A few observations on the book "My Days with Nehru" by MO Mathai

Yesterday I finished reading the book "My Days With Nehru" by M O Mathai. He is also known as Mac, he was one of the intriguing and influential figure in the post independent India. He was born as a Syrian Christian, from Kerala, graduated from Madras university, with Economics and political science. Before joining Nehru, he had worked for US Army on Assam-Burma border and had good experience as PA for top officials in American Estate and also Bishops in Malabar church. In 1942 he was also on British pay roll in India. He was PM's special Assistance from 1946 to 1959. He enjoyed privileged access to Nehru's household and office, having managed the secretarial work of PM. He was made to resign in 1959 after serious allegations of misuse of power were made by Communist party. He wrote two books Remeniscences of Neru Age  and My Days With Nehru which were published in year 1978 &1979 respectively. These books were very controversial in those days. 

Natwar Singh in his autobiography, "One Life is Not Enough" has alleged that Mathai was a CIA agent. All this controversy surrounding these books made my urge to read stronger but I was not able to get them as they were out of publication. Finally after coming to US, I got to read both of them.

According to me I found nothing controversial and because of his proximity to the powers that be, and his free access to men and matters Mathai, could give an honest account of many personal and official issues, which are very interesting to read. His language and presentation skills were excellent. I would like to place before you, some of the topics he discussed. 

On the question of taking back or amending his claims about Shradha Mata (in his book "Reminiscences of the Nehru Age"), a tantric lady who he claimed had relationship with Nehru, he refused to change his stance on it. He shared interesting and personal details about Nehru, like how Nehru had the fascination for plants, birds and children and that Nehru used to give replies personally, send signed autographs to children.

Another topic was Astrology, it seems Dr Sampurnanand then CM of UP wrote to Nehru to stop making fun of it publicly, for which while replying Nehru said that it was not his intention to ridicule Astrology but it was dangerous thing for people to condition their mindset on the basis astrological predictions. And it was a surprise to know that Dr Rajendra Prasad and Gulzarilal Nanda were abject slaves of Astrology and Palmistry. He covered many such interesting facts and gave apt descriptions of personalities like Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, JB Kripalani, SK Patil, Dr BC Roy, MN Roy, SrinivasaIyegar and Saik Abdullah.

During his visit to Soviet Russia with the PM he discussed many issues like corruption and large number of beggars in the streets of Moscow. On corruption he says that corruption started when man appeared on earth and will end until life is extinguished in the planet. And that it is like diabetes, which can never be cured but can only be controlled. What I understood from the topic was, that the major cause of the phenomenal advance of the Soviet Union was the availability of immense natural resources of that vast country and not communism. He was of the opinion that Communism since the days of Marx has become largely out of date and certainly India's future depends on its vast natural resources, it's scientists, engineers, technical manpower and reasonably stable and competent Government dedicated for the welfare of the people and not communism.

 

A good deal of discussion is there on Subhash Chandra Bose, whose dedication to the country was total, and he had no commitment to any thing wider than nationalism- not even to socialism. As per this Bose even ridiculed Nehru of practicing sentimental politics. Bose was an ardent admirer of Swami Vivekananda. We must also take note of the fact however opposed to each other both Nehru and Bose, when the news of Bose's death in an aircraft accident in 1945 reached Nehru, he paid tributes to his old comrade of freedom struggle with tears rolling down his cheeks, as Bose emerged as a great patriot, no doubt with indomitable courage. There was an element of tragedy in destiny of Bose, but future generations will certainly remember him as India,s tragic hero of 20th century. 

Sanjay and Rajiv Gandhi also find a place in the book, and how Mathai was involved from their childhood also has been discussed. In Dr Sampurnanand's (CM Of UP) issue, it seems he had a look of a person who had walked out of pages of Sastras, well versed in Indian history and culture, but himself being a non Brahmin, but passionately believed that he was Brahmin by accomplishment.

JRD Tata, was only one industrialist, having excellent rapport with Nehru, but differences cropped up subsequently on some trivial issues. While discussing Administration on Nehru time, one important observation is that, one day Mr SK Patil went to ask him privately as to why PM was not encouraging any person or group of his colleagues to come up, and for this Mr Mathai's reply was that he might as well reconcile himself to the fact that nothing would grow under a banyan tree and same day when he went to Bombay, he blurted the same as if it is his own version. 

Another important thing mentioned was on Kashmir, wherein it is said that India shouldn't have taken the initiative to order a ceasefire, until the whole of the state recovered, unilateral offer of plebiscite at the time accession was a blunder and taking it UN was a serious lapse.

Mr Chester Bowls on 9th June 1996 said publicly that India made more progress in 18 years of its independence than in 200 years of British rule. However it also a fact that one's background as well as one's way of looking at things will colour one's judgement, for example when Gandhiji stood before Taj Mahal, he saw only forced labour, an American millionairess after visit to India 70 years ago told audience in New York that in Taj Mahal, about moonlight, while Smith a historian of Oxford and ex-ICS, official wrote that Taj Mahal was barbaric ostentation completely devoid of artistic merit.

The fact that Nehru had spent his life working for the great cause and suffered in process and was recognized as Gandhi's heir, had invested him with great moral authority. In Asia and Africa particularly he had become a symbol of man's quest for freedom and independence and being PM of politically great country with strategically important geographical position. All these compelled millions of people everywhere to listen to him in rapt attention. However the recent trends at considerably senior level, in Govt, show some denigration of Nehru, while eulogising Sardar Patel, and others who are also equally respectable, is not in good taste and does not auger well for our country if I have to call spade  a spade.

Looking at all these things, and many more I would suggest you all to read it once you are able to lay your hand on the book.