Indira Gandhi: A Life In Nature. A book Which Helps Readers To Understands Different Angles of Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

 Indira Gandhi: A Life In Nature. A book Which Helps Readers To Understands Different Angles of Mrs. Indira Gandhi.   

“I have always loved trees, trees more than flowers. And animals. I have always had animals. Even as a child I looked upon a trees as a life giving thing. I also look upon it as a refuge. I liked climbing the trees. I liked it as an exercise but also because I could hide there.  I had little places where I could take my books and sit up and nobody would disturb me. I did that till quite late. I have always regarding myself as a friend of trees and have experience a sense of companionships with them-the-easy –to-climb ones to dear to all active children seeking occasional heaven from the adult world; the spreading one which gives the protection from the glare and hit of Indian sun; the flowering ones. Bursting into colourful bloom; the gnarled old ones, mute witnesses of history”. These are the words of India’s third Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi who had said this during the conversation with Pupul Jayakar. Other than Politician was also an ecologist and naturalist and one can realise this at the time of reading the book written by Jairam Ramesh and title of the book is “Indira Gandhi : A Life in Nature”.

From Yogesh Gogwekar

At the time of reading contemporary history of India, I always try to grapple on one question, what is the real face of Mrs. Indira Gandhi? Her admirers always venerate her victory against Pakistan & creating Bangladesh , her decision for Nationalisation of Banks & ushering green revolution but at the same time her critics always criticizing  her  for her imposing emergency, decision on  operation blue star & running the country in dictatorial way. Most of her biographers have written about her political life; but very few talked about her passion I.e. about nature or environment. Therefore, to understand Mrs. Gandhi, an ecologist and naturalist, one must read a book written by Jairam Ramesh," Indira Gandhi, a life in Nature ".

Everyone is aware that Mrs. Gandhi as a Prime Minister was the first person to lay the foundation of the environment policies to protect the wildlife in India. According to writer, Mrs. Gandhi spearheaded the four laws for wildlife protection, forest conservations, control of water pollution and control of air pollution. He further said that these policies were not bureaucracy-driven, but driven by her personally. This biography has been written in different way through which readers feel that Mrs. Gandhi speaks with them regarding her love with nature from different stages of her life. For that purpose, Jairam Ramesh has given the account of her writings, her speeches , the books which have been read by her on wildlife and environments, her conversations with her father, intellectuals and her friends  and also the details of files on which she had put her remarks of her observations.

There are so many instances which have been mentioned by the writer. This is nothing but the detailed information about the work carried out by Mrs. Indira Gandhi to protect the forest life. These instances are rejection of so many development projects which were damaging the environment like Mathura Refinery, Silent Valley, Guindy Deer Park in Chennai and National Park in Borivali, Mumbai. In this case, she had taken the help of famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali to shape the environmental legislation. She also set up a cow protection committee to execute the law to stop the cow slaughter. This committee was disbanded by Morarji Desai in 1979. 

After Independence, India was following some colonial rule for Indian wildlife.  There were so many cases of killing tigers, panthers, antelopes, bison and bear had been reported.  If no actions would be taken to save the life of these animals, then no populations of these animals would be available. Therefore, to protect the life of animals Mrs. Gandhi took perianal interest and made strict rules and banned on such killing by passing Wildlife Protection Bills, 1973. For this, she set up Bandipur and Madumulai sanctuaries in 1973 and the Gir Lion sanctuary in 1975. In this case, she informed all Chief Minister of states to protect the wildlife and made the rule that no states would take out an order regarding forest life without the permission of center. One can read the remarkable letter she has written to Chief Minister of Assam, Sarat Chandra Sinha, on March 20.01.1977, in this matter. She said that,” It is no longer possible to regard forests primarily as a revenue-yielding resource. The long-term benefit to climate and water management is equally important. Monocultures do not have the same capacity to hold and regulate water supply as do primary forests which have evolved over ages. Before any more primary forest is cut, the Assam Government should re-examine its working plans in order to ensure that environmental benefits are not overlooked”.

As a Prime Minister, she used her authority to save ecological areas like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seven North East states and also the rainforest of Western Ghats  from destruction. She had frequent battles with some Chief Ministers over the planting of eucalyptus in Bastars and the struggles over the Backbay reclamation in Maharashtra. For this purposes, she had read many books and never hesitated to consults a wild range advisers, domain experts and nature lovers  either from India or from foreign countries.  Even after praising Mrs. Gandhi for her work for nature , Jairam Ramesh criticized oh her decision for giving permission to carry on work to Mathura Refinery Oil near to Taj Mahal, the naval training establishment at Chilka Lake and the low-grade iron mining project in South Karnataka,

No doubts her work and nature lover is very much interesting. In one letter, she gave thanks to her Father Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and also Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore for developing her love towards nature, environment and wildlife.

At the time of reading this book, one can never takes away her contribution of saving the life of snakes in Guindy, crocodiles and turtles in Orissa, and the lion-tailed macaque severely endangered in the shola forests of South India and even the life of monkeys.

This is wonderful book to read to understand Mrs. Gandhi's love & concern for nature but also those who want to know the policies & governance of India's modern environmental & wild life. It is true that she was the only one to consider nature and culture from one angle. Thanks to Jairam Ramesh for providing great information

At end, I quoting her words about the nature and closing my writing on this book. She said that,” As an only child whose childhood was invaded by turbulence of vast national upheaval, I found companionship and an inner peace in communion with Nature. I grew up with love for stones, no less than trees and for animals of all kinds. I always felt that closeness to nature helps to make one a more integrated personality ‘.

Good book to read, do not miss it.

Mumbai

10/01/2020