We shall unite : Plea for national integration

The sentiments, traditions and the social climate that constitute the cementing force for forging national integration have for centuries formed the foundation of our cultural life and human relationship. These traditions, though coming down to us from hoary past are as fresh and robust as the lakes and mountainns of Kashmir-as its fountains and forests. These traditions are the outcome of the brotherly relations' that subsist amongst our people, their close association, communal amity and. tolerance and above all their capacity to understand one-another well. It was in this context that Gandhiji had said that he saw a ray of hope in Kashmir. Today also, this ray is with full gusto radiating its lustrous light to illuminate our lives. (National Integration does not admit of temporary or transitory interests and objectives. It is the fundamental factor on which depends the strength of the 1
country as well as its internal peace and security, secularism and democracy. The society which we aim to build is not desired to be produced by the force of the rod. Our objective is to build an egalitarian society by democratic means and through democratic institutions where all have the opportunity to co-operate. It is obvious that in such an arrangement, each individual is free and his opinion is very valuable. Freedom of thought and outlook does not come in the way of national integration. The real danger to national unity is the product of the activities and efforts of individuals or groups of people who serve their personal interests at th) cost of the national interests. Such elements do not try to understand the problem.,