New Delhi, May 18 -- "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..."

Jawaharlal Nehru gave this speech on All India Radio on 22 October 1962 after China's attack. 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 strikes and movements were suspended. Women bought wool from the money saved in their piggy banks, rice canist...