Integrity Score 462
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Netaji rose and held out a gift-wrapped box to Hitler. Hitler beamed and excitedly opened it. Inside was a copper-coloured statue. Hitler stared at the bare-bodied figurine. Trott was surprised and amused. There was a Buddha seated in padmasana, the lotus pose, in Hitler’s hands. It was an unexpected choice of gift. Hitler kept looking at the statue for several minutes, unable to identify it. Flaring his nostrils, he demanded, “Who is this wrestler?”
“Lord Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist faith. He taught peace, ahimsa - non-violence and compassion”, answered Subhash.
“Peace? Ahimsa? Then is this gentleman senior or junior to Mr Gandhi?” Hitler asked, still examining the figure in his hands.
“Your Excellency, he is more senior than us all", Netaji replied calmly.
At first no one spoke. An expectant hush fell over the room. Who would break the silence? Eyes blinked rapidly. Then Hitler started to speak in German. Trott played the role of interpreter. Schmidt scribbled furiously, taking notes. Hitler’s face seemed to be glowing with a strange joy, his sharp eyes gave his personality an incredible magnetism.
With a smile, Hitler asked, “How was your stay in Berlin? And the work of the Free India Centre, the Indian Legion, is it progressing satisfactorily?”
Subhas had at the very outset expressed his gratitude for the assistance rendered by Germany. Now he explained his role - “Your Excellency, my desperate desire for a free India dragged me here. That we Indians will have to fight bitterly for our freedom was clear from the start. We are prepared to shed our blood, but we also need the support of friends like the three powers, Germany, Italy and Japan. Only then can we teach the British a lesson.”
Hitler laughed. “You appear to have won over Italy and Japan already! Of course, that pleases me.”
Like two wrestlers sizing each other up before a bout by throwing a fistful of earth at each other, or a couple of veteran thespians exchanging witty quips onstage, these two giant men engaged each other in repartee and retort.