The Ganga

Question: 1 – To Nehru what was the most precious gift? Who gave it to him in plenty?

Answer: The affection of all classes of the Indian people is the most precious gift in Nehru’s view. His country men gave it to him in plenty.

Question: 2 – Did Nehru consider the Ganga a holy river? Why did he want his ashes immersed in the Ganga?

Answer: Nehru did not attach any religious significance to the Ganga. He wanted his ashes immersed in the Ganga because he had been attached to it since his childhood. He also felt than the Ganga was a symbol of India’s great and ancient culture.

Question: 3 – What did the Ganga remind Pt. Nehru?

Answer: The Ganga reminded Nehru of the peaks and the deep valleys of the Himalayas which he loved so much. It also reminded him of the rich and vast plains.

Question: 4 – Why did Nehru want the major portion of his ashes to be scattered over the fields of India?

Answer: Nehru wanted this because he loved India and he wanted to become one with her soil.

Question: 5 – Why is the Ganga a symbol of Indian tradition?

Answer: Nehru calls the Ganga ‘The River of India’ because she is beloved of her Indian people. She is a symbol of our age-long culture and civilization. Many of our social memories, hopes, fears, myths, sentiments and cultures etc. are attached to the Ganga.

Question: 6 – How can it be said that the Ganga at Allahabad was very dear to Pt. Nehru?

Answer: Nehru has been attached to the Ganga at Allahabad since his childhood. He played on its bank, bathed and swam in it. So the Ganga was very dear to Pt. Nehru.

Question: 7 – What does Nehruji want India to rid herself of?

Answer: Nehruji wanted India to rid herself of all shackles that bind and constrain her and divide her people and put obstacle in development of the body and the spirit.

Question: 8 – Why does Nehru call the Ganga ‘The River of India?

Answer: The Ganga is the river of India because it is loved by India’s people. Many racial memories of Indians are related around it.

Question: 9 – Why did Nehru feel so much attached to the Ganga and the Jamuna?

Answer: Nehru felt himself so much attached to the Ganga and the Jamuna since his childhood. He used to play at the banks of the rivers where they meet. He took his bath and swam there.