Tag Archives: Jawaharlal Nehru

Homage to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime minister of Independent India on his 56th death anniversary.

27 Wednesday May 2020

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Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the most acclaimed leader of the Independence struggle next to Mahatma Gandhi only. He was the undisputed claimant as the first Prime Minister of independent India. His entire family from his father Motilal Nehru, sister Vijayalaxmi Pandit and daughter Indira Gandhi was connected with the Independence movement in one way or other. was attracted to the USSRand socialism. His ‘Socialist Pattern of society’ slogan was accepted by the Avadi Congress, but it was only partly implemented and later was completely forsaken. Non-alignment was a powerful movement, but that also did not last much after him. The creation of Public Sector and its growth in the first two decades is clearly his contribution. His speech on 15th August 1947 on the ramparts of Red Fort is a memorable, which echoed throughout the country.

I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister  Pandit Nehru during 1957/ 58. He had come to Tellicherry and was to address a public meeting there which was massively participated. I was working as a school teacher and had come to hear him. I wanted to get his autograph. I had a small box camera with me and along with the press photographers I went near to him and took a photo. I utilised the opportunity by requesting for an autograph. He readily agreed and signed in my small autograph book.

As a P and T worker, later I read that Jawaharlal Nehru supported the 1946 Posts and Telegraph Strike and was also partly  instrumental in its settlement with almost all the demands accepted by the British Government. But as the Prime Minister of India, he called the Central government Employees’ historical strike of July 1960 as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and suppressed it  by using all the brute force at the hands of the government including the ‘Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance’ promulgated.

There is no doubt that he was a man of destiny and had the opportunity to lead free India for more than 17 years.

Homage to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 56th death anniversary!

 

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru – The First Prime Minister of India

26 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in History, Obituary, Tributes, Uncategorized

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51 years have passed by 27th May 2015 after the death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964. As the First Prime Minster of India, he had to face many critical issues concerning the governance, the political legacy, international connections and so on. Some times it was felt that he was a socialist, but some other time he was almost a dictator. It was only natural since he was almost the undisputed leader.

The latest disclosure that he kept an intelligence watch on Subhas Chandra Bose and  his family etc. has opened a new debate on his role.

Although not connected with the assessment of Nehru or his government, I may narrate a small incident, when I could meet Prime Minister Nehru. He was visiting Tellicherry and a public meeting was arranged. It was in 1956 or ’57.  The security, black cats, Z category etc. were not at that time. I was working as a Teacher. I wanted to meet Nehru and get his autograph since I used collect such autographs. I tried to go near him, but the party leaders were not allowing. I had a small camera with me. (It was very rare for people to have camera during those periods. This was a camera gifted to me by a German pen friend. ) I pretended to be a press person and with the camera started taking photos. This way I could go near Nehru and get his autograph. When asked for the autograph he signed in the book smilingly.

There is no doubt that Jawaharlal Nehru was a charming personality. Probably, he was the best person to lead the country at that time. We can leave it to the historians to assess the same.

However ” Chacha Nehru” was a hero of the children. At the same time we had the unforgettable experience of the 1960 strike which was suppressed by the Prime Minister calling it “Civil Rebellion” and using all the brute powers of  the government. That also is part of history.

My respectful homage to Jawaharlal Nehru on his 51st death anniversary.

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125th Birth Anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru Today, 14th November 2014 is the 125th death anniversary of the Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India and visionary who laid out the fundamentals for the new India. He was the architect of modern India and also leader of the Non-Alignment movement. His ‘Socialist Pattern of Society’ could not survive him for much time, though. But the Congress and its leaders have forgotten the Nehru legacy and have moved far away in to the thick jungle of corruption and neo-liberal policies putting the people in to more and misery. On this occasion, I remember the day in 1956 or 1957 when I had the opportunity to see him and take his photo. It was when I was working as a teacher that he came to Tellicherry in Kerala. I wanted to get his autograph, but the security did not allow me to go nearby. I had a camera with me, presented to me by a foreign pen friend. (Cameras were not much in use at that time). After a few minutes with the camera I went near the PM. Security might have thought that I was from the press and allowed. I went nearby took a photo and got an autograph also. Respectful Homage to the Architect of New India!

14 Friday Nov 2014

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125th Birth Anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru
Today, 14th November 2014 is the 125th death anniversary of the Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India and visionary who laid out the fundamentals for the new India. He was the architect of modern India and also leader of the Non-Alignment movement. His ‘Socialist Pattern of Society’ could not survive him for much time, though.
But the Congress and its leaders have forgotten the Nehru legacy and have moved far away in to the thick jungle of corruption and neo-liberal policies putting the people in to more and misery.
On this occasion, I remember the day in 1956 or 1957 when I had the opportunity to see him and take his photo. It was when I was working as a teacher that he came to Tellicherry in Kerala. I wanted to get his autograph, but the security did not allow me to go nearby. I had a camera with me, presented to me by a foreign pen friend. (Cameras were not much in use at that time). After a few minutes with the camera I went near the PM. Security might have thought that I was from the press and allowed. I went nearby took a photo and got an autograph also.
Respectful Homage to the Architect of New India!

Remembering Jawaharlal Nehru

26 Sunday May 2013

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Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India and leader of the freedom movement, next only to the father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, died on 27th May 1964. Next year, 1914, 50 years will be over after his death. ‘After Nehru, Who?’ was an oft asked question in the early part of the 1960s, because it was felt that nobody can fill up the vaccum. But now, what  after Nehru is known to all and is history.

What happened to the policy of Nehru? That is the relevant question now. The post-independence government had many commitments to the nation and an effort was made  to to honour them. The slogan of ‘socialist pattern of society’ was raised. Starting of Public Sector was a well planned move to bring infrastructure in the country. The Non- Alignment Policy was initiated. Some kind of a good start. Almost after five decades, what is the situation?

The country is still ruled by the first family.  But there is much change, change for the worst. The Non-Alignment Policy has been abandoned. Public sector Units are being disinvested and handed over to corporates for paltry sums. MNCs are given all freedom to exploit the country.  Prices have gone up mountain-high. Corruption has been institutionalised. Valuable natural resources of the country are transferred to MNCs and corporates. Employment in government, both state and Central,  has  come down to 50% of what it was. Rights of the workers and social security measures are denied one after another. Even pension has been attacked. Rich has become richer and poor, poorer.

There is no need to explain more. The ruling classes have started an all round attack on the livelihood of the workers and the common people. The people are now facing the biggest challenge of how to survive and improve their condition.

Are we ready to face the challenge and fight back. It is only through the united struggle of the working class and the common people, that the anti-people policy can be changed. Are we ready?

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