[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this typed letter dated January 8, 1970, S. V. Raju asks Minoo Masani to postpone a planned visit to Rajkot from the weekend of January 7–8 to sometime in February. Raju explains that Premod [name unclear in the scan] and Babubhai Shah have arranged a formal reception for Masani, who would be visiting Rajkot for the first time since being elected president of the party. Indira Gandhi is also due to visit Rajkot on January 23–24, making it difficult to organise a suitable reception without clashing with her programme.

Raju supports the idea of a reception not for its ceremonial aspect but for its propaganda value and the opportunity to involve the community in the Constitution. He refers to a tentative January–February schedule and asks Masani to reply quickly so that the organisers can make arrangements and avoid a conflict with Gandhi’s visit.

Key points

• S. V. Raju writes to Minoo Masani on January 8, 1970, about a proposed visit to Rajkot.
• Raju asks Masani to postpone the visit from the January 7–8 weekend to February.
• A formal reception has been planned because this would be Masani’s first visit to Rajkot since his election as party president.
• Indira Gandhi’s scheduled Rajkot visit on January 23–24 creates a practical and political scheduling conflict.
• Raju argues that the reception’s value lies in its propaganda potential and in involving the community in the Constitution.
• Raju asks for an early reply so the organisers can settle the date and arrange Masani’s ISP Board meeting.