This educational film “India, Asia’s New Voice” was produced by The March of Time and dates to 1949, just two years after Indian Independence. At the time, the West greatly feared that India, like China, might succumb to Communism. The film recaps the events leading up to independence from the British, including the Partition of India and Pakistan. The film starts in January of 1949 as the voice of India’s new Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru is heard. He speaks out to, and for, the over 320 million newly liberated Indians – and for all Asia as well. Newscasters speak over radio broadcasts announcing to the world that “a resurgent New Asia no longer intends to take a secondary role in world affairs”. Map of Asia is shown 1:00. General Chiang Kai-shek steps down after 22 years 1:20. The hope of salvaging democracy in Asia was left to India 1:50. In 1921 Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi comes on the world stage 2:21. In World War II, the British send Sir Stafford Cripps to offer India dominion status when the war should end. Viscount Mountbatten creates feeling of good will and in 1947 the new Indian government is formed. Pakistan is separated, 3:25. The Punjab is separated as well. Mass killings ensue, 3:41. Mass migration out of India; people leave Pakistan and move to India. Muslims move in the other direction to Pakistan 4:28. 10 million people are uprooted 4:33. Camps along the side of the road 4:53. Railroad system is inadequate for the traveling strain 5:14. Armed guards are assigned to protect the travelers 5:25. Riots and mass killings are common 5:35. Kashmir. Should it join Pakistan? Nehru brings troops in from the south to quell uprisings 6:17. In New Delhi, Gandhi embarks on a fast in protest of the violence 6:45. A Hindu fanatic from an extremist faction assassinates Gandhi 6:54. Fighting and riots immediately cease 7:15. Gandhi dies a martyr 7:25. With peace established, the government is attempting to weld India’s diverse elements into a United, modern state 7:40. Prime Minister Nehru calls upon many political factions and religious groups to create a modern democratic state 8:00. India has many natural resources that are undeveloped 8:15. The railroad system, the world’s fourth largest, is grossly inadequate 8:40. Railroad and radio stations are government owned and operated 9:00. Music is a common dialect that all can understand 9:10. Radio receivers and electricity are hard to come by 9:40. Tata Enterprises own many businesses 10:15. Tata invest heavily in many industries in India 10:38. Women work in factories 10:45. Men work in cotton mills 10:55. Air India is Tata controlled 11:06. The upper classes are a small portion of the total population 11:50. 90% of all Indians live on the soil farming earning five cents a day 12:20. The caste system keeps people chained to the past 13:15. Vegetarian meal is prepared by an erudite Indian scholar 13:43. The man eats from a banana leaf purified with holy water and he cannot touch his hand to his mouth while he eats 14:00. The outcasts or untouchables live huddled together in segregated villages working at menial tasks. Untouchables are literally that – other Indians will not touch them 14:36. The untouchables are now allowed to attend school 15:00. The government has plans for expanding the standard of living in the overall economy 15:40. Large irrigation projects are underway 15:55. Farming methods must be revolutionized 16:25. Men work in a quarry 16:50.The end.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com