Pt. JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU AND MODERN INDIA: FOR BPSC MAINS EXAM

PT. NEHRU IS AN INDIAN TO CORE BUT, HE BEING ALSO AN INTERNATIONALIST, HAS MADE US USED TO LOOKING AT EVERYTHING IN THE  INTERNATIONAL LIGHT, INSTEAD OF PAROCHIAL....AND HE IS A HUMANITARIAN IN THE SENSE THAT HE REACTS TO EVERY WRONG NO MATTER WHERE PERPETRATED........ WHEN I AM NO MORE, HE WILL KNOW, HOW TO CARRY ON WORK.----------M.K. GANDHI.

WHY WAS PT. NEHRU CALLED AS THE ARCHITECT OF MODERN INDIA?

Pt. Nehru was the sole architect of the modern india. the centenary year of pt. nehru has been instrumental in focusing our attention on his towering, multi dem ensional personality and has prompted a reassessment of the exact nature and measure of his splendid greatness and immortal fame and invaluable services rendered by him to the modern india. As Michael breacher pointed out, he was - the philosopher, the architect, the engineer and voice of the country's policy towards the outside world. To speak the truth, he planted the seed of parliamentary democracy in the modern india, which in course of time become a full fledged tree. that is why pt. nehru may be regarded and rightly indeed, as the FATHER OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY.

he wanted to built a socialist society - equitable, egalitarian, just, humane with democratic and civil libertarian polity.he tried to link his dual commitment to nationalism and socialism. under his leadership india had an independent foreign policy which was't inclined towards either of the the two block US & USSR. he was responsible for the economic policy of making the nation self reliant and self sustaining.

Pt. Nehru believed that independence , depended on economic strength of a country. the motto of unity in diversity was a good example of his ideology.

In Pt. Nehru vision india should mixed economy(both public and private body), india is liberal to combat communalism and hence promote social welfare politics and religious neutrality to ensure religious equality and liberty to all minorities living in india.

concept of secularism is dynamic and enlighted which play role in social welfare.

Pt. Nehru believed in the power of democracy . he pushed forward the system of parliamentary governance based on universal adult franchise and secret ballot. his firm commitment to democracy, civil liberties, free speech and press, independent judiciary are what made india into a vibrant democracy. his aim was to turn the country into self governing institution. he believed that people would realise their power and soon push reforms that would end social inequality. he favoured cooperative ownership of means of production rather than the capitalist view of profit making but he knew that equitable distribution can be of riches not poverty so a country should have tremendous economic growth.

he said, we can not have a welfare state in india will all the capitalism and communism in the world. what we need is high growth rate sustained over a long period of time to bring the poor out of poverty.

Pt. Nehru policy was to have public sector as the commander of the economy and private sector as subordinate to it. Public sector meant not only the state but also cooperatives in trade, industry and production. a good decision if opposed by majority in the society would lead to facism as the large section would start a counter revolution and over throw democracy itself. nehruvian era was criticised as a period of weak leadership and slow progress but this was to Nehru's style of concensus building rather than a confrontaational approach.
Pt. Nehru was keen that women play their part as equal citizen in nation unlike the west, women in india got the right to vote at the same time as men. he said in his speech- women of india must play a adequate role in the building of the country. without them the country can not make rapid progress. the state of progress of the country can be known by the condition of its women because they are the makers of the people of the country.
Pt. Nehru's policy of non -alignment did not mean equidistance or isolationism. it meant independence of judgment and action. it was not a passive but pro- active and dynamic policy in which india was strongly committed to the goals of UN and would do its best for peace in the world. pt. nehru did not want to involve india in the conflict which the great powers were waging or become a camp follower of any group.
India emerged from colonial rule  a mostly agrarian country. agriculture had been virtually staganate for half a century and the average rate of economic growth was less than one percentage. against this dismal back drop, the 1st fifteen years saw an  estimated GDP growth at 4% and nearly2% per capita. this was historic turning pointand india was on per with the best performing economies of its time, ahead of china , UK , Japan. congress president SUBASH CHANDRA BOSE in 1938 set up a NATIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE with Pt. Nehru as its chairman. Pt. Nehru included in it not just as politician but scientist, economist, businessman and industrialist. planning was seen by Nehru as a vast national endeavour and not just the task of the planning commission. The mixed economy and welfare state emerged thereafter as important concepts. setting up planning- commission, emergence of public sector, of land reform, of regulation on industrial monopoly, of state trading were all the result of nehru multifaceted initiatives. the national development council has been described as an example of federalism in action.
Pt. Nehru oriented the country to the socialist path by including the directive principle of state policy in the constitution.
AVADI SESSION OF INC. IN 1955- coincided with the launched of 2nd five year plan, from the on ward, vigorous utilization of resources, rapid industrialization and achieving equitable distribution become the nation's priorities.
NON- ALIGNMENT: The word "non-alingment" is used for the foreign policy of those nation's which are not aligned to USA or USSR and independently frame and allow their foreign policies.
according to Pt. Nehru - Non Alignment means attempt by a nation to keep itself aloof from military blocks. it means trying to view the things as far as possible not from military point of view though that has to come in sometimes, but we must have independent view point and must have friendly relations with all countries.
Non alignment was formed during the cold wars as an organisation of states that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the united states or USSR but sought to remain independent or neutral. the basic concept for the group originated in 1955 during discussions that took place at the Asia- African-Bandung conference held in indonesia. the 1st NAM summit conference took place in belgrade, Yugoslavia in set 1961. Today it has 120 members, 17 countries and 10 international organisations that are observers at NAM.
The purpose of the organisation was enumerated in HAVANA DECLARATION of 1979 to ensure-- the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of  non - aligned country- in their struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo colonism, racism, and all forms of foreign subjugation. During cold world war era NAM  played vital role in stabilizing the world order and preserving peace and security. NAM does't means the neutrality of state on global issues, it was always a peaceful intervention in world politics.

THE PRINCIPLE OF NAM WAS LARGELY GUIDED BY PANCHSHEEL PRINCIPLES:

1. Respect for the principles enrished in UN charter and international law.
2. Respect for sovereignty, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all states.
3. Peaceful settlement of all international conflicts in accordance with the charter of the UN.
4. Respect for the political , economic, social and cultural diversities of countries and peoples.
5. Defence and promotion of shared interests, justice and cooperation, regardless of the  differences existing in the political, economic and social systems of the states on the basis of mutual respect and the equality of rights.
6. Non- interference in the internal affairs of states. no state or group of states has the right to intervene either directly or indirectly, whenever the motive, in the internal affairs of any other state.
7. NAM has sought to create an independent path in the world politics that would not result in member states becoming pawns in the  struggles between major powers. it identified  the right of the independent judgment, the struggle against imperialism and neo colonialism, and use of the moderation in relation with all big powers as  the three basic elements have influenced its approach. at present , an additional goal is  facilitating a restructuring of international economic order.
8. NAM in cold war era- against aparthied, disarmament, UNSC reforms, failed to resolve regional tension-indo-china-pak.

Relevance of NAM:

World peace, territorial integrity and sovereignty, third world nation- fighting against socio-economic problems since they have been exploited for a long time by other developed nations, NAM acts as protector for these small countries against the western hehemony., support of UN, equitable world order, interest of developing countries. cultural diversities and human rights, sustainable development, economic growth.

NAM as a concept can never be irrevelant, principally it provides a stronger base to foreign policy of its members.it should be seen as STRATEGIC AUTONOMY which is the need of the hours of the today's world . the principles of the NAM still can be guiding the nation towards it.

NAM is a platform where india can assert its soft power and provide an active leadership and by being a torch bearer for small countries at multilateral platforms.

it should be used as platform to raise global issues like terrorism, climate change and trade protectionism and others.

NAM platform can be used to garner support by South- East Asian countries assertion in south china sea and related island and border disputes.

PT. NEHRU'S FOREIGN POLICY:

1. Preservation of territorial integration and sovereignty- non interference in other's internal affairs example- panchsheel agreement between india and china.
2. Promotion of international peace.
3. Economic development of countries- 5year plant.
4. Protection of interest of people of indian origine abroad.
5. Freedom of dependent people and elimination of racial discrimination.
6. Anti- colonial and anti- imperialism.
7. Faith in peaceful co- existance and co- operation.
8. Faith in UN charter and resolution.
9. Support of disarmament .
10. Relation with common wealth.
11. Peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Criticism of Pt. Nehru foreign policy:

1. pak attack kashmir, Nehru was idealistic rather than realistic, ordered to ceasefire in 1948 and take the case to UN , which become bone of contention still today.
2. indi-china war and panchsheel theoty.
3. NAM and not aligned to either USA or USSR but after dissolution of USSR geo politics changed and NAM lost its relevance to some extent.

INDIA'S POSITION: 

India being founder and largest member in NAM was an active participants in NAM meetings till 1970s but inaia's inclination towards erstwhile USSR created confusions in smaller members. it led to the weakening of NAM and small nations drifted towards either US or USSR.

• Further disintegration of USSR led the unipolar world order dominated by US. india's new economic policy and inclination towards US raised question over india's seriousness over NAM.
• NAM continued , losing relevance for india in a unipolar world, especially after the founding member failed to support India during crisis- for instance- during 1962 war with china, Ghana and indonesia adopted explicitly pro china positions. during 1965 war and 1971 war , indonesia and egypt took an anti indian stance and support pakistan.
• India is the member of G20 and has declared itself as nuclear weapon power.
• India has also engaged itself with new and old global power, India joining the quadrilateral security dialogue , sco etc.
• India is striving hard for a multipolar world order and asserting itself as one of the player. multi polar world order is very much closed to NAM principles.

                                                                                                                                Emerging global order: 

1. Escalating tension in indo- pacific region due to china and US.
2. Migration in europe and asia  lead to ethinic conflict.
3. Global climate change and catastrophic disaster.
4. Changing US policy .
5. Formation of multilateral economic groups like RECP, TTP etc.