Evening star., 1942-03-13
Envoy Says India Is Ready
To Fight But Needs Arms
Sir Girjo Bojpoi
Declares Nation Is
In War to Stoy
BY FRANK I. WELLER,
Wide World News Service.

BY FRANK I. WELLER,
Wide World News Service.
India's envoy. short Of leg but
long OF brain, wants more weapons
for Indias waiting manpower and
less concern for her independence.
Five-foot Sir Girja Bajpai (pro-
nounced Gur-jah Badge-pie) says
his country will get independence
whenever her own people can agree
on q constitution.
Sir Girja has . message for
America-"India hates the German
and Jap and is in this war to stay!"
She has increased her armed forces
from 10000 to 1000, 900. and could
muster 100000 II she had weapons
for them.
Tens Of thousands from all classes,
shouting Sat shiri akal" (truth is
eternaD ask every week to join. he
says, but must be refused for lack
Of fighting gear.
The War Comes First.
He ardently advocates Indian ma
tional independence, whenever there
no longer Is danger Of civil war be-
tween the 10000, 900 Moslems and
200 0,000,00 Hindus perennially at
each others throat for control OF
government.
Britain is ready whenever India is
ready for dominion status, he says,
but right now both are trying to
win q war against q common foe.
Sir Girja, who has . classical
English, French and Persian educa-
ton to round out his native culture,
now is serving his biggest job to
date-India's first diplomatic repre-
sentative to this country. Previously,
he had represented India all over
the world. He came to the Wash
ington Arms Limitation Conference
In 1922.
With the title Of Agent General
and Minister Plenipotentiary to the
United States, he was sent here re-
Gently because his vast V-shaped
homeland Of 10000 square miles
and 800, ,000, 900 population Is a pivot
Of British defense. Too, the Axis
may have picked 1t for union Of
Japanese and German Armies after
Hitler's spring offensive"
Old World Courtesy.
The Japanese thrust north in
Burma emphasizes the strategic i'm
portance Of India Is one Of the eight
leading industrial countries OF the
world. She makes 1.000, 900 tons of
finished steel year. small arms, and
she feeds and clothes the democ-
racies on the Far Eastern front.
Sir Girja Is a Brahmin Hindu, one
Of the four higher castles of Indias
complex racial and religious struc-
ture. He privately observes his
duties to deity but not always can
he be orthodox in public. As q men,
Der Of the Indian Civil Service. he
must mingle with persons not Of
his own race, belief and caste.
Omcial Washington was confused
about him at first. 1t wondered. for
instance. whether Secretary Hull
should exchange polite bows instead
OF the occidental handshake and
whether 1t should prof1er dinner in
vitations to this visitor from a land
Of strange customs. Sir Girja quickly
fixed that by shaking hands all
around and, with Old World cour-
tesy, inviting guests to his table.
A Difficult Moment.
For the orthodox Brahmin the
shadow of an unbeliever on his food
would have defiled 1t, and . hand
shake would have required hours OF
vigorous penance in the bathtub.
The Agent General, withal, did
give the National Press Club . dim
cult moment at its luncheon in his
honor. Hearty hosts thrice placed
meat before him and then, cha
grined. learned he declined each
time In difference to religious ab-
stinence from flesh and alcohol.
Although Sir Girja eats only fruits.
vegetables and highly spiced curries,
he serves his guests meat and drink.
His home in New Delhi is carefully
stocked with fine French wines.
Sir Girja hopes to visit United
States Hindu temple. If there be
one. Meantime he must retire at
proper daily periods to a makeshift
shrine in his household here dedi-
Gated to whichever Of India's several
hundred gods his family happens
to honor.
He Is as cosmopolitan as he Is
Oriental. His ONCE used to be .
private garage.
He is an oxford graduate and
dresses after the fashion Of the
Western world. His three sons do.
too, but his wife and four daughters