PM, Congress pay tributes to Nehru on birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday led the nation in paying tributes to independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 128th birth anniversary.

Leaders of the opposition Congress, including party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, also paid their tributes.

"Tributes to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Nehru's contribution to the nation cannot be forgotten while Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said everyone should secure children's rights on the day celebrated as Children's Day.

"On Bal Diwas, let us rededicate ourselves to spreading more awareness about various facets of child rights and securing these rights for our children. Bal Diwas greetings to everyone. I pay tributes to the first Prime Minister of independent India Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary," Jaitley said in a tweet.

Rahul Gandhi said Nehru was a "brilliant, compassionate man" and recalled his quote -- "There is nothing more horrifying than stupidity in action".

The Congress said on its official Twitter account: "Remembering a charismatic leader with an affection for children... his birth anniversary is the ideal celebration of innocence, cheerfulness and curiosity of India's future. He left an unmatched legacy, driven by his deep commitment to India's freedom, and his guidance of a hopeful democracy towards greatness."

"There are few things in life we cannot buy -- one such thing is childhood. The INC wishes you a Happy Children's Day."

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewal tweeted: "Humble homage to the architect of modern India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and best wishes on the Children's Day."

Former President Pranab Mukherjee and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Shanti Van to pay homage to Nehru.

"Under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi, Panditji created a conducive atmosphere for the establishment of independent institutions which strengthened our parliamentary democracy. He shall always be our guiding star," Mukherjee tweeted.

Born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad (in what was then the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, now Uttar Pradesh), Nehru was fondly called "Chacha Nehru".

Nehru was sworn in as the Prime Minister on August 15, 1947, when India gained independence from Britain. He died on May 27, 1964.

--IANS

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