Rishihood University Foundation Program PDF

Rishihood University Foundation Program Understanding India Foundation Team UNDERSTANDING INDIA UNIT 11. DAY 1. Today’s Vocabulary ❖ ambivalent : having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas ❖ ephemeral : lasting for a very short time ❖ magnanimous : generous or forgiving ❖...

Rishihood University Foundation Program Understanding India Foundation Team UNDERSTANDING INDIA UNIT 11. DAY 1. Today’s Vocabulary ❖ ambivalent : having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas ❖ ephemeral : lasting for a very short time ❖ magnanimous : generous or forgiving ❖ cognizant : having knowledge about something ❖ intransigent : stubborn ❖ ostensible: stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so  Jawaharlal Nehru: A Critical Examination 1946: Who will be Prime Minister? ▪ India’s independence was imminent, and the interim government was to be formed in 1946. ▪ The Congress Presidency election in 1946 was critical as the President was expected to lead the interim government. ▪ Gandhi’s support was pivotal in the election of the Congress President and, by extension, the Prime Minister of independent India. 1946: Emotional Atyachar Gandhiji openly declared his support for Nehru, despite Patel’s strong backing from 11 of the 15 PCCs. Gandhiji told Nehru, “No PCC has put forward your name...only a few members of the Working Committee have.” Nehru, insisting on the top position, refused to accept a subordinate role in the government. Nehru, Gandhi and Patel Patel withdrew from the contest. Class Discussion Based on your understanding of dharma as contextual ethics, which one of the following statements do you most agree with: a. Gandhi, Nehru and Patel were ethical in their actions b. Gandhi and Patel were ethical in their actions but not Nehru c. Gandhi and Patel were not ethical in their actions, but Nehru was d. Gandhi, Nehru and Patel were not ethical in their actions 1947: Nehru becomes PM  Nehruvian Impact: Economy ▪ Established the Planning Commission in 1950 to guide Bharat’s economic strategy. ▪ Introduced the first Five-Year Plan in 1951 to prioritize agriculture, irrigation, and power. ▪ Pioneered mixed economy model, blending public and private sectors to drive growth. First Planning Commission, 1951 Nehruvian Impact: Industry and Infrastructure ▪ Created public sector enterprises to lead industrialization (e.g., BHEL, SAIL, ONGC). ▪ Focused on heavy industries, building a foundation for India’s self-reliance. ▪ Supported development of scientific institutions like the Nehru at SAIL, date unknown Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).  Nehruvian Impact: Foreign Affairs ▪ Advocated Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), steering clear of Cold War alliances. ▪ Promoted peaceful coexistence and strong diplomatic relations with other nations. ▪ Played a key role in Afro-Asian solidarity, inspiring postcolonial nations to cooperate. Nehru with NAM founders Nasser, Tito & others Nehruvian Impact: Society Enacted Hindu Code Bills to promote gender equality among Hindus. Championed secularism, supposedly ensuring religious tolerance among all. Invested in education, promoting universal primary education and adult literacy. Hindu Code Bill discussion in parliament Laid groundwork for Bharat's future space and nuclear programs. Nehruvian Blunder: Kashmir Handled Kashmir as a personal issue, leading to complications Referred Kashmir to the United Nations, internationalizing the conflict Promised a plebiscite, which remains unresolved Nehru with Jinnah in pre-partition Bharat Nehruvian Blunder: Appeasing China ▪ Declined the offer of a permanent UN Security Council seat for Bharat ▪ Supported China’s claim as he anticipated cooperation and solidarity from the dragon  Nehruvian Blunder: War with China, 1962 ▪ Underestimated the threat from China, leading to inadequate military preparation ▪ Followed a policy of “Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai,” which proved disastrous 1962 war, photo from the frontiers Nehruvian Blunder: Rejected Nepal’s Offer to Join Bharat ▪ Refused Nepal’s offer for integration with Bharat ▪ Believed in non-interference in neighboring states, missing a strategic opportunity Nehruvian Blunder: Sacking Namboodiripad Govt. ▪ Dismissed Kerala’s first democratically elected communist government in 1959 ▪ Used Article 356 to remove a legitimate government, raising concerns about democracy E.M.S. Namboodiripad, courtesy: The Quint Nehruvian Impact: Society ▪ Imposed restrictions on freedom of the press during his tenure ▪ Used laws to silence critics, impacting journalistic freedom Nehru’s record on freedom of expression Key Takeaways ▪ The first PM of independent Bharat has left behind a complex legacy ▪ He should be neither be eulogized nor dismissed. Critical thinking lies in an objective evaluation of facts and contexts References: See notes in canvas