WE still celebrate Ben Chifley as "A leader for the people, loved by the people" as your editorial has reminded us (July 14).
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Here in Bathurst we also enjoy an interesting connection with India thanks to Chifley.
When I settled in Bathurst with my family 45 years ago, I was puzzled by the statue of Indian Prime Minister Nehru in Peace Park and why we have a wooden bench in our library entrance presented by the people of India.
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I now realise these result from Chifley's warm relation with Nehru.
At a key conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in London in 1949, Chifley had several conversations over breakfast with Nehru.
It was Chifley who played an important role in finding a formula to allow India to remain within the Commonwealth despite becoming an independent republic.
Our Ben Chifley was loved not only by Bathurst people but also by leaders of India.