Nehru was a world leader: Rajnath Singh

Describing the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru as a "world leader", union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday he was instrumental in developing India as a strong democratic power.

"Nehru was instrumental in developing India as a strong democratic power in world's prism. Nehru supported the concept of Public-Private Partnership which is still very much present in the Indian society and is one of the easiest way of development," Singh said while addressing the birth anniversary function of Nehru here.

Singh said despite ideological differences, no one should question Nehru's intention to work for the welfare of people and his commitment to 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 said.

"I do not see Nehru through a 'political mirror' as he should always be seen in the national mirror," he added.

Describing Nehru as a visionary leader, he said: "Thanks to immense contributions from leaders like Nehru, India today has a democracy based on universal adult franchise, a sovereign parliament, independent judiciary and free press."

Giving Nehru credit for promoting infrastructure, industry and education in India, Singh said it was under the stewardship of Nehru that 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 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 industrialisation, he knew that agriculture was the key for the country's development."