Children, I have a great love for spending time with you and engaging in conversation. But the thing I truly cherish is playing alongside you. When I am in your presence, it’s as if my age and how long it has been since I was a child myself fade away. However, when I sit down to write, it serves as a reminder of the difference in age between us and how much time has passed since my own childhood. It is customary for older individuals to give speeches and offer guidance to young ones. As someone who was once a child years ago, I also disliked this practice; therefore, I assume you feel the same way. Adults often come across as wise, even though only a few actually possess true wisdom.
I am unsure about my wisdom and intelligence. Sometimes, when I hear others talk, I feel like I have wisdom, brilliance, and importance. But when I think about it myself, doubts start to arise about this belief. However, truly wise people don’t openly speak about their wisdom or show arrogance. So what should we talk about then? If you were here with me at this moment, I would enjoy discussing the fascinating aspects of our world: flowers, trees, birds, animals, stars, mountains, glaciers and all other magnificent things that surround us.
Many times as adults, we overlook the beauty that surrounds us and instead concentrate on our disagreements and disparities. In our jobs, we become fully absorbed in what we deem important duties. I urge you to embrace this beauty and the vitality of life with a heightened consciousness. Are you able to identify flowers by their names and birds by their songs? Establishing connections with them and fostering a bond with all aspects of nature becomes simple when approached with love and friendship.
Despite encountering numerous fairy tales and stories, the world itself is a unique narrative filled with marvels and explorations. To fully comprehend the enchantment and essence of life on Earth, one must possess the capacity to perceive, listen to, and embrace diverse viewpoints with an open mindset. Regrettably, adults frequently establish rifts among themselves due to religion, caste, color, political affiliation, nationality, region, language, traditions, and wealth.
Fortunately, children are unaware of the barriers that divide. They interact and collaborate with one another without inhibition. It is only as they mature that they become acquainted with these barriers through their elders. I aspire for you to have an extended childhood… A few months ago, the Japanese children reached out to me with a request for an elephant. On behalf of the Indian children, I sent them a splendid elephant… This majestic creature became a representation of India to them and served as a connection between them and the children of India.
I was pleased that our gift brought joy to the children in Japan and reminded them of our nation. It’s important to remember that there are children all around the world who attend school, work, and play. Occasionally they have conflicts but always reconcile and become friends again. You can learn about these countries in your books, and as you grow older, many of you will have the chance to visit them. Approach these countries with a friendly demeanor, and they will embrace you warmly. We had an extraordinary individual among us named Mahatma Gandhi, who we lovingly referred to as Bapuji.
Despite his wisdom, Jawaharlal Nehru was a humble individual who never boasted about it. He possessed simplicity and childlike qualities, along with a fondness for children. He taught us to approach the world with optimism and laughter. Our country is vast and there are numerous tasks that need to be accomplished by all of us. If each person contributes even a small amount, the cumulative effect will lead to the prosperity and rapid advancement of our nation.
In this letter dated December 3, 1949, I have attempted to communicate with you as if we were in close proximity, and I ended up writing more than originally planned.
