Express News Service By

NEW DELHI: The NDA government maybe keen to push into background everything Nehruvian into the background, but on 125 birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Home Minister Rajnath Singh while acknowledging the ideological differences paid rich tributes to him.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said Nehru had made a great contribution in strengthening the democracy in the country.

Terming Nehru as a visionary who understood that a government based on democratic principles was the need of the hour, Singh said despite ideological differences, no one should question Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s intention to work for the welfare of people and his commitment towards nation building.

“There are many issues on which we have our differences with Nehru. We have differences over his policies, but we can't doubt his intention to work for the welfare of people and nation building," he made these observations at a function organized to mark the 126th birth anniversary of Pandit Nehru here today.

Elaborating further he said, “I do not see Pandit Nehru through a ‘political mirror’ as he should always be seen in the ‘national mirror’.

Lauding Nehru’s role, Rajnath Singh said Nehru took upon himself the tremendous responsibility of steering our newly born nation when it was liberated from the foreign domination.

“Thanks to immense contributions from leaders like Pandit Nehru, India today has a democracy based on universal adult franchise, a sovereign Parliament, independent judiciary and free press," Singh during the official function to mark the culmination of year-long celebration for 125th birth anniversary.

Giving Pandit Nehru credit for promoting infrastructure, industry and education in India, Rajnath Singh said it was under the stewardship of Nehru, the country had set up large steel plants in Bhilai, Rourkela and Bokaro, top academic institutions like IISc, IITs and IIMs and several nuclear plants.

“Nehruji was one of the tallest world leaders of his time and it was under his bold leadership, the Non-Aligned Movement was initiated when the world was divided into a bipolar entity. Nehru's policies on economy and science and technology were commendable. He also started the process of launching the projects under the Public-Private Partnership which is more relevant today”, Rajnath Singh said.

On the occasion, an exhibition on “Jawaharlal Nehru and his Legacy” was also held. To mark Nehru’s anniversary, the culture ministry had held a number of programmes including an International Seminar, a Nehru Portal was developed, apart from holding seminars.

To mark the occasion, a film on “Jawaharlal Nehru: Science and Development” was screened. This film portrayed the establishment of scientific institutions during his Prime Ministership such as Indian Institute of Science, Central Drug Research Institute, Botanical Institute and National Chemical Laboratory, big dams such as Bhakra Nangal Dam, Tungabhadra Dam and Hirakud Dam and besides Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Rare Earth Factory and a number of Steel Plants.