‘This is a special day for the students’ community of Makum. As a sign of India-China friendship, the function will begin with a song which reflects the friendship between the two countries. The song will be performed by the students of Ganga Bishan Chowkhani High School and Makum Chinese School.’

Ananta left the dais. Immediately two rows of students came from opposite ends of the stage carrying the flags of the two countries and sang, ‘Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai, Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai. Long live India-China.’

As the song went on, the dignitaries returned to talking politics.

‘Here we are shouting Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai, while bit by bit China is encroaching upon our land. This is useless. I don’t understand why we are still organizing these programmes. First improve the border situation, then do all this Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai stuff. But it seems that the government is not at all concerned about the issue,’ the PSP leader muttered in a low voice.

‘Yes, you are right. The government has not taken the issue seriously. The government is telling the public that everything is alright on the one hand, and on the other hand sending protest letters to China. Sit with China. Discuss. If the McMahon Line is right then why are you not able to convince China?’

‘True, absolutely true. The government has said that Indian defence is absolutely alright, at least on the NEFA border. That the Indian Army has taken best defence measures. There, the Chinese troops cannot advance an inch without a fight. Then what has happened?’

‘It was because of Nehru that things went wrong. Being a Congress leader you may not like my words, but I must say Nehru made the gravest mistake by trusting China.’

‘Why do you say that? Nehru is a big-hearted leader. That’s why he believed China. He has no greed for China’s soil. He believes in peaceful co-existence. What should he have done according to you? Should he be waiting, pointing the gun at China in anticipation that China may attack?’ the Congress leader said indignantly.

‘Yes, he should have done exactly that. It is alright to believe in peaceful co-existence. It is wise to maintain good relations with the neighbours. But does that mean that you won’t even check your borders? Will you allow your neighbours to break through your boundary?’

‘See what our Prime Minister has done! There are problems going on at the borders and he has gone to London!’

‘What option did he have? How can our Prime Minister avoid the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference?’

‘You are right. Nehru is not only the leader of India. He is a leader of Asia, too. After choosing the path of non-alignment, he has become one of the great statesmen of the world. We just don’t recognize his worth.’