Srinivasa Shastri (1869) – easy explain

Do you know who Srinivasa Shastri was? He was one of the most prominent figures in the Indian freedom struggle and the Indian Liberal Party. He was also a renowned orator, administrator, educator, and diplomat. He served his country under British colonial rule in many important posts at home and abroad. He was acclaimed for his oratory and command over the English language.

In this blog, I will tell you more about his life, achievements, and legacy. I will also share some of his famous speeches and quotes that will inspire you. Let us begin by learning about his birth and early life.

Srinivasa Shastri was born on September 22, 1869 in the town of Valangaiman, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu), India. He was born to poor Brahmin parents who were temple priests. His father died when he was very young and his mother struggled to raise him and his siblings. He completed his education at Kumbakonam and worked as a school teacher and later headmaster in Triplicane, Madras. He entered politics in 1905 when he joined the Servants of India Society founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale. He became the president of the society in 1915.

Srinivasa Shastri was a moderate nationalist who believed in constitutional reforms and cooperation with the British government. He was a member of the Indian National Congress from 1908 to 1922 but later resigned in protest against the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. He founded the Indian Liberal Party in 1922 and became its president. He was opposed to the partition of India and advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity.

Srinivasa Shastri served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1913 to 1916, Imperial Legislative Council of India from 1916 to 1919 and the Council of State from 1920 to 1925. He also functioned as India’s delegate to the League of Nations, member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom and agent to the Union of South Africa.

 He participated in the Round Table Conference in London in 1930-31 to discuss proposals for Indian constitutional reform. He also reported on the conditions of Indian labour in Malaya and South Africa.

Srinivasa Shastri was widely respected for his eloquence and mastery of the English language. He delivered many speeches on various topics such as education, social reform, human rights, democracy, and international relations. His speeches were often compared to those of Edmund Burke and William Gladstone. 

He received many honours and awards for his services to India and humanity. He was made a Companion of Honour in 1930. He also received the Freedom of the City of London in 1921 and the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh in 1931.

Srinivasa Shastri passed away on April 17, 1946 in Madras at the age of 76. He left behind a legacy of patriotism, liberalism, and eloquence that inspired generations of Indians. He was a great leader, thinker, and speaker who dedicated his life to the cause of India’s freedom and progress.

Now that you know more about Srinivasa Shastri’s birth and life, let us look at some of his famous speeches and quotes that will motivate you.

One of his most memorable speeches was delivered at the Central Hall of Westminster on February 19, 1927 on behalf of India at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria’s reign. He spoke about India’s loyalty to the British Empire but also expressed India’s aspirations for self-government and dignity. Here are some excerpts from his speech:

“We have been loyal not merely because we have been compelled to be loyal, but because we have willed to be loyal. We have been loyal not merely because we have been afraid of the consequences of disloyalty, but because we have felt that loyalty was a duty and a privilege.” “We are not children. 

We are not wards. We are not subjects. We are citizens of an ancient land, with a history and a culture of our own, with a civilisation and a tradition which have enriched the common heritage of mankind.” “We ask for no favours. We crave for no privileges. We claim nothing but our rights. We demand nothing but justice. We seek nothing but freedom.”

 Another remarkable speech was delivered at the Imperial Conference in London on October 19, 1930 on the issue of Indian constitutional reform. He spoke about the need for India to have full responsible government and dominion status within the British Commonwealth. He also criticised the British government for its delay and indifference in granting India’s demands. Here are some excerpts from his speech:

“India is not a problem. India is a nation. India is not a difficulty. India is an opportunity. India is not a danger. India is an asset.” “We do not want to break away from the British Empire. We want to remain within it, but as equal partners, not as subordinate members.” “We do not want to be governed by others. 

We want to govern ourselves. We do not want to be ruled by laws made by others. We want to make our own laws. We do not want to be taxed by others. We want to tax ourselves.” One more notable speech was delivered at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber in Bombay on January 18, 1932 on the subject of Indian economic development.

 He spoke about the need for India to industrialise and modernise its economy and society. He also stressed on the importance of education, science, and technology for India’s progress. Here are some excerpts from his speech:

• “We have been loyal not merely because we have been compelled to be loyal, but because we have willed to be loyal. We have been loyal not merely because we have been afraid of the consequences of disloyalty, but because we have felt that loyalty was a duty and a privilege.”
• “We are not children. We are not wards. We are not subjects. We are citizens of an ancient land, with a history and a culture of our own, with a civilisation and a tradition which have enriched the common heritage of mankind.”
• “We ask for no favours. We crave for no privileges. We claim nothing but our rights. We demand nothing but justice. We seek nothing but freedom.”

Another remarkable speech was delivered at the Imperial Conference in London on October 19, 1930 on the issue of Indian constitutional reform. He spoke about the need for India to have full responsible government and dominion status within the British Commonwealth. He also criticised the British government for its delay and indifference in granting India’s demands. Here are some excerpts from his speech: 

• “India is not a problem. India is a nation. India is not a difficulty. India is an opportunity. India is not a danger. India is an asset.”
• “We do not want to break away from the British Empire. We want to remain within it, but as equal partners, not as subordinate members.”
• “We do not want to be governed by others. We want to govern ourselves. We do not want to be ruled by laws made by others. We want to make our own laws. We do not want to be taxed by others. We want to tax ourselves.”

One more notable speech was delivered at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber in Bombay on January 18, 1932 on the subject of Indian economic development. He spoke about the need for India to industrialise and modernise its economy and society. He also stressed on the importance of education, science, and technology for India’s progress. Here are some excerpts from his speech: 

• “We cannot live in isolation from the rest of the world. We cannot shut ourselves up in our own shell and ignore the currents and cross-currents of world affairs. We have to face the facts of life and adjust ourselves to them.”
• “We have to develop our industries, our agriculture, our commerce, our transport, our communications, our education, our health, our sanitation, our social services, our public works, our defence, our foreign relations, in short, every aspect of our national life.”
• “We have to cultivate the scientific spirit and the scientific method in every sphere of activity. We have to encourage research and invention, experiment and innovation, discovery and exploration.”

These are just some examples of Srinivasa Shastri’s brilliant speeches that showcase his oratory skills and vision for India. He also wrote many books and articles on various topics such as Indian history, culture, politics, religion, philosophy, and literature. Some of his famous works are:

• The Future of India (1917)
• The Indian Problem (1921)
• The Indian National Congress (1923)
• The Message of Mahatma Gandhi (1924)
• The Commonwealth of Nations (1929)
• The Voice of Freedom (1931)
• The Spirit of India (1933)

Srinivasa Shastri also had many wise and witty sayings that reflect his personality and values. Here are some of his famous quotes: 

• “A nation is made by its people, not by its area or boundaries.”
• “The test of civilisation is not wealth or power, but character and culture.”
• “The true patriot is not he who shouts slogans or waves flags, but he who works for the welfare of his countrymen.”
• “The best way to serve God is to serve humanity.”
• “The secret of happiness is not in having more, but in being content with what you have.”

I hope this blog has helped you to learn more about Srinivasa Shastri’s birth and life. He was a great orator who spoke for India’s freedom and dignity. He was a great leader who worked for India’s progress and prosperity. He was a great thinker who wrote for India’s culture and civilisation.