Remembering Pandit Nehru-India’s Ist Prime Minister sworn in after independence
“Some are born great,some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them,”very aptly ruminated and observed William Shakespeare in his popular play,”Twelfth Night.”
Sans an iota of doubt, India’s first Prime Minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a versatile genius emblematizing first two categories of Shakespeare’s universal classifications of greatness in its true colours.Though born in an aristocratic family,he too in his inclination of the likes of Lord Rama,Gautma Buddha,Nobel Laureate Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi renounced the luxuries of life to strive to achieve greatness further and further in his illustrious career by dint of concerted toil and perseverance.
It is really worthwhile to mention many of the struggles,he very willingly and voluntarily shouldered very spiritedly in various walks of life.First and foremost was his topmost priority to liberate his nation from the chains of slavery of Britishers.His and family’s consistent role in freedom struggle when he himself remained incarcerated in jails such as Naini, Dehradun,Gorakhpur, Nabha and Jaitu of India is worth emulating.As a student as well as college teacher of English language and English literature, I read and taught the chapter “Animals in Prisons” many a times. While Nehru was lodged in Naini Prison he fondly shared his startling experiences with animals.I am particularly haunted by his experience with squirrels shared in his piece describing vividly how a squirrel used to come near him and look into his eyes.Not only this,Nehru a many in one persona never left any stone unturned equipping himself resolutely to excel in various walks of life.
In magnanimity,humility,vision and foresight he was a man par excellence. His intellect and creativity did offer him a place among the galaxy of world statesmen.Although he penned down about ten books yet it is pleasing to remember a select band of his half a dozen titles speaking volumes of his wonderful writing skills enabling his readers to come across plenty of learning tips and strange revelations , “Glimpses of World History”,”The Discovery of India,” “Letters From A Father To His Daughter”,”Before Freedom”,”An Autobiography: Toward Freedom” and “Words of Freedom: Ideas of A Nation.” He liked and loved freedom quite passionately in all its hues and contours connoting differently to him all the time.
His delicate and tender love for the children made him quite popular among children anywhere in the world and that is why he is popularly called CHACHA NEHRU and his birthday is celebrated as BAL DIVAS every year.His too much interest in floriculture and love for nature also inspired him always to tuck a rose on his coat.
A man of letters,he was a great learner and a voracious reader keen everytime to explore something novel.In this respect, he was fortunate enough to be polished, guided and influenced by his evergreen mentors like Prof Harold Joseph Laski Chairman British Labour Party(1945-1946) and Mahatma Gandhi.Gifted with his scholarship and command in disciplines of Economics,Political Science, History especially Political Economy and Political Theory, Laski author of his famous book “A Grammar of Politics” was Professor London School of Economics whose position on democracy threatening violence came under attack from Winston Churchill. Prof.Laski had a deep influence on his prolific student Pandit Nehru.It was Pandit Nehru who recommended late Mr.KR Narayanan to Prof Laski for guidance who ultimately became Vice-President and President of India.Mr VK Krishna Menon erstwhile Union Defence Minister and late Mr.Jyoti Basu former Chief Minister West Bengal too then were his bright students.
It goes to Pandit Nehru’s credit that he was always for promoting and encouraging talent,intellect and brilliance every where never discouraging any one in any manner. It is interesting to recall one incident when Chandigarh was in the making.He alongwith then Punjab Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon paid a surprise visit to temporary Camp Office where a bureaucrat Mr SK Mishra alongwith Dr.MS Gill erstwhile Union Sports Minister-cum-Chief Election Commissioner while on duty was busy reading a novel by PG Wodehouse.The officer finding the PM and Chief Minister on the spot all of a sudden was non-plussed.Pandit Nehru instead of taking the officer to task asked him in a lighter vein “Kya Padh Rahe Ho?” (What are you reading?)He replied stammering,a novel by PG Wodehouse.Nehru then feeling delighted, retorted it is a good novel, I too have read it,discussing characters of Wodehouse with him describing his meeting too with the iconic author, leaving the venue smilingly.That was Nehru the great always brimming with optimism,cheer and grace of a certain magnitude !
Pandit Nehru’s Photo Credite : THE WIRE
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Contributed by :
Prof PK Sharma Freelance Journalist
Associate Professor of English(Retired),
Pom Anm Nest,BARNALA(Punjab).