Foundation Of India: What Nehru Made For A Modern Nation

Many people today ask, “What did Jawaharlal Nehru do for India in 70 years?” This question is often asked by those people who do not know what was the real condition of India when it became independent. In 1947 India was a country with great needs, and faced many challenges after centuries of colonial rule. This post tells about the important works and thinking of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, whose work laid the foundation of today’s modern India.

The Beginning Of India: A Nation With Needs

When India gained independence and Jawaharlal Nehru took over as Prime Minister, the country faced serious problems. The new nation was not stable, and its people were struggling daily. India was a land that needed major changes to stand on its feet.

Low literacy rate

At independence, only 20% of the people of India could read and write. This meant that most citizens did not have basic education. An illiterate population has difficulty learning new skills, understanding complex ideas, or participating in the modern economy. This also makes it difficult to build a strong democracy where people can take decisions thoughtfully. To create a skilled workforce and aware citizens, India needed to rapidly reform its education system from the beginning.

Widespread poverty

More than 45% of Indians were living in deep poverty. This meant that almost half of the country’s people did not have adequate food, clean water, living space and basic health services. Such widespread poverty led to poor health, low life expectancy, and hardships that lasted for generations. No nation can become strong when so many people are struggling just to survive. To correct this, larger plans were needed for economic growth and a more fair distribution of resources.

Food shortages and dependence

India did not produce enough grain to feed its people. The country often had to import food from other countries to prevent mass starvation. This weakened India against international prices and political pressures. It was a great weakness for a large and newly independent country to depend on others for basic food security. The leaders knew that for India to be truly independent, it would have to grow its own food and become self-reliant.

Lack of industries

When India became independent, it had almost no factories or big industries. The transcript states that “not even a single needle was made” in India. This meant that the country could not produce its own goods, create jobs, or build a strong economy. Without industries, people did not have jobs, and India had to buy almost everything from other countries. To create jobs and money, it was very important to create factories and start new businesses.

Economic situation

At that time, India’s economy was small. This was just 3% of the world’s total economic output (GDP). This low share showed that India was not a big player on the global economic stage. Its economy was mostly based on farming and underdeveloped. To improve the lives of its people, India had to grow its economy very rapidly and become a more important part of the global market.

Building Blocks Of Modern India: Nehru’s Vision

Jawaharlal Nehru and his government faced these big problems with a clear vision. He knew that to take India forward, he would have to build a strong foundation in education, industry, agriculture and research. He started many big projects that will shape the future of India for decades.

Creating centres of excellence in education

Nehru’s government understood that the progress of any country depends on its capable people. He created world-class institutions to train the smartest minds.

Indian Institute of Technology (IITs): These engineering and technology colleges were built to produce very capable engineers and scientists. The first IIT was established in Kharagpur in 1951. Years later, more IITs opened, becoming recognized worldwide for their quality. He created the talent needed to build dams, run factories and develop new technology. These institutions remain pillars of India’s scientific and technological strength.
Indian Institute of Management (IIMs): To manage the growing economy and industries, India needed capable business leaders. In the early 1960’s, IIMs looked to Management Education. He trained professionals to lead companies and organizations, which helped India’s business grow and become more efficient.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): For better healthcare and medical research, AIIMS was established in 1956 in New Delhi. The institute provides advanced medical education, conducts important research, and provides high-quality medical treatment to people from all walks of life. AIIMS became a model of medical excellence throughout the country.

These institutions were not just about teaching. He was about creating a future where India could solve its own problems, innovate and compete at the global level.

Large-scale infrastructure: dams for development

To overcome food shortages and provide electricity for new industries, Nehru’s government invested heavily in large dam projects. These dams were called “temples of modern India” because they brought water, electricity and hope.

Bhakra Nangal Dam: Built on the Sutlej River, the dam was one of India’s earliest and largest multi-purpose dam projects. Completed in 1963, the dam irrigated large fields in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. It also generated the necessary hydroelectric power, which helped run new factories and illuminate homes.
Hirakud Dam: The Hirakud Dam, located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, was completed in 1957. It controlled floods, provided irrigation facilities for agricultural land and generated hydroelectricity. It played an important role in the development of this area.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: Built on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), the dam was completed in 1967. It created a very large reservoir that irrigated millions of acres of land, greatly increasing agricultural production in the southern states. It also generated a lot of electricity.

These dams changed the face of Indian farming. He helped reduce India’s dependence on imported food and promoted the Green Revolution in later years. They also supplied essential electricity to industries and households, improving the quality of life of millions of people.

Laying the foundation of the industry

To move beyond a country that imports everything, Nehru’s government focused on creating heavy industries. He understood that basic industries like steel and energy were essential for true economic freedom.

Steel plant:
Bhilai Steel Plant: Founded with Soviet help in Chhattisgarh, it began production in 1959.
Rourkela Steel Plant: Built with German help in Odisha, it began operating in 1959.
Bokaro Steel Plant: Another large plant in Jharkhand, established with Soviet cooperation, began production in the late 1960s.
These steel plants created the basic materials needed to build everything else –, from bridges and buildings to machinery and railway tracks. These were very important for India’s industrial growth.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL): Founded in 1964, BHEL was created to manufacture heavy electrical equipment for power generation. It manufactured turbines, generators and other equipment required for India’s power sector. Due to this, India became less dependent on foreign suppliers for its energy infrastructure.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC): ONGC, founded in 1956, was tasked with finding and producing oil and natural gas inside India. This was an important step towards energy security. Before ONGC, India was heavily dependent on imported oil. Its work helped in finding new energy sources within the country, which reduced foreign exchange expenditure and ensured continuous supply of energy for industries and transportation.

These industrial projects were huge tasks. They created thousands of jobs, trained a new generation of skilled workers, and provided modern India with the raw materials and energy needed for development.

To promote scientific research

Nehru believed in the power of science and technology for the development of the country. His government created several research organizations to push the boundaries of knowledge and apply it to India’s problems.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO): Though formally established in 1969, it traces its roots to early space efforts supported by Nehru’s vision in the 1960s. ISRO has since become one of the world’s leading space agencies, known for its cost-effective missions and advances in satellite technology.
Other research institutions: In addition to ISRO, several other research labs and centers were established in various fields, including nuclear energy, agriculture and medicine. These institutions promoted scientific inquiry and innovation, helping India develop its own solutions to various challenges.

These efforts ensured that India would not only copy technology but also create its own technology. He promoted a culture of scientific thinking and problem-solving, which is very important for any moving country.

The Legacy Of A Visionary

Questions about Nehru’s contribution often come from a lack of understanding of India’s past. When he took charge, India was broken, hungry and mostly uneducated. It had almost no industry and little power on the world stage.

Nehru’s leadership created the necessary tools for India’s future. He created IIT, IIM and AIIMS to make India smart and efficient. He oversaw the construction of large dams such as Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud and Nagarjuna Sagar to feed and power the country. He started steel plants like Bhilai, Rourkela and Bokaro and energy companies like ONGC to build India’s industrial strength. He also supported the development of scientific bodies such as ISRO.

These efforts laid the fundamental foundation for India’s journey from a poor, agrarian society to a diversified and growing economy. The institutions and infrastructure established by him still serve as the pillars of modern India. Understanding these early points helps us appreciate the long and challenging path that India has set and the vision that guided its first steps as an independent nation.

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