Goa Act “For Good Of People” Says Indian

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 21

Goa Act “For Good Of People” Says Indian

(Kew Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. January 29. India's act of stepping into Goa was not in conflict with her policy of non-aggression, said an Indian philosopher. Swami Premananda. at present visiting Auckland. ■ The whole administration in Goa was in a state of colapse,” Swami Premananda said. "If the Indian Government had not take action u pen it did. there would have been much more hardship and bloodshed. • The intervention was for the good of the people of Goa and for the morale of t.-e country itself.” The swami (which means teacher) left India in September. He attended a world peace congress in Japan in October and lectured in Canada and the United States before coming to New Zealand. After visting many counties and talking to thousands of people, including world leaders. Swami Premananda sa.d he did not believe there would be a world war within the next two decades at least. The idea of war created a tension which was doing great harm, both mentally and physically, he said. It was up to the world leaders to remove this strain. "It is especially important for people of Asian countries to be at peace,” he said. “At

present their main battle is cm an economic front. Millions have yet to be brought to even a minimum standard of living.”

Swann Premananda said there was a gap between eastern and western nations w.vich should be bridged. "The western world is generous in its material aid to eastern nations. But something is lacking. I feel a lot could be done wktti a little mhre understanding.”