Letters from a father to his daughter

By Jawaharlal Nehru

Sinhala translation - W.O.T. Fernando

This publication is the Sinhala translation of Nehru's 'Letters from a father to his daughter'.

Forward: Priyanka Gandhi

Among the heirlooms that we treasure in our family are the letters which my grandmother, Indira Gandhi, received from her father when she was a young girl. Jawaharlal Nehru,even when he was fighting for India's freedom, wanted his daughter not to grow up as a narrow nationalist, but regard the whole world as her home. And although he was a deeply-read scholar, he knew how to write for children in a way that would kindle and hold their interest.

There were two series of these letters. The first dealt with the early story of our Earth and the second dealt with the history of humankind. They were both later published in book form under the titles 'Letters from a Father to His Daughter' and 'Glimpses of World History'. They achieved wide popularity and have been read by three generations of young people since their publication more than sixty years ago. My father in his time and I myself were brought up on them.

I am glad that 'Letters from a Father to His Daughter' is being published in Sinhala. Compared to the days when the book was written, young people everywhere have more sources of information and knowledge. Even so it is enriching to be guided by a man of Jawaharlal Nehru's intellectual eminence and vision. My good wishes to the young friends of Sri Lanka who read this book.