Children’s Day 2024: Here are Some Lesser Known Facts About Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first prime minister and played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule.

Born on November 14, 1889, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Nehru believed in the importance of education and was instrumental in establishing many educational institutions in India.

He was fond of children and was lovingly known as "Chacha Nehru" by them. His deep affection for the younger generation was reflected in his efforts to improve education and uplift the lives of children across the nation.

Nehru believed that children were the country's future, and he dedicated much of his time to initiatives aimed at their well-being and development. 

This is why his birthday, November 14, is celebrated as Children's Day in India, honouring his legacy and love for children. Therefore, here are some of the lesser-known facts about Jawaharlal Nehru that you may find interesting. Here we go!

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Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Anniversary 2024: 10 Interesting Facts About Chacha Nehru

1. During 1950-55, Jawaharlal Nehru was nominated eleven times for the Nobel Prize for Peace. However, he never received them.
2. Approximately 1.5 million (15 lakhs) people gathered at Nehru’s cremation to pay respect to him after he died of a heart attack in 1964.
3. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned eleven times during the Indian freedom struggle which is equal to 3,259 days in Jail (nearly 9 years).
4. Before joining the freedom struggle, Nehru was training to be an advocate, having enrolled at the Allahabad High Court after graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1910.
5. Nehru was fond of kite flying during his time at Harrow and Cambridge, where he popularised the sport among his peers.
6. While imprisoned, Nehru spun a pale pink khadi saree for his daughter Indira Gandhi’s wedding, which was later worn by Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi on their wedding days.
7. His classmates at Trinity College nicknamed him "Joe Nehru" because they found it difficult to pronounce his name.
8. He had a great fondness for animals and kept various pets, including pandas, in his residence.
9. His innovative dress style influenced leaders like Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah and Indonesia’s Suharto to adopt similar national attire.
10. Nehru authored significant works including "The Discovery of India" and "Glimpses of World History," showcasing his extensive knowledge of both Indian and global history.

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Additional Fascinating Facts About Jawaharlal Nehru

1. He was instrumental in establishing key institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
2. Nehru was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) into a prominent Kashmiri Pandit family.
3. His iconic speech delivered on August 15, 1947, marked India's independence and is still revered today as one of the greatest speeches in history.
4. Nehru served as the President of the Indian National Congress on two occasions—in 1919 and 1928—and was a key figure in advocating for complete independence from British rule.
5. Over his political career, he spent approximately 3,259 days in jail for his activism against British rule.
6. His health deteriorated significantly after the Sino-Indian War in 1962, which deeply affected him personally and politically.
7. His sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly, showcasing a legacy of leadership within his family.
8. Nehru's vision for India included promoting secularism and socialism, which shaped the nation’s policies post-independence.

Chacha Nehru: Some of Nehru's Most Significant Contributions to India's Education System

Jawaharlal Nehru made significant contributions to India's education system, shaping it to reflect his vision of a modern, progressive nation. 

His efforts laid the groundwork for a robust educational framework that emphasized scientific temper, cultural diversity, and inclusive access to education. Here are some of his most notable contributions:

Key Contributions to India's Education System

• Establishment of Premier Institutions: Nehru was instrumental in founding several prestigious educational institutions, including:
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs): Established to promote engineering and technology education.
• Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs): Created to develop management education in India.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): Aimed at providing high-quality medical education and research.
• Promotion of Scientific Education: Nehru strongly advocated for a focus on science and technology in education, believing it was essential for national development. He established national science laboratories and research centres to foster innovation and scientific inquiry.
• Secular Education System: He emphasized the importance of a secular educational framework that respects diverse beliefs and cultures. This approach aimed to create an inclusive environment where students from various backgrounds could learn together.
• Cultural and Humanistic Education: Nehru believed in the development of the whole person, advocating for education that included arts and culture alongside scientific training. He supported the establishment of institutions dedicated to cultural studies and the arts, recognizing their role in fostering creativity and critical thinking.
• Focus on Women's Education: Understanding the critical role women play in societal development, Nehru promoted women's education as a means to empower them and contribute to national progress. He believed that educating women would lead to better family planning and rural development outcomes.

Conclusion

Nehru had a profound affection for children, viewing them as the future of the nation. His birthday is celebrated as Children's Day in India, reflecting his commitment to children's rights and education. 

He advocated for educational policies that would ensure every child had access to quality learning opportunities. 

Additionally, he supported the use of regional languages as mediums of instruction in schools, believing that this would enhance understanding and preserve cultural heritage while making education more accessible.

Under his leadership, significant reforms were made to improve the quality of education across the country. This included curriculum updates that incorporated contemporary knowledge and methodologies aimed at fostering critical thinking skills among students.

Nehru recognised the need for a skilled workforce to support India's industrialization efforts. He pushed for vocational training programs and technical education initiatives that would equip young people with practical skills necessary for employment.

His vision extended beyond national boundaries; he sought to create an educational system that fostered global understanding and cooperation. He believed that education should prepare students not only as citizens of India but also as global citizens who could engage with international issues.

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