During the last generation, when the struggle for independence
took a more determined form, the people of the country longed for a
free United India. During this very period, however, the insistence on
the theory that Hindus and Muslims formed two separate nations be-
came more acute. The efforts of the Indian National Congress and the
unusual sacrifices of its leaders and followers gradually met with a
powerful obstacle in the form of this theory which obtained increasing
support from the followers of the Muslim League. When at the end
of World War II, the British authorities decided to hand over power to
the representatives of the people, the dilemma was created that the two
important political organisations in the country who could take over
were not united. At each successive stage of the negotiations between
the parties concerned, the demands of the Muslim League grew. At
the same time the country witnessed a series of communal disturbances
in different parts making life and property insecure and increasing the
tension between the two communities. With the advent of the Labour
Party to power in the U.K., the hopes of politicians in India were raised.
These hopes received an impetus when after the failure of Sir Stafford
Cripps and Lord Wavell to bring about an agreed solution of the pro-
blem, Lord Mountbatten was sent as Governor-General obviously with
special instructions and a free hand. At last the dilemma took the form
of independence with the partition of the country or a prolonged bitter
internal fight with the continuation of British Rule in some form. To
the surprise of the country, the leaders of the Indian National Congress
who were wedded to the idea of a United India, agreed to divide the
country as the price of independence. The joys of independence were
thus tempered by the thought of the division of the country. This poli-
tical decision could not, however, take note of its tremendous economic
implications. In fact, these implications were pushed to the back-
ground for a time, because of the unexpected orgy of communal frenzy
leading to mass massacres which took place in the Punjab on the eve
of independence and after. It took some time for the new Governments
in India and Pakistan to settle down and think of their normal
functions.

In spite of this unfortunate episode, with the advent of indepen-
dence a new era has started in the history of this country. The signi-
ficance of this era from the point of view of the ordinary citizen is bound
to be assessed in terms of economic benefits, such as a higher standard
of life and better opportunities in all spheres. The subdued ideas of
the dominant political party in the country for a rapid economic and
social revolution found an opportunity for expression with the advent
of power. The translation of these ideas into practice is being attempt-
ed in a new environment created by the partition of the country, which
has brought about fundamental changes in our economic structure. It
is imperative that those in authority should constantly bear in mind
these structural changes in the economy of the country while attempt-
ing to forge new economic policies; it is equally imperative that the

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