Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the Architect of Modern India | 15 Nov 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News?

Children’s Day, celebrated on 14^th November 2025, marks the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.  

• The occasion also offers a moment to reflect on Nehru’s enduring contributions in shaping modern India through his vision, institutions, and commitment to nation-building.

What is the Role of Jawaharlal Nehru in Nation-Building? 

Role in India’s Independence 

• Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru became deeply involved in the freedom struggle. 
• In 1912, he attended the Bankipore Congress as a delegate, and became Secretary of the Home Rule League, Allahabad in 1919. 
• He opposed the Rowlatt Act, 1919 joined the Non-Cooperation Movement, and was repeatedly jailed during the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. 
• He represented India at the Congress of Oppressed Nationalities in Brussels (1926). 
• In 1928, Nehru attended the All-Party Congress and signed the Nehru Report on constitutional reforms (named after his father Shri Motilal Nehru).  
  • In the same year, he founded the ‘Independence for India League,’ advocating complete break from British rule, and became its General Secretary. 
• Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as Congress President at the landmark Lahore Session (1929), which adopted Poorna Swaraj as the national goal. 
• The Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme for the 1931 Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress was primarily drafted by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.  
• Jawaharlal Nehru was the second Individual Satyagrahi, following Vinoba Bhave, in 1940. 
• On 15th August 1947, he became India’s first Prime Minister and delivered the historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech. 
• As Prime Minister, he worked to strengthen democracy, secularism, and scientific thinking in the new nation. 

Jawaharlal Nehru as Architect of Modern India 

• Nehru’s Vision of a Modern and Progressive Nation: Nehru inherited a nation scarred by Partition, social division and economic ruin, yet he laid out a bold vision of a secular, democratic and forward-looking India.  
  • His leadership helped stabilize the country and initiate its transformation into a modern state. 
• Building Institutions of Excellence:   Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation of modern India by creating institutions of scientific and technical excellence such as the IITs, ISRO (successor to the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which was set up under Nehru), AIIMS, and major research universities.  
  • His vision strengthened India’s capability in engineering, space science, and nuclear development, enabling the country to pursue self-reliance and large-scale industrialisation.  
  • These institutions often called the “Temples of Modern India” continue to drive innovation, human capital formation, and technological leadership. 
• Introducing the Five-Year Plans: Nehru introduced India’s First Five-Year Plan in 1951, giving the nation a structured roadmap for economic development after Partition.  
  • The plan focused on agriculture, irrigation, food security, and rural development, helping India overcome severe shortages and inflation. 
  • These plans created a long-term planning framework that guided India’s development for decades. 
• Strengthening India’s Democratic Foundations: Nehru deeply committed to democracy, equality, and constitutional values. 
  • He advocated for fundamental rights, equality, secularism, and freedom of expression. 
  • He oversaw the establishment of the Election Commission of India (1950) and guided the country through its first general elections (1951–52), then the world’s largest democratic exercise.  
  • His commitment to democratic institutions ensured that independent India adopted a stable, inclusive, and constitutional system of governance. 
• Shaping India’s Foreign Policy: As Prime Minister, Nehru held additional charge of the Ministry of External Affairs until his death. 
  • He laid the foundation of India’s independent foreign policy during a tense post–World War II environment. 
  • He is one of the pioneers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to keep India out of Cold War blocs. 
  • He led the Asian Relations Conference (1947), strengthening Asian solidarity. 
  • Nehru championed the Panchsheel Agreement, five principles of peaceful coexistence, still central to India’s diplomacy. 
• Infrastructure: Launched major infrastructure projects such as the Bhakra-Nangal Dam, steel plants at Bhilai, Durgapur and Rourkela, and large public sector enterprises. 
  • Developed modern cities like Chandigarh and Jawahar Lal Nehru projected Chandigarh as the face of modern India. 
• Establishing India as a Welfare State: Nehru envisioned India as a welfare state that balanced economic growth with social justice.  
  • Rejecting both unregulated capitalism and rigid communism, he promoted a model where the state ensured education, healthcare, labour rights, social security, and dignity for all citizens. 

Conclusion 

Children’s Day honours Nehru’s bond with children and his pivotal role in shaping modern India. As we mark his 125th birth anniversary, his vision continues to guide national priorities. His legacy reminds us that investing in people is the foundation of India’s progress.