"The Light Has Gone Out" by Jawaharlal Nehru

-

 




"The Light Has Gone Out" is a speech delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, on January 30th, 1948, following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. This brief but emotional speech was broadcast on All India Radio, and Nehru expressed the grief and sorrow felt by the entire nation after Gandhi's untimely death. 


Summary:

Jawaharlal Nehru’s "The Light Has Gone Out" speech is a poignant expression of grief over the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, but it is also a powerful reminder of Gandhi’s enduring legacy. Nehru encourages the people of India to honor Gandhi’s memory by staying true to the values of non-violence, unity, and peace that Gandhi championed throughout his life.

   Nehru begins the speech by announcing to the nation that Mahatma Gandhi has been assassinated. He acknowledges the difficulty of finding words to describe the immense loss, saying that India and the world have lost a man who symbolized peace, love, and the fight for justice.

 Nehru famously says, “The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere.” This powerful metaphor illustrates the profound sense of loss and despair. For Nehru, and many in India, Gandhi was a guiding light, a moral beacon who had led the country through the struggle for independence and had preached non-violence and truth as core principles.

Even though Nehru says that the light has gone out, he immediately reassures the people by emphasizing that the light that was Gandhi’s spirit will continue to shine. He expresses hope that even though Gandhi is physically no longer with them, his ideas, values, and teachings will endure. The principles of truth, non-violence, and love that Gandhi stood for will continue to inspire generations.

 Nehru calls on the people of India to remain united and strong during this tragic moment. He urges them to carry on Gandhi’s legacy and continue working for the country’s progress, emphasizing that they must not give in to despair or allow Gandhi’s ideals to fade. Nehru's appeal is both emotional and practical, reminding the nation that the best way to honor Gandhi is by adhering to the values he lived for.

 Nehru acknowledges that while the loss is devastating, they should be grateful for having had Gandhi in their lives for so long. He speaks of the immense influence Gandhi had not only on India but on the world, and how his teachings of peace, love, and non-violence had left an indelible mark on humanity.

Throughout the speech, Nehru’s tone is emotional, reflecting the deep sense of personal loss he feels. At the same time, it is filled with admiration and reverence for Gandhi’s life and work. Nehru's speech is an effort to channel the nation’s grief into a constructive path, reminding the people that Gandhi’s ideals should not die with him.

Themes:

  • Grief and Loss: Nehru captures the profound sorrow of the nation at the death of Mahatma Gandhi, describing it as a moment of darkness.

  • Legacy of Gandhi: Nehru emphasizes that while Gandhi is gone, his ideals of truth, non-violence, and justice will continue to live on and guide the nation.

  • Hope and Unity: Despite the overwhelming loss, Nehru calls for unity, strength, and the continuation of Gandhi’s work, reminding the people that they must not succumb to despair.

  • Moral Leadership: Nehru sees Gandhi as a moral leader whose life has set a standard for the world to follow, a figure whose legacy extends beyond India.

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Boy Who Broke The Bank by Ruskin Bond

-
Image
The Boy Who Broke The Bank by Ruskin Bond Text of the Story  Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth Govind Ram. He used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the dust, after rising in a cloud above his head settled down again on the steps.  As Nathu was banging his pan against a dustbin, Sitaram, the washerman’s son, passed by. Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head. ‘Don’t raise such dust!’ he called out to Nathu. ‘Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?’ ‘I don’t wish to talk about it,’ complained the sweeper-boy. ‘I haven’t even received my regular pay.  And this is the twentieth of the month. Who would think a bank would hold up a poor man’s salary? As soon as I get my money, I’m off! Not another week I work in this place.’ And Nathu banged the pan against the dustbin several times, just to emphasize hi...
Read more

"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka

-
Image
  "Telephone Conversation"                                                                   Wole Soyinka   The price seemed reasonable, location Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived Off premises. Nothing remained But self-confession. "Madam," I warned, "I hate a wasted journey--I am African." Silence. Silenced transmission of Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came, Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was foully. "HOW DARK?" . . . I had not misheard . . . "ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK?" Button B, Button A. *  Stench Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak. Red booth. Red pillar box. Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar. It  was  real! Shamed By ill-mannered silence, surrender Pushed dumbfounded to beg simplification. Considerate she was, varying t...
Read more

Group discussion : types, merits and demerits.

-
 Group discussion is when a group of people comes together to discuss a certain topic that involves  sharing ideas or activities. Group Discussion is a combination of two words 'Group' and 'Discussion.'  Group A group means many people are working together to achieve some targets. The performance of a group depends on the collaborative work of the individuals. The team of three or more than three people is considered as a group. Discussion Discussion means exchanging ideas between two or more than two people, which is generally a face-to-face interaction. It is a process of talking between people to reach a specific decision. It is also defined as a conversation about a specific topic. The result or end product of group discussion can be a particular decision, enhanced knowledge, actions, an argument, doubt-clearing, disagreement, etc. Types of Group discussions are:  Factual Group Discussions Opinion-Based Group Discussion Group conversations based on case studies A...
Read more