V.K. Raman Menon
| V.K. Raman Menon | |||||||
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| File:Menon, V.K. Raman.jpg | |||||||
| Residence |
c/o H.H. The Raja of Cochin, Cochin State, India | ||||||
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Contents
Notes
Office Notes
House Notes
1918.11.21 proposed by R.R. Marett, seconded by H. Balfour, elected 1919.06.02 in A63
1923.05.15 2. The Treasurer read the list of Fellows in arrears.
It was resolved to remove the names of the following from the list of Fellows: B.L. Garrad, D. Campbell, Dr F. Outes, H.S. Dickey, C.W. Hesling, F.R. Honter, P.R. Hough-Love, E.H. Cholmeley, S.H. Hillelson, J. Mackay, S, Ishii, V.K. Ramon Menon, W.R. Patterson.
Notes From Elsewhere
could be? V.K. Krishnan Menon, an Indian nationalist and politician.
Born into an orthodox family in Malabar, yet he was progressive, empirical, and iconoclastic in outlook, the qualities of a statesman par excellence. No wonder, he was a reflection of his father, an eminent lawyer famous for his blunt, matter of factiness and courage. His mother, an accomplished musician and scholar, had a legendary obstinacy in matters she thought right. Menon’s arrogance, imperiousness, obstinacy were the reflections of the characteristics of his parents.
It is a wonder that this man of wealth went into real starvation and oblivion when in London. For about 20 years he lived the life of an ascetic, denying himself the basic necessities. Later history shows that he lived such a life in London as he was concentrating on Indian independence and redressal of the grievances of the oppressed and the never to be forgotten people, the poor. He was one who believed in the proverbial statement of Henry James, a brilliant writer namely, i.e. ideas are in truth forces. Infinite too, is the power of personality.” A union of the two always makes history”. He had observed this philosophy and made history, is clear from the political history of independent India.
Early in his life, Menon came under the tutelage of two internationally reputed individuals, Mrs.Annie Besant and Mr.Harold Lasky at the London school of economics. It was from Annie Besant, Menon learnt that unless one has deep faith in law and constitutionalism, concern for the poor and to help the youth to develop personality ie character, his life is a total waste. Harlod Lasky helped him to learn the philosophy of political science, explaining and defining what socialism is. He thus had become a crusader of liberty defined by Voltaire, namely “Liberty consists of dependence on nothing but law”. The aphorisms like ‘embarrassment of the riches’, ‘common sense is not so common’ interspersed in his speeches and exhortations, I believe, Menon had borrowed from the writing of Voltaire, which history had recorded ‘as conscience of the age’.
Both Annie Besant and Lasky were highly controversial individuals, though they were recognised by the world as men of character. As a student of these great personalities, Menon realised that a man of character can hardly avoid controversies.
The life of an exile in London, Menon utilised it to learn the first lessons in politics. The Magna Carta which provided the foundation for the British cabinet system of Government , helped Menon to realise that freedom was a universal right. He therefore became a part of the political movement in England. His faith in the machinery of democracy thus got established. The philosophy made him a crusader of Indian Independence.
The democratic ideas and ideology he had acquired while in exile, and the personality he had developed from Annie Besant and Lasky, gave Menon the courage to acquit himself well first as a high commissioner and later as the defence Minister, ignoring the scathing criticisms let loose by the self centred, selfish and apatriotic Indian politicians and their sycophants. On international stage his orations reflected his mettle and this unique character made the so called international statesmen understand that India no more is a colony but a sovereign nation and as such cannot be cowed down as in the past. His orations interlaced with aphorisms irritated many a diplomat and heads of other nations, who went to the extent of saying that Menon is an “undiplomatic diplomat”, “the ugly Indian”, “the unspeakable Mr. Krishnan Menon” and “the most hated diplomat”. What else could be the comments that could emanate from the heads and diplomats of other nations to denote this great son of this Puniya Bhoomi, The Mother India. Just one sentence from his oration in the United Nations, “my country will not send even a postcard to the Pentagon for help”, is enough to endorse the view expressed by the journalists and the political pundits that the representatives of the other nations in the UN used to shiver in their shoes when Menon stands up to make a statement.
Whenever I think of Mr. Menon, having the piercing eye of an eagle, ready to fight any unethical actions, national or international, I’m reminded of the words spoken by Bernad Shah after meeting marshal Montgomery, namely like “ a burning glass, he concentrates all space into a single spot”. The ready answer with a punch, Mr. Menon gives to any, even his mentor, is akin to the words Monte spoke to Churchill regarding a military action during the Second World War. “Prime Minister you are not a professional soldier. I’m. You do not know how to fight this battle. I do”
Like Ramon Magsaysay of Philippines, Menon fought for the welfare of the masses, Swami Vivekananda addressed as “the forgotten India”. Menon loved India like one who loved his mother. His period as defence minister saw, the growth in the production of arms and ammunitions and this made India to a considerable extent self sufficient. The ordanance factories established around the country reflect the work of the visionary in Mr.Menon.
His concern for the integrity, rather unity of the nation was stupendous. He was crazy about the “one people one nation” theory. He gave expressions to his feelings that to sustain the integrity of the nation, he will even welcome death. This visionary therefore stood against the decision of Nehru to reorganise states on linguistic basis. He advised Nehru to snap the decision and suggested, if found necessary to create five presidencies. The conversations between Menon and Nehru in this regard have been recorded for the benefit of posterity by Durgadas, the journalist who was the co-traveller with the political leaders who fought for freedom, in his book titled “ From Curson to Nehru and after”, about which Zakir Hussasin, former president of India has commented as “here is Indian history seen from the inside”, namely “Krishnan Menon told me he advised Nehru not to redraw state boundaries on the basis of language, as this would lead to national disintegration. But if Nehru decides to do so, Menon advised him to divide the country into 50 provinces or counties as in Britain with a central Government at the apex. Alternatively Menon suggested the creation of 5 presidencies. Rejecting this advice, the Nehru Government did redraw the boundaries of the nation on the basis of language; and this ill advised action virtually has started gnawing at the integrity of the nation, the recent history of independent India shows. We, the people, today are groping in the dark, not knowing what to do to sustain the integrity of the nation, which is one of the objectives sought to be accomplished as seen from the preamble of the Indian constitution.
What a visionary Mr.Menon was. The above sane advice shows that he was bold enough to cross swords with his intimate friends and even his mentor, to sustain the honour of Mother India.
Mr.Menon’s propensity to alienate friends, even his mentor and his capacity to antagonise people at the helm of affairs resulted in his being encircled by a circle of enemies. The lobby thus born, succeeded in Mr.Menon being thrown out from the political field.
Yet, at this distance of time we can proclaim from house tops, Mother India gave birth to the noble son, Mr. Krishnan Menon, who trekked the earth like a colossus.
But I believe Mr.Menon left the political scenario with the satisfaction that like, the pauranic character Karna, throughout his life he fought for the substance of “Dharma”.
I conclude this talk quoting American philosopher, Emerson: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”
Jai Hind
Justice K.P.Radhakrishna Menon