India, May 17 -- "Freedom can never be taken for granted. It always requires awareness, strength and austerity. I invite all of you to whatever religion or party or group you may belong to as comrades in this great struggle that has been forced upon us. I have full faith in our people and in the cause and in the future of our country," Prime Minister (PM) Jawaharlal Nehru said in a speech broadcast by All India Radio on October 22, 1962. China had attacked India, and despite many challenges, our forces were fighting on the northern borders. There was a massive response by the people to his call to action.

The secessionist movement in Tamil Nadu stopped. In one Rajasthan village, 250 families pledged to send their sons to the Army. All th...