Ashok Bhan pays tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary

Srinagar, Nov 14: Noted Supreme Court lawyer and geopolitical analyst Ashok Bhan on Thursday paid tribute to the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Nehru, Bhan said, had a deep affection for children and enjoyed spending his time them. This is why November 14 which is also the birthdate for Nehru is observed as Children's Day.

Quoting Nehru, Bhan said, "Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow.”

Nehru believed that a nation's future depends on the intellectual, emotional & fearless development of its younger population, said Bhan while speaking at a function of Law Students of Law schools in Delhi.

Bhan said, it’s a proud moment to pay tribute to a leader who played a major role in India's independence, integration and its development post-independence.

His leadership during the crucial early years helped lay a stable foundation for India to emerge as a strong and democratic nation, said Bhan.

His commitment to scientific development, the secularism, and advancement in studies continues to inspire generations. Nehru championed parliamentary democracy, secularism, science and technology during the 1950s, influencing India's arc as a modern nation, said Bhan.

In international affairs, he is well-known as one of the Founders of the Non-aligned Movement and, concomitantly, for steering India clear of the two blocs of the Cold War, said Bhan.

Bhan also credited Nehru for accession of Kashmir to India.

"It was Nehru’s vision, Shiekh Abdullah’s support and Army’s valour that brought Kashmir to India in the most challenging turbulent times during the partition of the country," Bhan said.

This day of Nehru’s birth serves as an opportunity for the nation to reflect on his enduring contributions, not only in the world of politics but also in shaping India’s cultural and educational landscape and robust inclusive Indian society, added Bhan.