President says Nehru respected Opposition

Describing Jawaharlal Nehru as the jewel of India, President Pranab Mukherjee attributed modern India as Nehru's creation. President's remarks come even as the bitter tussle continued in the political circle over the Nehru's 125th birth anniversary celebrations.

Describing Jawaharlal Nehru as the jewel of India, President Pranab Mukherjee attributed modern India as Nehru's creation.

Jawaharlal-Nehru

"India is what it is today because of Nehru. Let us celebrate his legacy and draw inspiration from his life," President said, delivering the 46th Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture in the 125th birth anniversary of the country's first Prime Minister.

President's remarks come even as the bitter tussle continued in the political circle over the Nehru's 125th birth anniversary celebrations.

Mukherjee, in fact, cited both Indo-US Nuclear deal and the 2014 general election as key moments of India's recent history and said that these milestones reflect "how Nehru's legacy is not just intact, but continues to lead modern day India."

Interestingly, the President underlined how Nehru carried the Opposition along with him in parliament even in the absence of an established Opposition leader - a situation that prevails in the current parliament. "Nehru was aware that the lack of an established Opposition meant significant weakness in the system," said the President.

"Nehru frequently met Opposition leaders to exchange ideas on crucial issues and asked his Ministers to welcome probing questions and debates. Even though, there was no formal opposition party, Nehru gave highest respect to Opposition leaders," Mukherjee added.

Home minister Rajnath Singh will kick start the government's celebrations of the milestone event on Thursday. The government is set to launch a portal on Nehru, release commemorative coins and organize a series of lectures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already asked his machinery to start "Swachh Bal Abhiyan" on the occasion to promote sanitation and cleanliness.