Jawaharlal Nehru - A tribute

Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru was a freedom fighter, prolific author, philosopher, influential speaker, visionary leader, the first Prime Minister of independent India, the architect of modern democratic India and my favourite leader.

Nehru is also fondly remembered as "Chacha Nehru" (Uncle Nehru) due to his immense affection for children, whose birthday (November 14th) is celebrated as Children's Day in India.

This is a small tribute to honour the life and work of a truly remarkable leader, and to celebrate his many achievements in the Freedom struggle and in nation building.

Freedom Struggle:

• Active Participation in Freedom struggle:  He actively participated in all major movements for independence from British rule, including the:
• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)
• Salt March (Satyagraha) (1930)

o   Quit India Movement (1942)

• Advocacy for "Purna Swaraj: As President of the Indian National Congress at the Lahore Session in 1929, Nehru passed the historic "Purna Swaraj" (complete independence) resolution, declaring full self-rule as India's goal, moving away from the demand for dominion status.
• Imprisonment: For his anti-government activities, Nehru was arrested and imprisoned by the British authorities nine times, spending a cumulative total of approximately nine years in jail between 1921 and 1945.

·        Many of his notable books, including The Discovery of India and Glimpses of World History, were written during these periods of incarceration. These books showed his deep understanding of History and Indian Civilization and his mastery of English prose. His works reveal a deep love for India's cultural heritage, blending historical insight with moral reflection.

• Leadership Role: Nehru emerged as the leader within the Congress, helping to transform the movement into a mass movement that appealed to people from diverse backgrounds across the country. Jawaharlal Nehru travelled extensively across the length and breadth of India to mobilize support for the freedom movement. He travelled extensively by car, train, and on foot to reach remote villages and small towns. This direct engagement helped the Indian National Congress establish legitimacy among the peasantry and broadened the freedom struggle's base beyond urban centres.
• Negotiations: Mahatma Gandhi was the pivotal figure in the freedom struggle and Nehru was a key participant in the negotiations with the British government and the Muslim League that eventually led to India's independence and the partition of the subcontinent in 1947

Nation Building:

·       First Prime Minister- Upon India gaining independence on August 15, 1947, Nehru delivered his famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech and was sworn in as the nation's first Prime Minister as head of the interim government, a position he held until the first general election was conducted after the new Constitution was adopted. He won the next 2 elections as well and served as the elected Prime Minister until his death in May 1964, a tenure of nearly 17 years. 

Tryst with destiny speech:

Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity 

·       Strong democratic foundation- As India's first Prime Minister (1947-1964), Jawaharlal Nehru made significant achievements in establishing a strong democratic foundation, driving economic development, promoting science and technology, and shaping India's foreign policy. 

      Nehru was instrumental in building a strong, secular, and democratic nation from over 500 autonomous princely states and diverse communities. Sardar Patel was a crucial figure in Nehru's government, serving as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, and playing a pivotal role in integrating the 562 princely states into the Indian Union.

      He adhered strictly to constitutional norms, allowing for free and fair elections, which solidified India's democratic traditions, a rare feat among newly independent nations at the time.

      Scientific Temper: He emphasized the importance of a scientific approach to life and progress. He was instrumental in promoting scientific research and industrialization that laid a strong foundation for further development.

      Jawaharlal Nehru founded or supported numerous institutions crucial to India's development:

Democratic and administrative institutions

• Election Commission of India: Though a constitutional body, Nehru's support for its independence and authority was crucial in establishing India's democratic electoral process.
• The Supreme Court of India: While having tense relationship with the courts regarding the balance between parliamentary power and judicial review, Nehru demonstrated a commitment to judicial integrity.  For example, in 1959, Nehru wrote to the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge to express his regret for remarks he made that were perceived as criticism of a judge involved in the Mundhra affair inquiry.
• The Parliament of India: Nehru's leadership was central to establishing and respecting parliamentary democracy and cabinet government in the nascent republic. Nehru promoted a culture of debate, deliberation, and respect for parliamentary procedures. He led by example and India flourished as a democracy, while several countries that attained independence in that time-period fell into dictatorship.

Scientific institutions

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): Though formally established in 1969, its foundation was laid under Nehru's patronage with the creation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, led by scientist Vikram Sarabhai.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): Established in 1954 as the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay, it was renamed in honour of Homi J. Bhabha and remains the hub of India's nuclear program.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Created in 1942, Nehru vigorously supported and expanded this network of national laboratories to promote scientific and industrial research.

Educational and scientific institutions

• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs): Nehru founded the first of these premier technical education centres, starting with IIT Kharagpur in 1951. These institutions were designed to provide world-class technical personnel to drive India's technological and industrial growth.    
• Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs): To develop management expertise, Nehru was instrumental in establishing the first IIMs, starting with IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad in 1961.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi: This world-class medical college and hospital was established in 1956 to advance medical education, research, and patient care.
• Kendriya Vidyalayas (Central Schools): Introduced in 1963, this network of schools was started to provide a uniform curriculum and quality education for the children of Central Government employees. 
• UGC: Nehru, as India's first Prime Minister, oversaw the government under which the UGC was established. It was formally inaugurated by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the then Minister of Education.
• In addition, his government launched mass village enrolment programs and built thousands of schools, committing to free and compulsory primary education in the Five-Year Plans. Adult education centres and vocational schools were also established, especially in rural areas.

Planning and economic institutions

• Planning Commission: Founded in 1950, this body was created to oversee the Five-Year Plans for the economic development of India, a key pillar of Nehru's mixed-economy model.
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC): Established in 1956 after the nationalization of the life insurance industry, the LIC became a crucial state-owned financial institution.
• Heavy Industries: Key public sector undertakings, such as the Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and many more were established during his tenure to build a strong industrial base.
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC): Formed in 1956, this public sector enterprise was created to explore and develop India's oil and gas resources. 
• Major dams: Large-scale irrigation and power projects, including the Bhakra-Nangal Dam and the Hirakud Dam, were initiated during Nehru's leadership to boost agricultural output and provide electricity.

Social and cultural institutions

• National Library of India: Founded in Kolkata in 1948, it is the largest library in India by volume and a library of public record.
• National Institute of Design (NID): Established in 1961 in Ahmedabad, NID was created to train designers and encourage creative innovation.

• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC): Founded in 1957, KVIC was designed to promote small-scale and cottage industries and assist rural development. 
• Film and Television Institute of India (FTII): Established in 1960 to promote and develop India's film and television industry.
• National Film Archives of India: Founded in 1964 to preserve and study Indian cinema.
• National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA): Established in 1954, it is India's premier institution for modern and contemporary Indian art.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi: An autonomous body dedicated to preserving and promoting performing arts.
• Lalit Kala Akademi: An autonomous body for the promotion of visual arts. 

• Sahitya Akademi: An autonomous body for the promotion of Indian literature and languages.

• Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR): An organization that aims to foster and promote cultural relations with other countries. 

Key Cities Developed

• Chandigarh: Nehru described this city as "symbolic of the freedom of India, unfettered by the traditions of the past... an expression of the nation's faith in the future". Conceived after the 1947 Partition left Punjab without its former capital, Lahore, it was the first planned modern city in India. Nehru commissioned the famous Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier to design the city, which is known for its meticulous urban planning, unique architecture, and the Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Bhubaneswar: Nehru was personally involved in the planning and development of Bhubaneswar, the new capital of Odisha.
• Gandhinagar: The capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, was also inspired by the urban planning experience of Chandigarh and developed during the post-independence era, reflecting the influence of the Nehruvian vision for modern Indian cities.
• Chittaranjan: This city, located in West Bengal, was planned and developed as a railway manufacturing hub, another example of the industrial "temples of modern India" that Nehru promoted. 

In conclusion

While he laid strong foundations for a modern democratic India, there are detractors who question his handling of the partition, Kashmir accession etc. But they fail to remember that in 1947, India faced a weak situation due to a

o   stagnant, underdeveloped economy

o   low agricultural productivity

o   almost no modern industry

o   a low literacy rate of just 12%

o   a large but under-resourced army with little money to support.

o   Vast number of people burdened by poverty

o   social stratification left by colonial rule.

o   565 princely states with varying degree of control by British rule

o   Communal riots provoked by partition

It was his towering stature that held together a fledgling nation that was vulnerable on so many different fronts and his policies laid a strong foundation for a modern democratic India.

Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy continues to be acknowledged and celebrated by various world leaders and international bodies, who remember him as an international statesman, the architect of modern India, and a key figure in the Non-Aligned Movement.

I am thankful that a great visionary leader like Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first Prime Minister, his stature keeping the country together in turbulent times and his vision and leadership laid the foundations for a strong and vibrant democratic nation.