AFTER NEHRU, WHO?

by Welles Hangen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 9, 1962

India, currently embroiled in troubles worse than anything she has known since independence, faces also the day when Nehru, now in his late seventies, will no longer control her government. Correspondent Hangen, who has served the National Broadcasting Company's New Delhi bureau since he urged its creation in 1959, illuminates the present as well as the future as he assesses the personal and professional qualifications, popular rating, and political prospects of the seven men and one woman he believes most likely to be somewhere in the running when the time comes: Desal; Krishna Menon; Shastri; the little known Chevan, but in Hangen's opinion potentially-best; Marayan, Mrs. Indira Gandhi; Patil, and East. Their dossiers include some data on family, education, and personal idiosyneracles, but chiefly on the stand each has taken with respect to the economic and social needs of India, factors of the East-West conflict, the Goa, China-border, Kashmir, and other homefront crises, and the U.N. and world situations. Unusually up-to date, the book includes Menon's removal as Defense Minister, and border developments as late as mid November, 1962. Hangen regards as ""dangerously mistaken"" the prevalent that leaders will be impossible to find when Nehru is gone. He projects many enlightening clues across a vision of what is most likely to happen, predicting -- in the immediate postlude -- an inter-regnum based on political expediency, which would pave the way for a future government with greater chances of strength and success. Timely, well constructed, and exceptionally vivid.

Pub Date: Jan. 9, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1962

Categories: NONFICTION