Tributes reverberated on Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary, as Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and his great-grandson, underscored the need for Nehruvian values in today’s India. On social media, Gandhi expressed, “Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is a thought – of freedom, progress, justice. Mother India today needs these values of her ‘Jawahar of Hind’, like an ideology, in every heart.”
In the national capital, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi paid homage at Shantivan, acknowledging Nehru’s role as a key architect of modern India. Kharge emphasized Nehru’s vision of a democratic structure that accommodates diverse cultural, political, and socio-economic expressions to unify India.
“As we gather in Shanti Van, to pay our revered tributes to him, we must preserve, protect and defend India’s Constitution and our long-cherished Democratic institutions and principles — his enduring legacy,” Kharge remarked.
Varun Gandhi, BJP MP and another great-grandson of Nehru, lauded Nehru’s contributions to India’s social and economic foundations. He referred to Nehru as a true ‘national hero’ who advanced the ideals of democracy, socialism, and secularism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined in paying respects, tweeting, “Tributes to our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Ji on his birth anniversary.”
Born in Prayagraj in 1889, Nehru played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and was affectionately known as ‘Chacha Nehru.’ His emphasis on love and affection for children led to the celebration of his birthday as ‘Bal Diwas’ or Children’s Day in India. This day sees various activities organized for students nationwide, fostering a spirit of unity and commemoration of Nehru’s legacy. The remembrances on Nehru’s birth anniversary reflect his enduring influence on India’s political and cultural landscape.