'Jewel of India': PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath pay tribute to Nehru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 137th birth anniversary, which is also observed as Children's Day across the country. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Paying tribute to former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary." Defence minister Rajnath Singh also paid homage to the country's first prime minister, recalling his contribution to India's freedom struggle and his leadership during the early years of independent India. In a post on X, Rajnath said, "On the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Ji, I pay my tributes to him. His contribution to India's freedom struggle and his leadership as the first Prime Minister of independent India left an enduring imprint on the formative years of our nation." Lok Sabha leader of opposition and former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary. In a post on X, Rahul described Nehru as the "jewel of India" and the country's first prime minister. He said freedom was not the destination but "a milestone in the nation's new journey", adding that Swaraj was not merely about power but about every citizen's participation and responsibility towards the country's future. Rahul also recalled Nehru's vision of India as an idea built on diversity, democracy and equality. "Their dream of a modern, scientific, progressive, and self-confident India remains our inspiration today," he said, adding that efforts to build such an India would be the "true tribute" to Nehru. November 14 is celebrated as Children's Day in India to mark the birth anniversary of Nehru, who was popularly known as 'Chacha Nehru' because of his affection for children. After Nehru's death, it was unanimously decided to observe his birthday as ' Bal Diwas ' or Children's Day in India. He was born on November 14, 1889, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and died on May 27, 1964. Nehru became India's first prime minister on August 15, 1947, after playing an active role in the country's freedom struggle.

Schools across the country organise various activities for students on the occasion, including games and competitions. Government bodies also pay tribute to the former prime minister and hold commemorative events. The United Nations declared November 20 as Universal Children's Day in 1954. India initially observed Children's Day on the same date. However, following Nehru's death in 1964, Parliament unanimously passed a resolution to mark his birth anniversary on November 14 as National Children's Day.