‘Nehruvian policies still relevant’

The policies pursued by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the domestic, economic and foreign fronts were relevant even today, S. Bhaskaran, Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education said on Saturday.

Nehruvian policies were relevant today to eradicate poverty that still persists; as well as to create an egalitarian society and to strengthen the country further on all fronts, Dr. Bhaskaran said inaugurating a national seminar on “Jawaharlal Nehru The Architect of Modern India: Issues and Perspectives in Contemporary India” at the Bharathidasan University here.

The two-day seminar organised by the Centre for Nehru Studies, Bharathidasan University, is funded by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi.

Describing Nehru as a Socialist, Mr. Bhaskaran said Nehru’s foremost step as the first Prime Minister of Independent India was the formation of the Planning Commission to draft long-term plans to develop the country on all fronts.

Nehru had a grand vision to transform India economically and enhance the status of the country at the global level. Alongside establishing heavy industries across the country, Pandit Nehru had devised strategies to remove poverty.

The ‘Panchsheel’ and Non-Alignment policy followed by India during Nehru’s regime elevated the image of the country making it a major power at the global level. India commanded the respect during Nehru’s era, he said.

Nehru’s domestic and foreign policies were relevant even in the changed environment today, he pointed out. The Vice Chancellor of Bharathidasan University M. Ponnavaikko described Nehru as a true statesman.

Dr. P.K. Shukla, Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum Library, New Delhi and former Member Secretary, Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi and Dr. N. Rajendran, Director, Centre for Nehru Studies spoke on the occasion.

Senior scholars, history teachers, research scholars and students are taking part in the seminar. The proceedings of the seminar will be published in the form of a book after the seminar.