JACQUELINE KENNEDY, HISTORIC CONVERSATIONS: SEVENTH CONVERSATION V
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today JFK+50 continues our report on the seventh conversation from "Jacqueline Kennedy, Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy," published by Hyperion.
The seventh conversation was recorded on June 3, 1964.
Arthur Schlesinger asks:
"How did the Indian trip, which you & Lee took, happen to come up?"
Jacqueline Kennedy responds:
"Well, Nehru brought it up when he was here...& Ken Galbraith* jumped on the idea."
*Kenneth Galbraith (1908-2006) was U.S. ambassador to India under JFK. Born in Iona Station, Ontario, Canada, he became a US citizen in 1937. He was a fellow at the University of Cambridge in England, taught at Harvard & Princeton & became a leading proponent of American liberalism.
JFK Welcomes Nehru
Andrews Air Force Base
J.K. Galbraith (far left)
November 6, 1961
Photo by Abbie Rowe, NPS
JFK Library Image
Mrs. Kennedy goes on to say that the original schedule for the trip to India was for a two week visit but that it was cut to "just mostly Rajasthan & around India."
Jackie continues....
"It was so funny, the difference between India & Pakistan, because India was really just getting to know Nehru, who did like Lee and me. And never mentioned Pakistan...& then there was Ken Galbraith & B. K. Nehru & Madame Pandit** & her sister. It was much more like a family group."
**Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900-1990) was sent by her brother, Prime Minister Nehru, to London, Moscow & Washington as his ambassador.
Jacqueline Kennedy
at Vijay Chowk
New Delhi, India
March 12, 1962
Photo by Cecil Stoughton
JFK Library Image
Mrs. Kennedy says she likes the Paks more than the Indians because "they're sort of more manly...."
She continues....
"Our trip was so exhausting that all through Pakistan, Lee & I were having nosebleeds every day & night. So we were really tired when we got home."
