Pt Jawaharlal Nehru

Today is the 131st birth anniversary of late Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his contribution to the Indian politics and governance is considered remarkable. Nehru was fondly referred to as Chahcha Nehru? due to his fondness of children.

Here are some lesser known facts about Nehru?

1. Born on 14th November 1889 to Motilal and Swarup Rani Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru was a Kashmiri Pandit; hence he was called as Panditji. 

2. He was the first Prime Minister of India who served from 15th August 1947 to 27th May 1964 (18 years), making him the longest serving Prime Minister of India till date.

3.He was also the only Indian PM to hold Defence Ministry, Finance Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs during his term as PM.

4.  Nehru was an excellent orator and writer. He authored books like The Discovery of India, Glimpses of World History and many others. His famous speech Tryst with Destiny? is considered as the first voice of Independent India.

5. He was an avid reader too. Nehru was fond of Natural Sciences and world politics. He was a graduate from Trinity College of Cambridge in UK. Later on he went to London to study law and was called at the Bar in 1912. 

6. Pandit Nehru was awarded The Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian honour) by Indian President Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1955, without consulting Nehru, then PM.

7. Nehru met Mahatma Gandhi in 1916 and was immensely inspired by him. He became his ardent follower. He was also imprisoned several times for being a part of Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920-22.

8. He emerged as one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress. Indian independence movement gained momentum under his leadership.

9. Nehrus coming two generations also served as the Prime Ministers of India. Indira Gandhi (Nehrus daughter) was the third and only female Indian Prime Minister. Rajiv Gandhi (Indiras son) took over the office after his mother was assassinated.

10. Article 370 and 35A, which gave the state of Jammu and Kashmir a special status, were included in Indian Constitution on his advice.

11. After returning to India from London in 1912, following his fathers footsteps, for a brief period, Nehru worked as an advocate in Allahabad High Court.

12. During the freedom struggle, Nehru spent 3259 days in jail. He used to campaign against Britishers oppression against Indians by indentured labour and other gross violations of rights

13. Four assassination attempts were made 1947, 1955, 1956, 1961 to kill Nehru. However, he died of a massive heart attack on 27 May 1964.

14. 1.5 million people had gathered in the streets of Delhi on the following day to mourn Nehrus death.