The Architect of Modern India – Jawaharlal Nehru

Within one hundred metre there should be a school for every children.                                                 Every rickshaw puller (rickshaw was a popular vehicle carrying people from place to place at that time) should know politics as much as I know.

The above statements of Jawaharlal Nehru indicates his mind. He loved children and inturn children loved him too. Nehru’s birthday 14^th November is celebrated as children’s day. Nehru was a visionary and an idealist and statesman of international stature. Nehru was also an outstanding writer. Nehru took a central role in India’s struggle for freedom from British colonial rule. Nehru was interested in all subjects and was delighted in sharing his enthusiasm with everyone.

When India attained freedom in 1947, Nehru became the first prime minister of free India. India was recognised as a backward country at that time. Nehru set out to realise his vision India. The constitution of India was adopted in 1950 and Nehru embarked ambitious programmes of economy, social and political reforms.

Nehru believed in democracy and socialism. He laid the strong foundation for the democratic India in which multi-party system was adopted. Command economy was his financial policy. He started around 245 major public sector industries. B.E.L, H.A.L, I.T.I and H.M.T were among the major industries. In the field of education, Nehru established premier institutions such as I.I.T, I.I.M, and N.I.T. he also gave adequate attention for the development of science. He established the atomic energy commission of India.

Nehru’s foreign policy Panchsheel was acclaimed as the best foreign policy by all major advanced countries in the world. Panchsheel became the basis of governance of relation between the two states.

Nehru was the only son of Motilal Nehru, a prominent advocate and Swaroopa Rani. Nehru married Kamala and had a son who lived a short life and a daughter, Indira who later became the Prime Minster of India. When Indira was young he wrote letters to her about nature, this world and this life. He instilled the love of history and naturein his daughter Indira.

Nehru’s health began to decline. The major reason for this was the betrayal of trust by China when it attacked India in 1962. Nehru died on 27^th May 1964 .His wish was expressed in his writings like this : “If any person choose to think of me then I should like them to say, this was the man who with all his mind and heart loved India and the Indians.” and the people in turn were indulgent to him and gave him their love most abundantly and extravagantly.

Nehruji, today the 14^th of November is your birthday. “Happy Birthday Chacha Nehru”!  we remember your dedication, your love for the motherland forever.