PM Nehru’s message to National Herald on its Silver Jubilee

I was in Europe when the first issue of the National Herald came out. I had been interested in the proposal to bring it out before I left India, and we were all excited about it.

Twenty five years have passed since then—twenty five years which have seen a great deal of change in India and the world. The National Herald has also experienced many ups and downs. During its early years, I remember how financial and other troubles pursued us at every stage.

Ever since I came to Delhi to join the Government, I have not been connected with the Herald, though I have taken interest in it from a distance. In spite of the abundance of newspapers in Delhi, I have seen the Herald daily here and have often read its editorials. Under the able guidance of its editor, Shri M. Chalapathi Rau, it has kept up a high standard. While generally favouring Congress policy, it has maintained an independence of outlook which I have appreciated. Gradually, after much travail, it has established itself and made progress and now, I understand, it is thinking of spreading itself. I welcome this and wish it every success. I have been of opinion that independently run newspapers are desirable in India, and the modern tendency of chains of newspapers limits their independence and, therefore, their value.

Twenty five years have passed, and the Herald looks forward to the next twenty five years with hope and confidence. I trust it will continue to serve the cause of the people and further progressive trends. In that it will have not only my goodwill but also that of large numbers of others people.

New Delhi, September 21, 1963