On this day in 1964, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly known as Chacha Nehru breathed his last. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 75. He served as the Prime Minister of India from its independence in 1947 until his death.
The excerpt from "Tryst with Destiny", his famous inaugural address as the first Prime Minister of independent India on August 15 "when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom" is one of the most popular addresses in the Indian History.
On 28 May, Nehru was cremated at the Shantivan on the banks of the Yamuna. His last rites were witnessed by 1.5 million mourners who had flocked into the streets of Delhi and the cremation grounds.
Here are some of the motivational quotes by Nehru that inspire many, even years after his death.
“It is only too easy to make suggestions and later try to escape the consequences of what we say.”
“Time is not measured by the passing of years but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves.”
“There is perhaps nothing so bad and as dangerous in life as fear.”
“Failure comes only when we forget our ideals and objectives and principles.”
“To be in good moral condition requires at least as much training as to be in good physical condition.”
“Loyal and efficient work is a great cause, even though it may not be immediately recognized, ultimately bears fruit.”
“The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.”
“The person who talks most of his own virtue is often the least virtuous.”
“Obviously, the highest type of efficiency is that which can utilize existing material to the best advantage.”
While it might be fashionable to bash Nehru on Twitter and WhatsApp, it's important to remember that nation-building isn't quite like ordering stuff on Swiggy or Zomato. It takes time and everything is very easy in retrospect. Nehru dreamt a dream of India.
