Dr.Chettiar's Correspondence

Letter from Pandid Jawaharlal Nehru

Prime Minister of India
Chairman
Indian Council of World Affairs

63/2 Daryasanj
Delhi

      30th July 1945

Dear Dr. Alagappa Chettiar,

The Executive Committee of the Indian Council of World Affairs has endorsed my suggestion of an Inter Asian Relations Conference, to be held early next year at Delhi or some other suitable place in India. The proposal has already had an encouraging response from prominent leaders in Syria, Indonesia, Burma and Ceylon The main object of the conference will be to exchange ideas regarding the common problem which all Asian countries must face in the post war era. The final agenda cannot be prepared in detail without previous consultation with the participating countries. Tentatively, however, the following topics have been approved by the Executive committee of the Indian Council of World Affairs (a) national Movements for freedom in Asia (b) racial problems with special reference to the root causes of racial conflicts (c) transition from a colonial to a national economy, dictated primarily by national interests, but with due regard to international co-operation (d) inter Asian emigration and the status and treatment of immigrants; (e) welfare problems with special reference to public health and nutrition; (f) problems of industrial labour and industrial development; (g) cultural problems, with special reference to education, art and architecture scientific research and literature; (h) the status of women and women's movements in Asia.

Each participating country will be invited to send a certain number of delegates and observers, to be selected by organisations having objects similar to those of the Indian Council of World Affairs. Invitations will shortly go out to representative leaders in the different countries of Asia, so that we may have at the Conference a full and satisfactory discussion of the problems on the agenda. It is hoped that one result of the Conference may be the periodical summoning of similar gatherings at suitable intervals at different centers in Asia.

India as the host, will have to arrange for the accommodation of the delegates who will attend the conference. Adequate preparations must be made for the reception of the delegates from other countries and facilities afforded to them (to the extent that Funds permit) to see something of India during their stay in the country. An approximate estimate of the Expenses of the conference is rupees two Lakhs.

I have accepted the invitation of the Executive Committee of the Indian Council of World Affairs to be Chairman of the Committee entrusted with the task of organising the Conference. I would be grateful for a generous contribution from you to meet the expenses of the conference. Cheques may be drawn in my favour and sent to me at the above address.

With best regards, Yours sincerely,

Sd.. Jawaharlal Nehru.
Dr. RM. Alagappa Chettiar,
Krishna Vilas,
Vepery,
Madras 7.

 

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Sakina Mansion
Carmichael Road
Bombay

      August 15, 1946.

Dear Sir Alagappa,

On arrival here I have just received your letter of the 14th August together with your cheque for Rs.10,001/- to be used in connection with the pro- posed Inter Asian Relations Conference. I am grate- ful to you for this generous gift and I am very glad that you appreciate the importance and significance of representatives of the various Asian Countries co-operating together for their common advantage.

Yours sincerely,

Sd.. Jawaharlal Nehru.
Dr. RM. Alagappa Chettiar,
Imperial Bank Building
Bank Street, Fort, Bombay.

 

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Prime Minister of India
Dominion of India

Sakina Mansion
Carmichael Road
Bombay

      23rd August, 1947.

My dear Dr. Chettiar,

Thank you for your letter and your good wishes. It is indeed a great privilege to witness the day of India's Independence, but this has brought so many problems and difficulties in its train that we have to work our hardest.

With all good wishes, Yours sincerely,

Sd.. Jawaharlal Nehru.
Dr. RM. Alagappa Chettiar,
Vepery
Madras

 

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PRIMINISTER OF INDIA

New Delhi

      6th April 1948

My dear Dr. Alagappa Chettiar,

I am sorry for the delay in answering your letter of the 11th March. I am anxious to go to Madras as I have not been there for a long time. I should like also to associate myself with the Electro Chemical Research Institute which you are building. But it is a little difficult for me to fix any time for this visit yet.

Dr. Bhatnagar informed me that there was some difficulty in obtaining, sufficient water at Karaikudi. I do not know if this has been overcome.

Yours sincerely,

Sd.. Jawaharlal Nehru.
Dr. RM. Alagappa Chettiar,
Krishna Vilas
Madras