India pays tribute to its first PM
Tributes came pouring in on India's first PM's 126th birthday with Narendra Modi being the first one to pay his tributes saying "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's life was spent in giving India freedom & leading India as the first PM". At Shantivan, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi all paid floral tributes to Nehru.
Jawaharlal Nehru was born in an affluent family in Allahabad originally from Kashmir, his father being a lawyer. He received education in England, at Harrow School, and then went on to attend Trinity College, Cambridge. He completed law from Inner Temple in London. In 1919, Nehru influenced by MK Gandhi, joined the Indian National Congress which was fighting for greater autonomy from the British.
By the close of World War II, Pandit Nehru was identified as Gandhi's heir. He played a pivotal part in the mediations over Indian independence. On 15 August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru became independent India's 1st PM. He held the office until his demise in 1964. He introduced moderate "socialist economic reforms and committed India to a policy of industrialisation."
Jawaharlal Nehru became a figure for developing a policy of 'positive neutrality' for India against the backdrop of the Cold War. He became one of the principal representatives for the non-aligned movement for countries like Africa and Asia, those that were former colonies that wanted to withdraw dependence on any primary power. He also spoke about the need for disarmament amongst the world power.
In India, Children's Day is celebrated on the 14th November commemorating Pandit Jawaharlal's birthday as he loved children and believed that they were India's future. This day is a reminder for everyone to reinvigorate their responsibility towards the well-being of children and to educate them to live by their Chacha Nehru's (as he was lovingly called) qualities and dreams.
Since 1954, Children's Day is universally celebrated on 20th November every year as declared by the United Nations.
A Google doodle celebrating Children's Day also featured which showcased P Karthik's drawing from Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, Andhra Pradesh.
