2014 - Jawaharlal Nehru 125th Birth Anniversary | Commemorative Coin

The 5th commemorative coin of 2014 was released to mark the 125th Birth Anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India’s first Prime Minister, remains one of the most formative figures in the country’s modern history. Born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad, he grew up in a privileged yet intellectually stimulating environment under the guidance of his father, Motilal Nehru. Educated in England at Harrow and Cambridge, Nehru returned to India with a keen interest in science, rational thought and political reform. His involvement in the freedom movement was shaped by Mahatma Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation, which transformed him from a Western-educated lawyer into a mass leader committed to India’s struggle against colonial rule. Through imprisonment, political turmoil and ideological debates, Nehru emerged as one of the most influential architects of the nationalist movement, advocating a vision of freedom that combined political independence with social justice, economic development and secular democracy.

With India’s independence in 1947, Nehru assumed the responsibility of guiding a nation emerging from colonial rule, communal violence and economic underdevelopment. His leadership laid the foundation for India’s parliamentary democracy, emphasizing the principles of equality, liberty and pluralism. He championed a planned economic model to modernize India’s infrastructure, industries and scientific capabilities, initiating the establishment of large public-sector institutions, research centres and educational hubs. Institutions like the IITs, scientific bodies and cultural academies flourished under his vision of building a self-reliant and enlightened nation. Nehru firmly believed that science and rationality were essential for progress, and his policies reflected a commitment to nurturing talent, promoting research and reducing social disparities.

Nehru’s foreign policy was equally defining, rooted in the principles of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence. At a time when the world was divided by Cold War rivalry, he advocated an independent path for India, seeking friendly relations with all nations while avoiding entanglement in military blocs. His writings, particularly The Discovery of India, Glimpses of World History and Letters from a Father to His Daughter, revealed his profound love for Indian culture, his belief in universal humanism and his ability to communicate complex ideas with simplicity and warmth. His emphasis on children as the future of the nation led to his birthday, 14 November, being celebrated as Children’s Day across India.

The year of his 125th Birth Anniversary in 2014 was marked by nationwide tributes to his legacy, reflecting on his contributions to nation-building and democratic values. The Government of India, educational institutions and cultural organizations revisited his ideas on democracy, scientific temper and national development, reaffirming their relevance in contemporary times.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s life was dedicated to the dream of a united, progressive and democratic nation. His vision continues to influence India’s institutions, its political ethos and its aspirations for the future. As the country reflects on his 125-year journey from his birth to his enduring legacy, Nehru remains a symbol of hope, intellectual curiosity and steadfast commitment to building a nation where freedom, opportunity and dignity are accessible to all.

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