dated October 31, 1951: Delhi Public Library Inaugurated

(there being no issue on the 30th)

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Delhi Public Library set up by the Education Ministry with the help of UNESCO. It was the first unit of a pilot project for public libraries of its kind in the world envisaged by UNESCO as part of a campaign to spread social education among adults newly made literate. Mr. Nehru, a great lover of books and an author himself, used the occasion to stress the need for an emotional approach to gain the co-operation of the common man in India, and make him a partner in the developing of a new, vibrant nation. ``We forget,'' he said, ``that by an emotional approach we can gain appreciation of the common man working in field, factory, or wherever. Without such an approach, we cannot get the full-blooded co-operation of the people that is necessary in every great undertaking. By `we,' I mean those of us who are somewhat more fortunately circumstanced. We live in a different world from the world of the common man - worker or peasant. We sympathise with him and we help him, but we do not really understand him. ... I do hope that the library started today will not be a mere collection of books. Libraries must be part of our efforts to understand emotionally the problems of the common man, and to create a close relationship between those who form the millions of India, and the rest of us.'' Referring to the basic purpose of education, the Prime Minister observed that teaching a person merely to read or write was not enough; every person taught to read and write had to be given due opportunity to gain more knowledge, widen his perspective, and benefit intellectually and in other ways from what he learnt.

Reactions to Tory Win In Britain

In the United States satisfaction was felt that Mr. Winston Churchill would be at the helm again. But that feeling was tempered by disappointment that the Tories commanded but a slim majority, which meant that they were likely constantly to be operating under fear that if they initiated any unpopular measure their government would be defeated by a snap vote. Referring to Indian reaction, The Times wrote there was frank disappointment at Labour's departure, but that Indians would soon realise that all parties in Britain desired to preserve the basis of the British Commonwealth as an association of nations in free partnership with each other.''

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