About the Book

Salient Ideas is a compendium of Dr. Rammanohar Lohia's views on different subjects and situations, in Lohia's own words. Eminent scholar and writer, Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpith Award winner, Dr. Birendra kumar Bhattacharya, undertook this work in a spirit of devotion to Dr. Lohia and after going through his whole voluminous writings, compiled this book as his last tribute to his mentor. He could not see this book in print because he passed away after completing the work and handling over the script to his friend Dr. Hari Dev Sharma. After Dr. Sharma's death, this manuscript was found in his papers.

Dr. Lohia mingled with all sorts of people from rickshaw-pullers and waiters to writers, artists, philosophers and politicians and, therefore, all of them have something to say with some authority, about what Lohia said or thought. This is likely to create confusion at some point of time. This book gives an authentic version of what Lohia said on different matters.

About the Author

Dr. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya (1924-1997) was a famous Indian writer and one of the pioneers of modern Assamese literature. He was first ever recipient of the Jnanpith Award given to a Assamese writer, in the year 1979 for his novel Mrityunjay (Immortal). He was also a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award in Assamese in 1961 for his Assamese novel Iyaruingom (Iyaruingam), which is considered a masterpiece of Indian literature. Another famous novel written by Dr. Bhattacharya is Aai (Mother).

He has remained the President of Asam Sahitya Sabha (Assam literary society) from 1983-1985.

Mastram Kapoor born on December 22, 1926, at Sakri (H.P.); education: M.A., Ph.D. Wrote, edited and translated about one hundred books, including novels, short stories, essays, political and social analysis including novels, short stories, essays, political and social analysis including eleven volumes of documents on freedom struggle and mine volumes of collected works of Dr. Rammanohar Lohia in English and Hindi. Long association with socialist movement and its leaders.

Preface

This book was compiled and edited by Dr. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya, in the spirit of last mission of his life. A committed socialist and follower of Dr. Rammanohar Lohia, Dr. Bhattacharya was a famous writer of Assamese and winner of Sahitya Akademi Award and Jnanpith Award. His novel Mtityunjaya written on the background of Quit India Movement of 1942, for which he got Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpith awards, is proof of his commitment to Socialist Movement. After his retirement from Chairmanship of Sahitya Akademi, he wanted to do some work on Dr. Lohia. He was in constant touch with Madhu Limaye and Dr. Hari Dev Sharma, Deputy Director of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. A fellowship from  Kurukshetra University facilitated this. The result was 'Salient Lohia'. It is Lohia in Lohia's words or summary of Lohia's thought in Lohia's own words.

Soon after preparation of the manuscript of this book, Dr. Bhattacharya passed away. The manuscript remained with Dr. Hari Dev Sharma, who arranged for publication of this book but hardly the book was composed, when Dr. Hari Dev Sharma also passed away. The manuscript and some proofs were found in Dr. Hari Dev Sharma's files, collected from his house. After enquiry it was found that the publisher who had agreed to publish this book was no longer interested in it. Therefore, Samajwadi Sahitya Sansthan undertook this work in cooperation with Anamika Publishers & Distributors (P) Ltd.

In producing this important work, we are indebted to the following institutions and persons:

1. Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra

2. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library New Delhi

3. R.M.L. Samata Vidyalaya Nyas, Hyderabad.

4. Dr. Hari Dev Sharma.

Contents