Mangalore, August 18: There is no critical and analytical work on Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, said V K Nataraj, the former Director of Chennai Institute of Development Studies.
He was speaking after inaugurating Nehru Studies Centre at Old Senate Hall, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri near here on Thursday.
He said studying Indian development policies without Nehru's contribution is like studying 'sathyagrah for freedom' without Mahatma Gandhi.
He described Nehru as 'victim of historical circumstances'. “With the tremendous poverty, less than 35 year's life expectancy, problem of refugees, what the person leading the country could do?” he questioned.
Listing out several contributions of Nehru to the country, Prof Nataraj said secularism, mixed economy, outlawing untouchability, voting rights to the women, setting up of planning commission, independent foreign policy and codifying Hindu laws were among the major contributions of Nehru. “Inculcation of scientific temper and building several science institutions was one of the best contributions of Nehru,” he said.
He said this could be done only because of Nehru's political sensibility and courage, though he was not alone responsible for it.
However, Prof Nataraj complained that Nehru spent a meager amount of money on elementary education, even though he was very fond of children. Moreover, his contribution to 'dynasty rule' in the country was subjected to criticism; he pointed out and added that the corruption started to flourish during his regime, though he was not corrupt.
He said, “Irony of history is that when we had an international reputed leader, we did not have a strong economy and when we have a strong economy, we do not have leaders.”
In his presidential address, Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy, Vice Chancellor, Mangalore University, said that all the study centres and chairs functional at the University would be housed under one roof in an integrated block that would be ready by December.
He said Mangalore University has maximum number i.e. 19 study centres and chairs among universities in Karnataka including the Nehru Studies.
Prof K Chinnappa Gowda, Registrar (Evaluation), Dr R Shashidhar, Director of Nehru Studies and others were present.
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