Jawaharlal Nehru
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Jawaharlal Nehru
Freedom fighter, India's first prime minister, noble statesman, social reformer and erudite scholar - throughout his life Jawaharlal Nehru donned many hats and all with poise and equanimity. His immense contribution to the freedom movement notwithstanding, Jawaharlal Nehru's appropriate place in Indian history would be that of the architect of free India.Entrusted with the responsibility of leading the free nation and delivering on the promise made to the millions of countrymen, Jawaharlal Nehru played a definitive role in laying the basic building blocks of a socialist democratic nation. Apart from launching a range of initiatives to facilitate development in all sectors, Nehru enriched the soul of the nation with the tenets of secularism, social justice and non-alignment.
While Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a beloved leader of the masses in the freedom struggle, his tenure as India's prime minister was marked by many controversies. He was accused of nepotism consequent to the election of daughter Indira as the Congress president in 1959. Many alleged that Nehru's pacifist policies caused Indian Army's humiliating defeat in the 1962 Chinese invasion. Jawaharlal has been dubbed by many historians as an aristocrat who never connected with the masses the way other leaders did.
Facts about Jawaharlal Nehru
Both as a freedom fighter and as India's prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was in the public limelight al his life. Still the general public is unaware of many aspects of his personality and life. Following are some facts and information on Jawaharlal Nehru:
The Nehru- Gandhi Dynasty
Jawaharlal Nehru was the patriarch of the Nehru-Gandhi family, which is often called the First Family of Indian politics. Over the years, the term Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has been more frequently used, given that three members of this family have become Prime Minister of India. Apart from Nehru, the other two are Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi and Indira's son Rajeev Gandhi. After Rajeev's assassination, his wife Sonia Gandhi has been chosen the President of the Congress Party.
Children's Day/Chacha Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru was well-known for his love for children and he took many steps to ensure educational development of Indian children. Nehru's birthday, November 14, is celebrated in India as Children's Day. Children addressed him as Chacha Nehru which means Uncle Nehru.
The Discovery of India
'The Discovery of India' was a manifestation of Nehru's wisdom and literary genius. Widely regarded a classic among books by Indian authors, Discovery of India chronicles the growth of the Indian nation from the days of Indus Valley Civilization to the British Raj. Nehru wrote this book during his incarceration from 1942-1946 after the Quit India movement.
Nehru Jacket
The ubiquitous Nehru Jacket is named after Jawaharlal Nehru who took to wearing this attire after shunning his Western wardrobe. Barring the distinctive stand-up collar, the Nehru Jacket is similar to the waistcoats or suit jackets. It is the preferred formal wear for many Indian politicians.
The Nehru- Gandhi Dynasty
Jawaharlal Nehru was the patriarch of the Nehru-Gandhi family, which is often called the First Family of Indian politics. Over the years, the term Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has been more frequently used, given that three members of this family have become Prime Minister of India. Apart from Nehru, the other two are Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi and Indira's son Rajeev Gandhi. After Rajeev's assassination, his wife Sonia Gandhi has been chosen the President of the Congress Party.
Children's Day/Chacha Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru was well-known for his love for children and he took many steps to ensure educational development of Indian children. Nehru's birthday, November 14, is celebrated in India as Children's Day. Children addressed him as Chacha Nehru which means Uncle Nehru.
The Discovery of India
'The Discovery of India' was a manifestation of Nehru's wisdom and literary genius. Widely regarded a classic among books by Indian authors, Discovery of India chronicles the growth of the Indian nation from the days of Indus Valley Civilization to the British Raj. Nehru wrote this book during his incarceration from 1942-1946 after the Quit India movement.
Nehru Jacket
The ubiquitous Nehru Jacket is named after Jawaharlal Nehru who took to wearing this attire after shunning his Western wardrobe. Barring the distinctive stand-up collar, the Nehru Jacket is similar to the waistcoats or suit jackets. It is the preferred formal wear for many Indian politicians.
Philosophy of Jawaharlal Nehru
Apart form his role as a freedom fighter and a statesman, Jawaharlal Nehru is widely regarded the founding ideologue of the Indian Republic. Education in some of the best institutions, extensive travel in Europe and a sound grasp of world history all contributed towards shaping the thoughts and philosophy of Jawaharlal Nehru. Throughout the freedom struggle Nehru remain devoted to Gandhian principles and the precepts of nonviolent movement.
Much of the initiatives launched by Jawaharlal Nehru as India's prime minister were the manifestations of his philosophy and beliefs. Right from his youth Nehru espoused socialism and as the head of state, he laid the foundation of a socialist economy. Under him, the Indian government exerted control over the fundamental sectors of the economy and spawned mammoth public sector enterprises.
Jawaharlal Nehru also projected India as a secular nation and promoted religious tolerance. He believed that secularism will act as the uniting force in the diverse, multi-religious Indian society. Besides taking steps to improve the status of Indian women, Nehru also created frameworks for better representation of minorities and socially disadvantaged groups in government service.
On the international front, non-alignment was basic premise of the philosophy of Nehru. He was one of the co-founders of the Non-Alignment Movement representing nations that maintained neutrality in the East-West confrontation of the Cold War era. Nehru was one of the architects of the doctrine of Panchsheel which was drawn up to improve relations between India and China after the annexation of Tibet by the Chinese.
Much of the initiatives launched by Jawaharlal Nehru as India's prime minister were the manifestations of his philosophy and beliefs. Right from his youth Nehru espoused socialism and as the head of state, he laid the foundation of a socialist economy. Under him, the Indian government exerted control over the fundamental sectors of the economy and spawned mammoth public sector enterprises.
Jawaharlal Nehru also projected India as a secular nation and promoted religious tolerance. He believed that secularism will act as the uniting force in the diverse, multi-religious Indian society. Besides taking steps to improve the status of Indian women, Nehru also created frameworks for better representation of minorities and socially disadvantaged groups in government service.
On the international front, non-alignment was basic premise of the philosophy of Nehru. He was one of the co-founders of the Non-Alignment Movement representing nations that maintained neutrality in the East-West confrontation of the Cold War era. Nehru was one of the architects of the doctrine of Panchsheel which was drawn up to improve relations between India and China after the annexation of Tibet by the Chinese.
Nehru as Prime Minister
Whenever one sets about assessing the life and works of Jawaharlal Nehru, the realization invariably dawns that Nehru's contribution to India's destiny as its first prime minister was in no way less significant than his pivotal role in the freedom struggle. Come to think about it, Nehru's very election as the prime ministerial candidate was steeped in bitter controversy and his initial days in office were marked by a wave of intense communal violence sweeping across the country.
As being chosen as Independent India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the Constituent Assembly of India on the eve of India's Independence and in a soul-stirring speech entitled 'A Tryst with Destiny,' he passionately enumerated the responsibilities that come with freedom. Nehru envisioned a socialist India and the first step towards this end was taken with the setting up of the Planning Commission of India and the first Five-Year Plan in 1951.
Pandit Nehru realized that modernization and technological development were vital to the growth of the nascent Indian economy and the government took upon itself the task of establishing strategic industries. Public sector enterprises became the pillars of the economy while the government concentrated on providing electricity, healthcare and roads to the rural population. Efforts were also made to augment agricultural production and to alleviate poverty.
Simultaneously Jawaharlal Nehru's government invested heavily on setting up of educational institutions of pre-eminence such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management. Nehru also envisaged plans to ensure free and compulsory elementary education for rural children. He espoused the doctrine of secularism and launched initiatives to improve the status of socially disadvantaged groups.
Nehru was also India's foreign minister and under him non-alignment became the guiding principle of India's foreign policy. Despite entrenched acrimonies, he tried to improve India's relations with China and signed the 1954 Sino-Indian treaty based on the tenets of Pancha Sila. However due to his pacifist nature, needs of Indian armed forces were put on the backburner and only the defeat of the Indian Army at the hands of the Chinese in 1962 finally made him woke up to this reality. This humiliating episode alone took much of the sheen from his invaluable contribution to the nation as its prime minister.
As being chosen as Independent India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the Constituent Assembly of India on the eve of India's Independence and in a soul-stirring speech entitled 'A Tryst with Destiny,' he passionately enumerated the responsibilities that come with freedom. Nehru envisioned a socialist India and the first step towards this end was taken with the setting up of the Planning Commission of India and the first Five-Year Plan in 1951.
Pandit Nehru realized that modernization and technological development were vital to the growth of the nascent Indian economy and the government took upon itself the task of establishing strategic industries. Public sector enterprises became the pillars of the economy while the government concentrated on providing electricity, healthcare and roads to the rural population. Efforts were also made to augment agricultural production and to alleviate poverty.
Simultaneously Jawaharlal Nehru's government invested heavily on setting up of educational institutions of pre-eminence such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management. Nehru also envisaged plans to ensure free and compulsory elementary education for rural children. He espoused the doctrine of secularism and launched initiatives to improve the status of socially disadvantaged groups.
Nehru was also India's foreign minister and under him non-alignment became the guiding principle of India's foreign policy. Despite entrenched acrimonies, he tried to improve India's relations with China and signed the 1954 Sino-Indian treaty based on the tenets of Pancha Sila. However due to his pacifist nature, needs of Indian armed forces were put on the backburner and only the defeat of the Indian Army at the hands of the Chinese in 1962 finally made him woke up to this reality. This humiliating episode alone took much of the sheen from his invaluable contribution to the nation as its prime minister.
Jawaharlal Nehru Quotes
Jawaharlal Nehru was a man of great wisdom. Nehru was bestowed with a sublime eloquence which helped him connect with both common masses and noble statesmen with equal ease. A number of famous quotes have been ascribed to him which embody Nehru's beliefs and principles. Given below are some quotes by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru:
- The only alternative to coexistence is codestruction.
- Facts are facts and will not disappear on account of your likes.
- Action itself, so long as I am convinced that it is right action, gives me satisfaction.
- Crises and deadlocks when they occur have at least this advantage, that they force us to think.
- Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.
- A leader or a man of action in a crisis almost always acts subconsciously and then thinks of the reasons for his action.
- Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse.
- It is only too easy to make suggestions and later try to escape the consequences of what we say.
- The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.
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