[Letter to C Rajagopalachari]

Summary

In this letter dated 2 March 1964, Wilhelm von Pochhammer writes to C. Rajagopalachari (“Rajaji”) about the moral and political condition of India. He praises Gandhi’s grandson for travelling through India to promote Moral Re-Armament, while arguing that moral ideas must be accompanied by practical measures to address agricultural needs and poverty. He presents the Swatantra Party as a potentially important force against the unhealthy features of contemporary public life and says he is following its development closely.

Key points

• Von Pochhammer commends Gandhi’s grandson for promoting Moral Re-Armament across India.
• He argues that moral ideals alone cannot resolve agricultural distress and poverty.
• He describes the Swatantra Party as a possible political force against India’s unhealthy public-life practices.
• He follows speculation about Jawaharlal Nehru’s succession and asks Rajagopalachari for his assessment of possible successors, especially S. K. Patil.
• He reports publishing German-language books on the Himalayan conflict and India’s economy, with another planned on Indian history.
• He recalls his earlier service as German Consul in Madras and his longstanding friendship with Rajagopalachari.