Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 137th birth anniversary, which is also celebrated as Children’s Day across
India.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, “Paying tribute to former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary.”
Paying tribute to former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 14, 2026
Rajnath Singh also paid homage to India’s first prime minister, recalling his contribution to the freedom struggle and his leadership during the formative years of independent India.
“On the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Ji, I pay my tributes to him. His contribution to India’s freedom struggle and his leadership as the first Prime Minister of independent India left an enduring imprint on the formative years of our nation,” the Defence Minister wrote on X.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute to Nehru, describing him as the “jewel of India”. In his post on X, the Congress leader said freedom was not the destination but “a milestone in the nation’s new journey”. He added that Swaraj was not merely about power but also about every citizen’s participation and responsibility towards the country’s future.
Rahul Gandhi said Nehru’s dream of a modern, scientific, progressive and self-confident India continued to inspire the country.
“Their dream of a modern, scientific, progressive, and self-confident India remains our inspiration today,” he said, adding that efforts to build such an India would be the “true tribute” to Nehru.
November 14 is observed as Children’s Day, or Bal Diwas, in India to mark the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, who was popularly known as ‘Chacha Nehru’ because of his affection for children. After Nehru’s death on May 27, 1964, it was unanimously decided to observe his birthday as Children’s Day in his memory.
Born on November 14, 1889, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Nehru became India’s first prime minister on August 15, 1947, after playing an active role in the country’s freedom struggle. He remained in office until his death in 1964.
