Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the central figures of Indian politics during India's struggle for independence and the first Prime Minister of India was born on 14th November 1889 in Allahabad. As a son of an influential Indian barrister and politician he grew up in the lap of luxury with governesses and tutors. His early schooling was in India and at the age of 15 he went to England to attend the Harrow School. Later he joined Trinity College to study natural science. After this he joined Inner Temple in London to train himself as a barrister. He returned to India in 1912 and joined Allahabad High Court Bar. On 8th February 1916, at the age of 27 he married Kamla Kaul. Next year their only daughter, Indira, was born. 1920 proved to be the turning point in the life of anglicized Jawaharlal Nehru. Once traveling in train he overheard General Dyre gloating over Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He vowed to fight the imperial rule and joined Indian politics. He was strongly influenced by the Gandhian views and was the supporter of Mahatma Gandhi in freedom struggle. Under the influence of Gandhi he, along with his family, abandoned his western possessions and lifestyle and started using 'Swadeshi'. He was a very good orator and a prominent organizer. Soon he became one of the popular political leaders of north India. In 1924 he was elected as the president of Municipal Corporation of Allahabad. Dissatisfied by British officials and corruption amongst civil servants, he resigned from his post within two years. He was not in the favor of dominion status for India within the British Empire, as recommended by his father. He strongly criticized the Nehru report prepared by his father Motilal Nehru.

In 1929 he was elected the President of All India Congress Committee at the Lahore session. On December 31, 1929 he hoisted the flag of independence along the bank of river Ravi, and demanded Purna Swaraj, as the head of AICC, on 26th January 1930. He participated and encouraged the mass rebellion against the salt tax levied by the British government. As a result he was imprisoned. He was re-elected as a Congress President in 1936 and 1937. In 1937, after the electoral-victory of Congress, he refused to form an alliance with the Muslim League or Fazul Haque's Krishak Party, throwing Punjab and Bengal into the arms of the Muslim League. At the outbreak of World War II, he supported the British government, and demanded complete independence of India in return. When British government did not comply with the demands, 'Quit India' movement was launched. He was arrested along with other members of Congress Committee on 9th august 1942. He was released later when British Cabinet Mission arrived to propose the plan of transfer of power. He headed the Interim government, against Jinnah's will, which resulted in outbreak of communal violence and demand of separate Muslim state by the Muslim League. Unable to reach any common platform with the Muslim League Nehru supported the plan of partition of India as presented by the British government. He became the first prime minister of independent India at the stroke of midnight on 15th August 1947, and remained at this post until his death in 1964. He was a real visionary. In 1950 he charted out the course of India's development with his five year plans. He believed in 'Panchsheel', five principles of peaceful coexistence. He was not in the favor of mad race for arms and was a spearhead of Non-Alignment Movement. He believed in peaceful coexistence and thought that one socialist country would never attack another socialist country. But this proved to be wrong and China attacked India in 1962 leading to Sino-Indian conflict.

Jawaharlal Nehru died on 27th May 1964. During his lifetime he enjoyed an iconic status, and is remembered even today. His birthday 14th November is celebrated as Children's Day every year.

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