Death Anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

• 31 May 2025

Why in News? 

The death anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was observed on 27th May 2025. 

• He is remembered as the Architect of Modern India.

Key Points 

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) 

• Early Life: He was born on 14th November 1889, into a Kashmiri Brahmin family in Allahabad (now Prayagraj). 
  • Fondly called ‘Chacha Nehru’ for his deep affection for children, his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day every year in India. 
  • He attended his first Congress session in 1912 at Bankipore (Patna) as a delegate and joined Annie Besant’s Home Rule League in 1916, becoming its Allahabad Secretary in 1919. 
• Contribution in Freedom Struggle: He was elected Congress President at the 1929 Lahore session, passing the historic Purna Swaraj resolution for complete independence, and later presided over the 1936 Lucknow and 1937 Faizpur sessions, promoting socialism. 
  • He drafted the Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy (1929-31), adopted at the 1931 Karachi Session under Sardar Patel, and advocated legal defence for Indian National Army (INA) soldiers.  
  • He led the Interim Government in 1946. 
• Post-Independence: In 1953, he formed the States Reorganisation Commission, promoted industrialisation through Five-Year Plans, and led the Non-Alignment Movement. 
• Awards: He was awarded the Bharat Ratna (1955) and World Peace Council Prize (posthumously, 1970). 
• Literary Contributions: The Discovery of India, An Autobiography, Glimpses of World History and Letters from a Father to His Daughter.