The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that despite ideological differences, no one should question Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s intention to work for the welfare of people and his commitment towards nation building. “There are many issues on which we have our differences with Nehru. We have differences over his policies, but we can't doubt his intention to work for the welfare of people and nation building," he made these observations at a function organized to mark the 126th birth anniversary of Pandit Nehru here today.Elaborating further he said, “I do not see Pandit Nehru through a ‘political mirror’ as he should always be seen in the ‘national mirror’. He took upon himself the tremendous responsibility of steering our newly born nation when it was liberated from the foreign domination. He was a visionary leader who understood that a Government based on democratic principles was the need of the hour. Thanks to immense contributions from leaders like Pandit Nehru, India today has a democracy based on universal adult franchise, a sovereign Parliament, independent judiciary and free press."
Giving Pandit Nehru credit for promoting infrastructure, industry and education in India, Shri Rajnath Singh said it was under the stewardship of Nehru, the country had set up large steel plants in Bhilai, Rourkela and Bokaro, top academic institutions like IISc, IITs and IIMs and several nuclear plants. Quoting Nehru, the Union Home Minister said “Panditji had said, ‘I am all for industry and I am all for steel plants. But agriculture is far more important than industry.’ Even though Nehru laid emphasis on industrialization, he knew that agriculture was the key for the country’s development.”Praising Pandit Nehru for his contribution to the education sector, the Union Home Minister said that Nehruji always took the initiative for proper education and guidance for children as he had realised that India would be a developed country only if its children were properly educated. “Nehruji was one of the tallest world leaders of his time and it was under his bold leadership, the Non-Aligned Movement was initiated when the world was divided into a bipolar entity. Nehru's policies on economy and science and technology were commendable. He also started the process of launching the projects under the Public-Private Partnership which is more relevant today”, said Shri Rajnath Singh.