Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and various party leaders came together to pay tribute to India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on the 59th anniversary of his death.
Former party chief Rahul Gandhi expressed that Nehru’s legacy continues to stand tall, akin to a beacon, illuminating the essence of India and the values of freedom and democracy.
Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, party treasurer Pawan Bansal, and party general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal offered floral tributes to Nehru at the Shanti Van memorial in New Delhi.
In his remembrance of Nehru, Kharge shared one of his quotes on Twitter, “You don’t change the course of history by turning the faces of portraits to the wall.”
Acknowledging the contributions of the first Prime Minister, the Congress president stated, “The India of the 21st century cannot be envisioned without the remarkable contributions of Pandit Nehru. As a fearless guardian of democracy, his progressive ideas propelled India’s social, political, and economic development despite the challenges. I pay my respects to the ‘Jawahar of Hind’.”
Rahul Gandhi posted a video in tribute to his great-grandfather, Nehru, remarking, “Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s legacy stands tall, like a beacon, illuminating the idea of India and the values he dedicated his life for – freedom, democracy, secularism, and modernity. His vision and values always guide our conscience and actions.”
Priyanka Gandhi also paid homage to her great-grandfather, sharing an audio-video montage of the country’s first Prime Minister.
Venugopal took to Twitter and emphasized, “A legendary freedom fighter. A visionary Prime Minister. A democrat who laid the foundation of our Republic. A statesman respected worldwide. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru set an example for all his successors to follow. Remembering Pandit ji on his death anniversary.”
The official Twitter handle of the Congress also paid tribute to Nehru, stating, “We remember Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, our first Prime Minister and the ‘Architect of Modern India,’ on his death anniversary. He was a visionary who led the nation to great heights through a plethora of economic policies and industrial establishments.”
The party continued, “From the ‘Temples of Modern India,’ including IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, DRDO, and India’s industrial marvels, to India’s forays into nuclear and space research, it was under his leadership that India’s prowess amplified to an unprecedented magnitude. Today, we cherish the legacy of Pandit ji, who brought India to the world stage as a leading global power.”
Nehru played a prominent role in India’s freedom struggle and became the country’s first Prime Minister after Independence in 1947.
On May 27, 1964, Nehru breathed his last. He served as the Prime Minister for over 16 years, from 1947 until his death at the age of 74.
Known for his affection towards children, Nehru was fondly referred to as ‘Chacha Nehru’ (Uncle Nehru) by the younger generation, and his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day every year. (Edited)