Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly known as Chacha Nehru is believed to be fond of children and used to meet kids with immense affection. India used to celebrate Children’s Day on 20th November every year before 1956 as the United Nations, in 1954, had declared the day as Universal Children’s Day. After the death of PM Nehru in 1964, a resolution was passed in the parliament unanimously declaring the day of his birth anniversary, 14th November as National Children’s Day.
This year will mark the 132nd birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Here are some lesser-known facts about Pandit Nehru you ought to know.
Photo by History.com
1. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allabahad on November 14, 1889.
2. At the age of fifteen, he went to England and after two years at Harrow, joined Cambridge University where he studied Natural Sciences.
3. He returned to India in 1912 and dove straight into politics. Even as a student, he had been interested in the struggle of all nations who suffered under foreign domination. He took a keen interest in the Sinn Fein Movement in Ireland.
4. Pt. Nehru became the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee in September 1923.
5. In 1929, Pt. Nehru was elected President of the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress, where complete independence for the country was adopted as the goal.
6. He was imprisoned several times during 1930-35 in connection with the Salt Satyagraha and other movements launched by Congress.
7. On August 7, 1942, Pt. Nehru moved the historic ‘Quit India’ resolution at the A.I.C.C. session in Bombay.
8. On August 15, 1947, India and Pakistan emerged as two separate independent countries. Nehru became independent India’s first prime minister.
9. He suffered a slight stroke in 1963, and a more-debilitating attack followed in January 1964. He died a few months later from a third and fatal stroke.
10. His daughter Indira Gandhi went on to become prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977.
