Date: 28 December 1928
Location: Bombay
Speaker: Aga Khan III
Source: Speeches of Aga Khan III – K K Aziz
Full Text
The political situation in India – the pressing economic problem – depression in agriculture – improvements in agriculture through scientific methods – Hindu-Muslim co-operation for India’s welfare . . . . the Aga Khan … said that his views on the political situation in India were frequently expressed and were known to all. He would have another opportunity of restating them at the ensuing Moslem Conference at Delhi. It was, therefore, unnecessary for him to go into the question of the political situation which it was their duty to handle in a statesmanlike manner with due regard to realities. The Indian leaders should address themselves to finding out what ails India and to remedy it. To his mind the economic problem was one of the most pressing problems awai ting solution. On it depended the peace and progress of the country.
After a careful study of the recent industrial activities he had been forced to recognise that there was a great scope for improve ment in the economic condition by means of improvements in the sphere of agriculture, which was of the greatest importance to the economic well-being of the country. No doubt India would one day become a living industrial force, but at present the economic depression in agriculture which was the main industry of 80 per cent of the people, eclipsed commerce and other industries. Indians must study scientific methods in agriculture, give attention to the improvement in the breed of cattle and they would not be satisfied until they were able to get a larger yield from the soil at less cost and obtain better prices for the produce.
Prosperity in agriculture would relieve the pressure on Government appointments and clerical and other services and this would help to solve the economic trouble which was the cause of much unrest in the country.
In Germany and Belgium, where conditions were less favour able than in India, the scientific treatment of agriculture had produced very satisfactory results and His Highness hoped the recommendations of the Agricultural Commission would give an impetus to the use of scientific methods in agriculture and the improvement oflivestock. There should be greater concentration on agriculture and the Aga Khan declared that Lord Irwin during his Viceroyalty would be definitely enabled to make agriculture an attractive and profitable pursuit. …
Source: The Times of India, Bombay, 29 December 1928.
The Aga Khan arrived in Bombay on the morning of 28 December by the P. and D. mail boat R.ajputana. He was received by the Council of the Jama’at of the Ismailis and a deputation of the All India Muslim Conference led by Fazal Ibrahim Rahimtulla. From the port he drove first to the Jama’atkhana and then to his residence at Walkeshwar. He left on the following day for Delhi in order to preside over the first session of the newly-formed All India Muslim Conference.