2Q2      THE     MAKING    OF     FEDERAL    INDIA
If the new Constitution is to grow out of its limitations,
there should be a vigorous campaign throughout the country
for social reforms. That is, in my judgment, the first
task to which Indian leaders must devote their attention.
There are fatal defects in our social structure which
certainly stand in the way of developing ^ic community of
ideas " and offer resistance to partnership with the West.
We have set up innumerable barriers against intercourse
with the units of humanity which found their way to India ;
we have erred in approaching the solution of the various
problems of adjustment that have risen in consequence
of our contact with Britain. Our outlook is narrow, our
minds timid and our spiritual life buried under the debris
of dead traditions. No sophistry can hide the fact that there
is a lack of vitality, a spiritual flagging among us. " To-day,"
as Professor Radhakrishnan puts it, " we seem to be afraid
of ourselves, and are therefore clinging to the shell of our
religion for self-preservation/' No honest Indians can deny
that their failure to bring about a speedy adjustment in the
social structures, in conformity with modern conditions, has
undoubtedly given rise to some of the intractable problems
in shaping the new Constitution, While extraordinarily
alive to the deficiencies of the British rule in India, they
do not seem to recognize their own failure to develop those
qualities so necessary for the remoulding of their social
life. And it is a great temptation for them to attribute
all their shortcomings to an alien rule.
About a quarter of a century ago, a Japanese statesman,
Count Okuma, made the following observation on India.
He said:
" India was at the head of all civilized countries in
ancient times, but what was the cause by which she was
reduced to her present state ? She brought it about
herself. She fell behind, because her social organization
did not conform to the international standard, From the
reprehensible caste institution, from religious superstitions,
from the discordance of languages, conjoined with various