Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru
If Mahatma Gandhi is called the ‘Father of the Nation’, Jawahar Lal Nehru is regarded as the `Architect of modern India’. Nehru was one of the important leaders who led India to freedom. He shaped India’s destiny during his tenure as the Prime Minister of India.
On 14th November 1889, Jawahar Lal Nehru was born in Allahabad. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His father, Pandit Moti Lal Nehru, was one of the leading lawyers of India. Young Jawahar Lal was sent to England at the age of 15 for his higher studies. In England, he joined the Public School at Harrow. Later, in 1910, he went to Cambridge University where he attained his degree. Soon he joined law. After he returned to India, he started practicing Law at Allahabad High Court. He married to Kamla Devi at the age of 24.
Those were the days when Gandhi ji had returned from South Africa. Attracted by the charm and magic of Gandhiji, Jawahar Lal Nehru jumped into politics. He gave up his practice and joined the Non-co-operation movement started by Gandhi ji. He went to jail many times and became a fearless soldier of the freedom struggle. Prison life could not crush his spirit because he was determined to make his country independent. Without losing hopes, he struggled hard against the British Rule.
As the first Prime Minister of a newly Independent country, he discharged his duties very well. India 22made great progress under his guidance. To reduce the sufferings of people in India, he fought against hunger, poverty and unemployment. Once, the first President of free India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad had said, “The country is marching forward on the road of progress under the leadership of Pandit ji. This show how efficient and dedicated was Pt. Nehru.
Pt. Nehru shaped the destiny of India. He was a true lover of peace. He followed the policy of non-alignment with other countries. This showed his great vision and political understanding.
On 27th of May 1964, he passed away from this world. His death shocked the whole world. Apart from being a top-ranked political leader, Pt. Nehru was a good writer. His ‘My Autobiography’, The Discovery of India’ and ‘The Glimpses of World History’ earned wide name and fame. He loved children to the core of his heart. Children too loved him with same feeling and called him `Cha-cha Nehru’ or ‘Nehru Cha-cha’. As a mark of his love for children, every year his birthday is celebrated as the Children’s Day with great enthusiasm throughout the country.