressed to Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake.
As Sri Lanka marks its 77th year of independence on February 4, we publish today the content of the letter titled “From Subjection to Freedom”:
A CHANGE is coming over the face of Asia, the mother of continents. Through heavy sorrow and travail she is lifting herself from subjection to freedom and independence. The process has seemed slow to us, but looking at it in the perspective of history, it is fast enough.
In Indonesia freedom, often assailed and surrounded by danger, is now firmly planted and must grow and spread. In India, the 15th August saw a great and historic change. Burma, three weeks ago, declared her independence and we rejoiced with her on that great occasion.
And now comes the turn of Ceylon or Lanka of ancient fame. No country can rejoice more at this change than India which has been and is like an elder brother to Lanka. Geography, tradition, culture, religion and economic interest all combine to bring Lanka and India close to one another. Those bonds have existed in the past and in the new freedom they will undoubtedly grow.
India and Ceylon stand in the centre of Southern Asia. The wide-flung Indian Ocean washes their shores. Great trade routes pass by them or across them. Inevitably there is going to be a closer union of these countries of Southern Asia, more specially of South East Asia. So we look forward not only to a closer union of India and Ceylon but also of the other countries in Southern Asia, and of common ideals and common objectives furthering peace and freedom in the world.
On this occasion, I send my greetings to the people of Ceylon and salute the freedom that they have achieved.
Jawaharlal Nehru
New Delhi
23-1-1948
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