LEADER
OF THE DAY
JAWAHARLAL
NEHRU
Early
Life and Education
- Birth:
Born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, British India.
- Family Background:
Came from a wealthy and influential family; father, Motilal Nehru, was a
prominent lawyer and political leader.
- Education:
Educated in England; attended Harrow School and later Trinity College,
Cambridge.
- Legal Studies:
Studied law at the Inner Temple in London and became a barrister in 1912.
Entry
into Indian Politics
- Joining the Indian National Congress
(INC): Joined INC in 1919 under the influence of
Mahatma Gandhi.
- Involvement in Freedom Struggle:
Actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) and was
deeply influenced by Gandhi’s principles of non-violence and civil
disobedience.
- First Arrest:
Jailed for the first time in 1921 for his participation in anti-British
activities.
Rise
to Prominence
- President of INC:
Elected as President of the Indian National Congress for the first time in
1929 at the Lahore Session; declared the goal of 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence)
for India.
- Civil Disobedience Movement:
Played a key role in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934),
advocating for India’s independence.
- Multiple Imprisonments:
Imprisoned multiple times by the British authorities for his role in the
freedom struggle.
Role
in the Indian Independence Movement
- Tryst with Destiny Speech:
Delivered the iconic "Tryst with Destiny" speech on the eve of
India's independence on August 14, 1947.
- Prime Ministerial Leadership:
Became the first Prime Minister of independent India on August 15, 1947.
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
A key architect of India’s foreign policy, co-founding the NAM to maintain
neutrality during the Cold War.
Major
Contributions as Prime Minister
- Economic Policies:
Advocated for a mixed economy, combining elements of socialism and
capitalism. Focused on industrialization, economic planning, and the
establishment of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
- Five-Year Plans:
Initiated the first Five-Year Plan in 1951 to boost India’s economy,
focusing on agriculture, irrigation, and power projects.
- Educational Reforms:
Established institutions of higher education like the Indian Institutes of
Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
- Scientific Advancement:
Promoted scientific temper; set up institutions like the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) and Atomic Energy Commission.
Efforts
Towards National Integration
- Language Policy:
Advocated for Hindi as the national language while respecting India’s
linguistic diversity.
- Reorganization of States:
Oversaw the reorganization of Indian states based on linguistic lines in
1956.
- Social Reforms:
Introduced laws to abolish untouchability and improve the status of women,
such as the Hindu Code Bill.
Foreign
Policy and International Relations
- Panchsheel Agreement:
Formulated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with China in 1954,
emphasizing mutual respect and non-interference.
- Conflict with China:
Faced the Sino-Indian War in 1962, which strained India-China relations.
- Diplomatic Relations:
Strengthened India’s ties with the Soviet Union and pursued a policy of
non-alignment, maintaining independence from both the US and Soviet blocs.
Personal
Life
- Marriage and Family:
Married Kamala Kaul in 1916. The couple had one daughter, Indira Gandhi,
who later became the Prime Minister of India.
- Authorship:
A prolific writer, Nehru authored several books including 'The
Discovery of India', 'Glimpses of World History', and 'An
Autobiography'.
- Personal Interests:
Passionate about Indian culture, history, and nature; known for his love
for children, which earned him the title 'Chacha Nehru'.
Legacy
and Death
- Final Years:
Suffered a stroke in 1963; his health declined over the next year.
- Death:
Passed away on May 27, 1964, at the age of 74, marking the end of an era
in Indian politics.
- Legacy:
Remembered as the 'Architect of Modern India' for his contributions to the
foundation of a democratic and secular nation.