Leadership thoughts/thinking during ancient civilization in India

1.0 INTRODUCTION
India is a country with vast diversity with substantial religion, religious, linguistic and cultural
across the country. It can be said it is impossible to generalize about society and organizations,
leaders and leadership practices in India
Leadership is a very popular matter in India. Discussions of political leadership are perhaps the
common topic with always being brought out with disdain, cynicism, and even disgust. Leaders
from all over areas including Indian cricket team, owners, executives and founders of organizations
are also discussed often. Leadership is crucial and always attested that by statues of leaders from all
sort (political, social and religious) being erected all over from big cities to small towns. A large
number of public service institutions such as hospitals, schools, colleges, airports, are named after
leaders. India is known for production of large number of leaders in wider variety over the
centuries. For an example, Gandhis statues are found in almost all cities and towns, roads and
public buildings are often named after him, his birthday is observed as a national holiday, and his
philosophy and teachings are invoked on numerous public occasions, though very little of it is
followed in practice.
The need for effective leaders in India is an intense as in other countries.

In context of

organizations in India fast growing economy face unique leadership development challenges. There
are selective of effective leaders illustrated for example Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka, Akbar, and
Gandhi.

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2.0 OVERVIEW OF ANCIENT INDIA

Indian history begins from Stone Age which is within 7000-3000BCE. Bronze age began around
3300BCE with the early Indus Valley Civilization which centered on the Indus River. This is one of
the worlds first and biggest out of the 4 early civilizations in the world is called Indus Valley
Civilization or well known as Harappan Civilization.

Archeological search and historians found

that the remains of cities discovered in 1920s to be incredibly well planned. Its location was
identified along the Indus River at southwest part of present India. This civilization believed was
started around 3000 BCE to 1700BC where its considered the oldest in the world. At least seventy
Indus cities had been developed where largest cities are Harappa and Mojenjo-Daro with
sophisticated urban culture (Basham, 1967). The civilization is noted for its cities built of brick,
roadside drainage system, and multistoried houses.
Between 1800 and 1500 BCE, Indus civilization disappeared for unknown reasons. In its place,
Indo-European (or Aryan) invaders established the Vedic culture, named after the ritual writings
known as the Vedas. In turn, Vedic culture evolved into a new Indian civilization that spread over
the whole subcontinent.
Next, is followed by Vedic period in between 1500 and 900 BCE which categorized into two, Vedic
Society and Sankritizarion. Vedic society encompassed several waves of Indo-Aryan migration
associated with texts of Vedas. Sanskrit epics Ramayana and Mahabharata said to have their
ultimate origins during this period. In later part of this period corresponds with an increasing
movement away from the previous tribal system towards the establishment of kingdoms, called
Mahajanapadas.
Second urbanization between 800-600 BCE, Shramana movement developed from which Jainism
and Buddhism originate (6th or 5th century BCE). Mahajanapadas, were the sixteenth most powerful
kingdoms and republics of the era. These empires saw advancements in ancient India's science,
mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy and were considered the Indian Golden Age.
Administrations were divided into executive, judicial, and military functions.

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Indias classical age started between 200 BCE and ca.1100CE. Many dynasties and empires formed
during this period. During this period, aspects of Indian civilization, administration, culture, and
religion spread Asia, while kingdoms in southern India had maritime business links with the Roman
Empire from around 77 CE. Indian cultural influence spread over many parts of Southeast Asia. In
13th century, Muslim rules started in some north part India when Delhi Sultanate was established
in1206CE. After its declined in 14th century, some powerful Hindu states emerged and this
followed by Mughal rule in 16th century. It last till 18th century and the declination provide
opportunity for the Maratha Empire, Sikh Empire and Mysore Kingdom.
British east India Company annexed large area s of India in late 18 th century. British Crown directly
administered India and it witnessed both rapid development of infrastructure and economic growth.
During first half of 20th century, struggle for independence begins and finally India gained
independence in year 1947 from United Kingdom.

The extent of Indus Valley Civilization.

3.0 CONTRIBUTION OF ANCIENT INDIAN LEADERSHIP TO MODERN LEADERSHIP

THINKING.
Leadership thoughts and thinking during the Ancient Indian era leads many application and
evolution in modern leadership/management thinking. Indian civilization had produced many great
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leaders in various fields whom had been the root of many new technologies and provides a leading
status of world leader in many fields and not only in spiritualism. There is no specific leaders
described in the history for time period within 3300 BCE and 1500BCE but archaeological analysts
historians suggest of potential of individual leadership which is personal based or ruler which is
similar to great man theory.

3.1 AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES

Based on Vedic literature which provides some early written record of agriculture in India, describes
plowing, fallowing, irrigation, fruit and vegetable cultivation being practiced focus of the rulers of
that time. Some scientists claim agriculture in India was widespread in the Indian peninsula, some
30005000 years ago, well beyond the fertile plains of the north.
Some claim Indian agriculture began by 9000 BP as a result of early cultivation of plants, and
domestication of crops and animals. Settled life soon followed with implements and techniques
being developed for agriculture. Land and water management systems were developed with an aim
of providing uniform growth. Despite some stagnation during the later modern era the independent
was Republic of India able to develop a comprehensive agricultural program.
Anyhow the history and past accomplishments of Ancient Indian leaders have made immense
progress towards growth of great leader like Dr. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan whom is the
Indian geneticist and holes leading role in Indias Green Revolution. Dr Swaminathan is well
known for his great leadership and success in introducing and developing high-yielding wheat in
India. Indian population has tripled, but food-grain production more than quadrupled: there has thus
been substantial increase in available food-grain per capita. Farmers began adopting improved
methods and technologies in dairying, fisheries and livestock, and meeting the diversified food
needs of India's growing population
Indian agriculture is diverse, ranging from impoverished farm villages to developed farms utilizing
modern agricultural technologies. This image shows a farming community in a more prosperous
part of India. India is among the top three global producers of many crops, including wheat, rice,
pulses, cotton, peanuts, fruits and vegetables. Worldwide, as of 2011, India had the largest herds of
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buffalo and cattle, is the largest producer of milk and has one of the largest and fastest growing
poultry industries.

3.2 URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Development of the urban centers is the unique features of Harappan Civilization. The cities could
support as many as 35,000 to 80,000 people. The buildings were made from mud-bricks that had
been fired in a kiln to make it harder, were of a standardized ratio, where the length and breadth
were four times and twice the height respectively. Such bricks were used at all Harappan
settlements.
City planners started by digging water wells and water drainage systems with main roads and small
roads laid out in a square grid. Finally homes were built along the roads, sometimes with multiple
stories. It appears that most urban homes had water drain, had wells and bathrooms as well as an
elaborate underground drainage-system, a technology that wouldn't be matched in history for over
3000 years.
City planning and construction techniques adopted from the Ancient Indian are sophisticated and
technologically advanced. The quality of municipal town planning suggests knowledge of urban planning
and efficient municipal governments which placed a high priority on hygiene. The streets of major cities such
as Mohenjo-daro or Harappa were laid out in a perfect grid pattern, comparable to that of present day New
York. The houses were protected from noise, odours, and thieves.

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3.3 MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Ancient Indian mathematicians had invented number systems and decimal millennia ago. India is
birth place of algebra, calculus and trigonometry which leads to the astronomical evolution.

Great

mathematician Budhayana who lived within 580-500 BC about 800 years ago had made
signification contributions to the development of modern mathematics which is the base for all
modern science and engineering development. Budhayanas leadership helps to creates many
mathematicians and astronomies in Indian history that contributes to modern world. Pi value was
first calculated in 6th century AD by him and explains the concept of Pythagorean Theorem which
was far earlier than dominance of European mathematicians. He is also the author of the earliest
documents in Indian mathematics.
Zero was invented by Aryabhatta (476-550 CE) and he was the first Indian astronomy. Aryabhatta
also known as father of modern mathematics and became leader of Indias first University, Narmala.
He also states that planets and moon shines with reflect of sunlight and the orbits of planets are
ellipse. This was supported by Galileos theory 2000 years later.

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3.4 SOCIAL SYSTEM

3.4..1 CASTE SYSTEM
Indian caste was started in India during the first settlement of Indo-European along Indus River
some scholars begin since 1500 BCE. The caste system is the permanent division of people into
certain levels within society. It is a type of mechanism used in structuring the people in a
community on a basis of inherited social status. Each level or caste can be classified biologically,
functionally and psychologically.
This system highlights the philosophical differences between East and West and able to create a
bond within the society and form a balance use of resources. Besides this this system will also
prevent unrestrained, greediness and short term focus. In example, the group or caste members will
have the responsibility to take their area of interest which if they failed to do so, it will affect their
future generation. The Bhagavadgita (ch.I. 38 ff) glorifies the sanctity of caste. Without caste, there
would be corruption of humanitys most precious standards of domestic honor and sexual propriety
(v. 41). In IV.13 the Gita makes it clear that this system of four main divisions, Brahmans,
Kshatrias, Vaisas and Sudras (caturvarsyam) is based on the division of gunas and activities
corresponding with those gunas.
Besides that biologically, there are three qualities which categorize as Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
Sattva. Sattva qualities include wisdom, intelligence, honesty, goodness and other positive qualities
normally inherent by Brahmins. Rajas include qualities like passion, pride, valour and other
passionate qualities normally inherent by Kshatrias and Vaisias where else Tamas qualities include
dullness, stupidity, lack of creativity and other negative qualities inherent by Sudras. In this view
point, people with different doses of these inherent qualities adopted different types of occupation.
Caste has its bad side, but its benefits outweigh its disadvantages. (Ibid: 242). It is in the nature of
society to form itself into groups. Caste is a natural order; I can perform one duty in social life and
you another; you can govern a country, and I can mend a pair of old shoes, but that is no reason why
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you are greater than I, for, can you mind my shoes? Caste is good. That is the only natural way of
solving life. (Ibid: 245-246)

They will be focused and try doing things differently to develop and improve their lives within their
territory and creates specialization.

Principle idea of caste system had been adopted by modern

management and widely using as job hierarchy in organizations of any industry/sectors.

Beteille and Andre (1965) stated that caste structure may point out social and psychological effects
not causing conflicts with theories of the western psychology schools. In this case theory of people
to be grouped and moulded into whatever shape the society desirable is agreeable. In leadership and
management point of view, caste system is stable, systematic and coexistence which enables
efficient use of resources promotes long term planning creates specialization and an accumulation
of knowledge at the cost of personal liberty.

People of Ancient India

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3.5 MEDICINE IN ANCIENT INDIA

Ancient Indians leadership and its legendary physicians in medicine system can be traced from
Indus Valley civilization but more evidence and details found in the Vedic civilization from 1000BC
onwards. Atreya a pupil of Bharadwaja at Taxilla taught medicine through his astute observations
of symptoms, disease and their correlation. His teachings creates a medicine system which is based
on yukti(human intervention and skills) rather than daiya (divine and superhuman). This medicine
system is known as Ayurveda which the treatments heavily depends on herbs.

Sage Atreya is

known as Hippocrates of Ancient Indian Medicine and also as as Father of Indian Medicine.
His student Charaka Samhita became renowned teacher of surgery and known as Patron Saint of
Surgery.
There are close resemblance of traditional Indian and Western medicine. Even in the absence of
sophisticated scientific tools and equipment, ancient Indian medical leaders were able to perform
simple as well as complicated surgeries including cosmetic surgeries. Sushruta was accepted as
father of plastic surgeon.
Eye surgery, vaccination, dental surgery, plastic surgery, anatomy, physiology, were practices well
known in India long before practiced by Westerns. These ancient medical practices are still widely
being practice by Indian Ayurvedic doctors.

. The code of ethics enforced by Hippocrates,

Sushruta, and Charaka had many similarities. The advances in medicine by Ancient Indians still
being carried out by multinational researches and research related Indian bio-resources being
carried out by multinational drug companies.
Dr. Nitin Agrawal, managing director of Bliss Ayurveda is an leading Ayurvedic doctor whom has
been practicing Ayurveda for almost 20 years. He is an expert in Pulse Diagnosis and Panchkarma
treatments. He is passionate about applying the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda in modern context

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and conveying its lessons and practices of healing potential to improve the quality of health & life
of people.

3.6 ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Ancient Indians has great contribution to the world political science and leadership. Chandragupta
Maurya, founder of the Mauryan Empire is the first emperor to unify India into one state. He also
establishes strong central administration pattern with the help of his guru Chanakya. Thru this
administration pattern he forms administrative teams which grouped into high to lower rank.
Similar system is being practiced in modern politics where the ranking leads by a leader and
followed by followers handling different responsibilities. Besides that, he is creates a friendship
policy with the Hellenistic Kingdoms which stimulates Indias trade and contract with the Western
world which shares the lesson of International Business.
In leadership, it is important to for a leader to have good behaviour. Personal strength and influence
would be enhanced through practicing god behaviour. We can see this especially in the leadership
of King Asoka (273-232 BC), the great Indian emperor. Though in beginning of his ruling he was
recognized as Chandashoka which means cruel Asoka but later upon after becoming Buddhism
follower, his leadership changed and he was became known as Dharmashoka. He become pious
and continues his ruling in reference to Buddhist principles. Chakra in the middle of Indian flag is
called Asoka Chakra, the wheel of dharma which consists of 24 spokes. Each spokes represents

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leadership qualities, values and attitudes.

This would be in-sights for creation of leadership

personality models where rational managements begin.

4.0 LEADERSHIP TEACHINGS FROM MAHABARATHA

Mahabharata, one of the main Sanskrit epic narratives which not only talking about Kurukshetra
War or a book of philosophy but actually a comprehensive manual with leadership guidance and
strategy. Mahabharata encompasses many lessons on leadership and management which potentially
could be applied in modern business practices. S ome of the best practices from India's great epic of
knowledge and inspiration learned from Mahabharata as below.

A. To be a good leader, he/she needs to transform weaknesses into strengths.

Mahabharata gives many examples and practical situations to highlight the importance of
utilizing time to overcoming individuals. Pandavas who got cheated by Kouravas
transformed their weaknesses to strengths as time goes by utilizing it by maximum with
passion. This is an example of the importance of utilizing time in achieving ones mission
and enhancing skills which can help to become a great leader.
B. Sharing responsibilities

Implementation of shared leadership is a very important framework in organizations which

enables it to deal with high complexity, develop knowledge sharing, enable adaptability,
improve decision making and bind people in purposeful learning environment (Fletcher and
Kaeufer, 2003). We can see this has been practiced potentially since eighth or ninth century BC
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though its written work was much later. Example of it is the team spirit of Pandavas with one
end in mind which is enables them to win the war. Efficiently sharing responsibilities is the
mark of a good manager and they should make the decision-making process by involving
everyone in the team so that they can obtain the best of ideas, rather a dictatorial decision.

4.1 KNOW THE GROUND REALITIES

Understanding realities is very important for a leader. With these skills, managers or leaders would
be able to lead the team in right direction. Mahabaratha has stress the importance of knowing the
ground realities where Pandavas spent one year in exile with the poor people. This knowledge and
experience helped them to reach out to people from various strata of the society while Kaurava's
whom lived a royal life do not have experience of the ground reality to understand their nation.
Lesson from this ancient epic is that the leaders/managers need to break the barriers to get in touch
with their subordinates to understand their problems and identify ways to make their work easier.
This will lead them to become influential leader.

4.2 Learn the art of teamwork

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The great Mahabaratha teaches the world that only a combined effort with good team work can
bring in success. Pandavas fought with team effort and is a lesson for managers as it highlights
the significance of sticking on to the common goal while meeting the individual targets.
Kauravas though with a bigger team loss in the war as they never showed unity.
4.3 Take calculated risks

Krishna who is the key character described in Mahabaratha has acted as a greatest crisis
manager showing how to take calculated risks at the time of crisis.

Management is all about

taking calculated risks. Shying away from challenges is not a sign of management, rather wellassessed decisions to on facing the challenges is the trademark of good management. Decisions
made today have a great impact on what will happen tomorrow but the leader has to make them
on the basis of well done research and thought.
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5.0 LEADERSHIP TEACHINGS FROM RAMAYANA

Ramayana is another great epic of Hinduism which depicts the duties of relationship, portraying
ideal characters. Rama the key character of Ramayana, was a very excellent motivator in where
based on the epic, he motivated the army of monkeys and bears to fight against Ravana whom
known is physically very strong with some special powers obtained from the mighty Siva. Rama
knows the needs and wants of his co-worker or the subordinates in order to increase potential of his
army to the maximum they could to achieve the goal efficiently. Lesson and message here is a good
leader must be a good motivator, understands his followers and encourages them in achieving the
goal. He/she must also capable in polishing followers capabilities and help them to realize their
potentials. Besides that there are a few lessons that we can comprehend from Ramayana and how
they can be applied in the corporate world...
5.1 Set goal of what needs to be achieved, and then analyze the situation by assessing the strength
and weaknesses, various threats and opportunities which need to go though in achieving the
goal. To get a job done as per the goal, the leader must be mentally prepared for it and have a
right plan. As example, we can see how Hanuman analyzes the enemys strength, weaknesses,
and threat in meeting Seetha and opportunities he has.
5.2 Sughriva, displays a good managerial characteristics.

He had Rama and Angad work

accordingly for him to get back his kingdom from his mightier brother. Good relationship is a
very important aspect for a good leader/manager and with this relationship he could get his
follower and subordinates perform required tasks successfully.
5.3 Good leader can get work done successfully at anytime from anywhere. He/she will try to keep
team members together, listen to them and be with them whenever needed. But Ravanas
mismanagement leads him to fail and loss in the battle.
5.4 Ramayana also teachers that a leader should create leaders around him by making them
competent enough to make independent decisions.
5.5 Ramayana stresses the importance of communication and implications of miscommunication
which can lead to misinterpretations and conflicts.
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5.6 As mentioned in Mahabharata, Ramayana also teaches the importance of ground realities.
Rama and Seetha during the 14 years vanavasa get the opportunity to engage with ordinary
citizens of their kingdom which helps them to understand the ground reality.

It is very

important for a good leader to go to the ground to understand the realities of surrounding for
him to best perform as leader.

In business understanding a customer is very important in

retaining long term relationship to maintain business and create loyalty.

5.7 Two way communications is very important in a successful leadership. We can see this in both
Mahabharata and Ramayana. Successful leader like Rama, listens to his followers concerns and
gives empowerments to subordinates to question his decisions and provide suggestions. A
leader also should have the capability to assuaged suspicious and get them to accept his
decisions. Only with this, the leader can maintain cooperation within the team.
5.8 Finally in maintaining a good leadership and management, the leader should stick to some core
values which are steeped in righteousness.

6.0 CONCLUSION
Ancient India has great contribution to leadership thought and thinking during ancient civilization
which the root of modern leadership and management thinking. India produced many leaders in
various areas since few thousand years back.

Indus valley civilization is considering the biggest

civilization in its group. Mahabaratha and Ramayana, are two great Indian epics, comprehensive
manual of leadership guidance and strategy.

Great leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal

Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi Bose played an indispensable role in changing the perspective of
world towards India. The far-sightedness and pragmatic characteristics of the leaders can be
assumed from the fact that they framed the Constitution of India by inducting the best possible
clauses of the world.

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Reference

Basham, A.L. (1967). The wonder tha was India. Delhi: Rupa/Fontana Books. [First published
1954].
Eric D. M. Solomon Star, A Leader is a risk taker, Tuesday, 25 Feb 2014.
Murthy K. Vagbhata's ashtanga hridayam [English translation]. Varanasi: Chaukhambha
Orientalia; 2004
Narasimhan C. The Mahabharata [English translation]. New York: Columbia University Press;
1997.
Ninivaggi F. Ayurveda - a comprehensive guide to tratitional Indian medicine for the West.
Westport, Connecticut, USA: Praeger Publishers; 2008
Sharma P. Charaka samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 1995
Singh J, Desai M S, Pandav C S, Desai S P. Contributions of ancient Indian physicians Implications for modern times. J Postgrad Med 2012;58:73-8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_India#cite_note-17
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Indus_Valley_Civilization/
https://sites.google.com/site/1ancientcivilizationsforkids/ancient-india
http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/020583549
X.pdf
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http://www.sanskritimagazine.com/india/indias-top-5-achievements-since-independence/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandragupta_Maurya
http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Management_Lessons_from_Mahabharata-nid-86741-cid1.html
http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-slideshow/seekers/philosophy/corporate-lessons-fromramayana/48646

Appendix 1

India's Contribution to the World

1. India never invaded any country in her last 10000 years of history.
2. India invented the Number System. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.
3. The World's first university was established in Takshila in 700BC. More than

10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The
University of Nalanda built in the 4th century BC was one of the greatest
achievements of ancient India in the field of education.

4. Sanskrit is the mother of all the European languages. Sanskrit is the most
suitable language for computer software - a report in Forbes magazine, July
1987.

5. Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans. Charaka, the

father of medicine consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago. Today Ayurveda is fast
regaining its rightful place in our civilization.

6. Although modern images of India often show poverty and lack of development,
India was the richest country on earth until the time of British invasion in the
early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus was attracted by India's wealth.

7. The art of Navigation was born in the river Sindh 6000 years ago. The very word
Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH. The word navy is also
derived from Sanskrit 'Nou'.
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8. Bhaskaracharya calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds
of years before the astronomer Smart. Time taken by earth to orbit the sun:
(5th century) 365.258756484 days.

9. The value of "pi" was first calculated by Budhayana, and he explained the
concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the
6th century long before the European mathematicians.

10. Algebra, trigonometry and calculus came from India. Quadratic equations were
by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the
Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10**53(10 to
the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 BCE during the Vedic
period. Even today, the largest used number is Tera 10**12(10 to the power of
12).

11. According to the Gemological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the
only source for diamonds to the world.

12. USA based IEEE has proved what has been a century old suspicion in the world
scientific community that the pioneer of wireless communication was Prof.
Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.

13. The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra.
14. According to Saka King Rudradaman I of 150 CE a beautiful lake called
'Sudarshana' was constructed on the hills of Raivataka during Chandragupta
Maurya's time.

15. Chess (Shataranja or AshtaPada) was invented in India.

16. Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his
time conducted complicated surgeries like cesareans, cataract, artificial limbs,
fractures, urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery. Usage of
anesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical equipment were
used. Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, etiology, embryology, digestion,
metabolism, genetics and immunity is also found in many texts.

17. When many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago,

Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley Indus Valley Civilization)

18. The place value system, the decimal system was developed in India in 100 BC.

QUOTES ABOUT INDIA

Albert Einstein said: We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count,
without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.
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Mark Twain said: India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of
human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great
grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in
the history of man are treasured up in India only.

French scholar Romain Rolland said: If there is one place on the face of earth
where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest
days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.

Hu Shih, former Ambassador of China to USA said: India conquered and

dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single
soldier across her border.

Jayesh Patel said: However great was our past and great was our treasure, a
citizen of India who is alive today needs a job for himself and food for family.
Great wealth and treasures that your forefathers had centuries ago don't buy
you anything today..Like an ostrich, we have become a community who is living
in the past and avoiding a hard look at the realities.
Did we ever say, "Let us do that for the good of India"? Do you think that
nothing can be done for Her (India)? Are we all like those citizens of Akbar and
Birbal who brought a cup of water to put in the tank when they all were
supposed to fill up the tank with milk?

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