Explained: How Jawaharlal Nehru Contributed To Nation-Building After Independence?

Since its independence, India has seen a lot of development and transformations in almost every field- economics, politics, education, society, etc. Several governments and leaders have brought about these changes, and the foundation for several such changes was laid down by India's first Prime Minister and freedom fighter, Jawahar Lal Nehru.

As we approach the 133rd birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru on 14th November 2022, here's a look at his several contributions to the development of India.

Establishing a formal democracy

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Nehru was committed to establishing an equal nation with equal opportunities and freedom. He envisioned these ideas in his "Objective Resolution," which also induced the Constituent Assembly to formulate a constitution on these ideas.

Nehru was also responsible for establishing a robust supremacy of the Parliament over the military, which in turn helped Indians to maintain control over their affairs instead of the military. His way of politics was based upon the ideal of debate and deliberation.

The idea of secularism

Nehru also helped build the narrative of "Unity in Diversity." He believed that all religious and societal communities of India had equal rights in the country and that the well-being of minorities should be protected at all costs. Until now, India has thrived as a diverse and secular country due to Nehru's promotion and practice of these ideas.

The concept of a Welfare state

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Nehru inherited a country plagued by poverty and inequality. He made it his mission to weaken these evils through a planned economy and established a government that worked to uplift the poor and formulated ideals such as the right to food, the right to work, the right to fair compensation of land holdings, and the right to education in his government's policies. All subsequent governments attempt to follow these ideals while making the Annual Budget for the country.

Establishing several Institutes of Excellence

Nehru laid the foundation for India's scientific and engineering temper by establishing several institutes, such as the ISRO and IITs. Since their establishment, these institutes have facilitated India's massive growth in the technical field and helped us gain an international standing. Moreover, Nehru also built the foundation of a dual-track nuclear initiative, and several years later- India now possesses its nuclear weapons.

Another significant achievement by Nehru was his government's heavy investment in the manufacturing sector. This aided India in becoming self-reliant and reducing imports of essential items.

In the arena of Foreign Policy

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As a counter to the bipolar divisions during the Cold War, Nehru formulated the Non-alignment (NAM) policy. After India's independence, Nehru wanted to protect the nation's autonomy. He decided not to align with the USA or the USSR during that time to maintain the country's independence. Consequently, India also became a prominent leader among third-world countries and now stands tall against the ideas of imperialism and colonialism.

Due to Nehru, India now has a significant role in world politics, and its identity as a nation is based on the rich history of its civilization and morality. The country is known for voicing the marginalized on the global stage till now, and it was Nehru who first laid the foundations of India's distinct international identity.

Thus, the nation's freedom fighters first envisioned the country we see today. Nehru tried to make that vision reality through his policies and governance as the first Prime Minister of independent India.