NEHRU SOME MEMORIES Arnold J.

Toynbee

Introduction:
In this prose piece, the author brings out the humane characteristics in Nehru. The
experiences that the author narrates show how Nehru believed in love of fellow humanity,
through three meetings. A.J. Toynbee was much impressed by Nehrus personality and the
way in which he endeared himself to everyone. The author also shows how Nehru reacted in
a refined manner and adjusted himself in difficult situations. As a great leader, he still had
the time to be with Toynbee.

Captivator of hearts:
Toynbee did not know Nehru intimately and had met only a few times. From his account one
can get vivid glimpse of Nehrus personality. Nehru did not impress people but charmed
their hearts. Though he was a very important public figure he never felt self important. In
spite of the responsible of his position he remained a humane person.

First meeting:
The first meeting of Toynbee and Nehru occurred before Indias becoming free from British
rules. Nehru had come to England after a term of imprisonment in India for his political
activities. The author had been invited by an English Lady to lunch and to meet Nehru.
When the author went, Nehru had already arrived. When the next guest arrived it was
something unexpected. It was a British General in uniform. On seeing Nehru the General
seemed shocked.
Toynbee watched the scene with some curiosity. He wanted to see how Nehru reacted.
Toynbee was wondering what Nehru would do and say now. A new light came in Nehrus
eyes and he began to tease the General very gently and the General got nervous and wanted
to please Nehru by all means. Nehru was enjoying the fun to the full. Toynbee observes
Nehru had the quality of fighting without hating.


Second meeting:
Toynbee remembers yet another incident very well. In 1957, the Delhi University arranged a
special convocation to confer a degree of Toynbee. Caught in a traffic jam, Toynbee was away
from the university campus when it was three quarters of an hour past the appointed hour.
Toynbee was surprised to see Nehru himself coming running towards him wondering why he
was late. Toynbee wondered how an important person like Prime Minister Nehru could find
time to take part in the university proceedings. He felt ashamed for wasting Nehrus precious
time.

Final meeting:
It was in 1960 that Toynbee met Nehru for the last time. Nehru has asked Toynbee to visit
him. It was a difficult period in Indian history with Indias strained relationship with China.
As a responsible Prime Minister Nehru was worried over this. Toynbee thought he should
discreetly keep off the subject. It proved impossible.

Toynbee was to give certain lectures in New Delhi and when he rose up to speak he was
surprised to find Nehru entering the hall to listen. He wondered how an important person
like Nehru could find time to do such things. Later, when he learnt that Nehru had come to
the lecture on the day he had received the shocking news of the death of a dear friend of his,
Lady Mountbatten, Toynbee was deeply moved.

Conclusion:
Toynbee finally says that Jawaharlal Nehru is evidently a representative of the type that
moves mankind, not by coercion, but by persuasion. And he names Emperor Asoka,
Rammohan Roy, and Gandhi are deserve to be remembered for ever and to be immortalized.