Key Contributions of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Modern India
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the most famous freedom fighters and the first Prime Minister of independent India. Since he was such an important and inspirational figure for the country, children are taught about his personality and contributions. They are often asked to write a few lines about Jawaharlal Nehru in the form of a short note or Jawaharlal Nehru essay. Here are some lines on Jawaharlal Nehru in the form of a long and a short Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Essay is given.
The paragraph on Jawaharlal Nehru will be helpful for the students not only in writing Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru essay in English but also for writing Pandit Jawaharlal par Nibandh in Hindi.
Long Jawaharlal Nehru Essay in English
India has been the home to many great freedom fighters and world leaders. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is one among them. He was born on 14th November 1889 at Allahabad, officially known as Prayagraj. His father, Motilal Nehru, was a famous barrister. In the initial years, Jawaharlal Nehru had his primary education at home. He was then sent to England for high school studies. He completed his graduation in Law from Trinity College in Cambridge and became a barrister at the Inner Temple in London. He then returned to India as he was passionate about the Indian freedom struggle.
In the fight for Indian independence, he was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. Under his guidance, Jawaharlal Nehru took an active part in the freedom struggle following the path of truth and non-violence. Due to this, he was sent to jail many times. During his one of the jail periods, he wrote the book, ‘The Discovery of India’. He also wrote a series of letters to his daughter, Indira, telling her about the rich social and cultural heritage of India and the importance of the freedom struggle. He played a very active role in the struggle for independence with Congress. He was made the president of the Indian National Congress in 1929. Under him, Congress took the pledge of complete independence from British rule. This was known as the Poorna Swaraj declaration and was officially acknowledged on 26th November 1930. This day is celebrated as ‘The Republic Day in India when India officially adopted its constitution.
After the independence of India on 15th August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India. Under his astute leadership and global vision, India achieved progress, prosperity, and respect on the international stage. He laid the foundation of democracy in India. He exemplified his belief in democracy at an international level by adopting the Non-Aligned Policy as part of India’s foreign policy. This made India the pioneer of the Non-Aligned Movement in the world. He believed in peaceful co-existence and therefore he signed the Panchsheel Agreement between India and China in 1961. He was a great supporter of disarmament and worked hard to create an international order of peace and brotherhood. Following the path defined by Buddha, Christ, and Nanak, he led India, the largest democracy in the world, to a position of respect in the world.
He died on 27th May 1964. He left behind the rich heritage of planning and development. He created a network of educational, technical, and medical institutions. One of the best examples is the establishment of a chain of the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Management. He left a legacy of large industrial, agricultural, irrigation, and power projects. Projects such as setting up steel plants, construction of dams, and establishing power plants led India to the path of technological and infrastructural development.
His contributions have been noteworthy in all fields. Because of this, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru came to be known as ‘The Architect of Modern India’. He was one of the few men who made a great impact on the country and the world. Being a favorite amongst the children and popularly known as ‘Chacha Nehru’, his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day in India. He is and will be known for being a visionary and his beliefs for the unity of the country and the liberty of mankind.
Short Jawaharlal Nehru Essay in English
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister when India achieved independence on 15th August 1947. He was born on 14th November 1889 at Allahabad (which is now known as Prayagraj). Because he shared a fond relationship with children his birthday is celebrated as ‘Children’s Day in India. This is also the reason why he was famously known as ‘Chacha Nehru’. He was the son of a famous barrister Motilal Nehru and his wife Swaroop Rani.
He went for his high school studies in London. He finished his graduation in Law from Trinity College, Cambridge, and practiced law at Inner Temple in London. He came to India to fight for Indian Independence. Under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, he worked for independence with the Indian National Congress.
When he was in jail from 1942 to 1946 he wrote, ‘The Discovery of India’. His inaugural speech as the first Prime Minister of independent India, ‘Tryst with Destiny’, is widely popular. His vision established several prominent educational, technological, and medical institutions. His contributions to diverse fields such as industrial, agricultural, projects, and foreign policies put India in a respectable position on the world map.
Timeline of Jawaharlal Nehru's Life
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad (Now officially named as Prayagraj). His father was Motilal Nehru and his mother was Swaroop Rani, both belong to the Kashmiri pandit community.
In 1905, he started his institutional schooling at Harrow, (a leading school in England), with the nickname of Joe.
In October 1907, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, to pursue the course on an honors degree in natural science.
After his degree was completed in 1910, he started studying law at the Inner Temple Inn.
In the year 1912, he returned to India and tried to settle down as a barrister like his father.
Within months of returning to India, he attended the annual session of the Indian National Congress in Patna and from there started playing his part as a Freedom fighter.
He married Kamala Kaul in 1916 and had a daughter named Indra in 1917.
At the time of the non-cooperation movement in 1920, he made his first big involvement in national politics. And also had to go to jail many times due to their involvement in such activities.
He also internationalized the Indian Freedom struggle and sought foreign allies for India. He forged links with others movements for independence and democracy. His efforts paid off in the year 1927 when Congress was invited to the congress of oppressed nationalities in Brussels, Belgium
From the year 1939, At the start of World War 2, Congress under Nehru decided to help the British but on the fulfillment of certain conditions, one of which was the assurance of complete independence of India after the war and right to frame a new constitution, but the British didn’t agree.
After the war, India somehow got Independence from the British, but sadly India was divided into two nations, Pakistan and modern-day India. And Nehru was elected as the Prime minister of this nation.
He led the country with his modern thinking and worked on the modernization of the Hindu religion.
At last, he died on 27th May, in 1962 due to a cardiac arrest.
Conclusion
This essay on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru will be beneficial to the students for both English and Hindi language. This simple Jawaharlal Nehru essay can be easily translated into Hindi helping the students to write ‘Jawaharlal Nehru par Nibandh’ in Hindi.
FAQs on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Essay for Students: His Life & Achievements
1. Who was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and what was his role in India's freedom struggle?
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a central figure in India's fight for independence and became the first Prime Minister of independent India. As a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, he worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi. He was a key architect of the 'Purna Swaraj' (complete independence) resolution and spent several years in prison for his role in movements like the Quit India Movement.
2. What was Jawaharlal Nehru's early life and education like?
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani. He came from a wealthy family and received his early education at home from tutors. Later, he went to England to study at Harrow School and then Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned a degree in natural science. He subsequently studied law and became a barrister before returning to India to join the nationalist movement.
3. What were the main principles that guided Jawaharlal Nehru as India's first Prime Minister?
As Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru's vision for India was built on several core principles. He was a firm believer in:
- Democratic Socialism: He promoted a mixed economy where the state would control key sectors to ensure equitable development.
- Secularism: He championed the idea of a state that is neutral in matters of religion, ensuring equal rights for all citizens regardless of their faith.
- Scientific Temper: He believed that scientific progress and rational thinking were essential for modernising India and overcoming social and economic problems.
- Non-Alignment: In foreign policy, he co-founded the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), steering India away from the two major power blocs of the Cold War.
4. What are some of the key policies and institutions established under Jawaharlal Nehru's leadership?
Jawaharlal Nehru's tenure as Prime Minister saw the establishment of numerous foundational policies and institutions. Notable examples include the Planning Commission, which introduced the Five-Year Plans to guide India's economic development. He also laid the groundwork for India's scientific and technological advancement by establishing premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Atomic Energy Commission.
5. What is the significance of Jawaharlal Nehru's 'Tryst with Destiny' speech?
The 'Tryst with Destiny' speech is one of the most famous speeches of the 20th century, delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru to the Indian Constituent Assembly on the eve of India's independence, August 14, 1947. Its significance lies in how it captured the monumental spirit of a nation at the moment of its birth. It articulated the long-awaited promise of freedom and laid out a vision for the future, calling upon Indians to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and the cause of humanity.
6. Why is Jawaharlal Nehru popularly known as 'Chacha Nehru'?
Jawaharlal Nehru is fondly remembered as 'Chacha Nehru' (Uncle Nehru) because of his deep affection for children and his vision for their future. He believed that children were the future of the nation and championed their right to education and well-being. His birthday, November 14, is celebrated as Children's Day in India in his honour, reflecting his legacy as a leader who cared immensely about the country's youth.
7. What are some of Jawaharlal Nehru's famous literary works?
Jawaharlal Nehru was a prolific writer, and his works are considered important literary and historical documents. His most famous books, largely written during his time in prison, include:
- The Discovery of India: A comprehensive look at India's history, culture, and philosophy.
- Glimpses of World History: A collection of letters written to his daughter, Indira, providing an overview of world history.
- An Autobiography (Toward Freedom): His personal account of his life and his role in the freedom struggle.
8. What were the major challenges Jawaharlal Nehru faced as the first Prime Minister of a newly independent India?
As the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru faced immense challenges. The most immediate was the violence and refugee crisis following the Partition of India. He also had to manage the complex task of integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian union. Furthermore, he was responsible for establishing stable political institutions, laying down a foreign policy for a new nation, and kickstarting an economy crippled by centuries of colonial rule, all while dealing with widespread poverty and illiteracy.
