some foreign papers have described me as stubborn. I am stubborn in matters affecting our security and, in my opinion, the massacre going on in Bangladesh must stop and peace restored. The annihilation of the 75 million people of Bangladesh is not in our national interest. Therefore, we have to ensure that the terrible atrocitics going on there must stop. This is not being stubborn. There is no alternative to this if we consider our own national interests. You are aware that we have taken some steps only after calm consideration. We have done nothing is haste. We are doing only what is proper and in our interest. Whenever some foreign power talked to us, it was only after careful deliberation that we refused to accept any suggestion made and we accepted what we could. We are faced with a crises and there must be enthusiasm among the people. We have also to see how to utilize this enthusiasm to meet change before us. Any army must fight to be in victorious. This will not be possible if our industries and school are closed down and the working of our hospitals is affected. If we want to be truly victorious, the citizens of Calcutta must ensure that the work in towns and villages is carried on more efficiently and with greater vigour.
It is testing time for our country but I am confident that we shall succeed. Whatever the nature of the fight, we shall deal with it firmly and with a cool head so that the promises we have made to the people are fulfilled and we continue our march towards progress. However great the danger, however great the pressure, we have to move forward even if we are alone. The people who live near our borders know that the Pakistanis have been firing on Agartala and other places. Our hospitals and full of injured people. Our hearts go to them and I express gratitude to them on my behalf and on behalf of the nation. We are proud of their courage and we hope that their morale will continue to be high. Although they are now no longer in uniform, they are our soldiers. We are proud of their bravery and enthusiasm.
