Jawaharlal Nehru's Legacy to Inspire Scientific Temper and Defend Democratic Ideals Amid Modern Challenges

 

 Happy Birthday to our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, his legacy speaks volumes about the ideals he cherished and the values he strived to build modern India. When he mourned Gandhi's death with the words, “The light has gone out of our lives,” it was not merely an expression of grief—it was a warning and a call to action, an understanding that a profound sense of guidance, wisdom, and compassion was slipping away. Nehru saw the light of knowledge, justice, and humanity as essential for India to thrive, and today, on his birth anniversary, we must ask ourselves: Are we nurturing or neglecting that light?

Nehru’s commitment to rational thought and scientific temper was, for him, the foundation of a society that could question, grow, and progress. He saw knowledge and inquiry as the pillars that could lead India to a dignified place on the world stage. Today, as we witness wars in Ukraine and the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, the values of peace and diplomacy he upheld feel both urgent and fragile. Nehru’s approach to global relations, based on non-alignment, would have called for empathy and resolute diplomacy to address these crises and protect the innocent.

The situation in Delhi underscores a deep environmental and moral crisis. The pollution that has reached dangerous levels in the nation’s capital, forcing children indoors on a day meant to celebrate them, is emblematic of our failure to safeguard their futures. Nehru, who saw children as the “nation's future,” would undoubtedly be troubled by this reality. He’d remind us that democracy is hollow if it does not offer every child a healthy, just, and promising future.

Democracy, in Nehru’s vision, was not simply about political structures but about creating an equitable society where justice, opportunities, and resources were accessible to all. Without these, democracy is only an empty shell. His legacy challenges us to reclaim that light he feared was fading. Let us remember Nehru’s birth anniversary not just in words, but through actions that honour his vision—by promoting justice, protecting the environment, upholding democracy, and building a society worthy of future generations.

Jawaharlal Nehru, also, played a pivotal role in shaping India's scientific landscape. He believed that science and technology were essential for India’s progress and modernization, and he emphasized a scientific temperament and planned development as the foundation of the newly independent nation.

Globally as well in India, one can see the Indians, who benefited from Nehru’s vision of education and scientific research Institutes.  Nehru’s vision went beyond creating institutions; he believed in cultivating a scientific mindset among the Indian people. He saw science not just as a tool for technological advancement but also as a way to combat superstitions and encourage rationality.

Nehru believed that educating young Indians in science and technology would equip the country for the future. He focused on building a strong educational infrastructure to nurture future scientists and engineers.

His efforts laid a robust foundation, positioning India as a nation capable of making significant contributions in fields like space research, nuclear technology, and engineering. Nehru’s legacy is evident in the scientific institutions he established, which continue to drive India's research and innovation.

At a time when the world is passing through difficult phases, not only politically but also socially and economically, while hate is being manufactured based on falsehood and modern machines like social media work against minorities or migrants, lies are being wired in the hearts and minds of the larger people. We need the vision of Nehru and people like him to rejuvenate the scientific temper and democratic values in the youth.