The Modi Government on Friday kick-started the 125th Nehru Anniversary celebrations with Home Minister Rajnath Singh maintaining that the country’s first Prime Minister had no animosity for his ideological opponents seeking to hit back at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s assertions. launching the nation-wide ‘Bal Swachchhta Abhiyan’, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said Nehru belonged to the whole country and not to any political party.
“We should never have ill feelings towards our political opponents. We should not create any fear psychosis in people’s mind. We should not create any sense of fear by making unnecessary statement. We should create a sense of confidence among people. All political parties must work for that,” the Home Minister said, citing that Nehru even invited RSS to take part in the Republic Day parade in 1963. He was addressing a function organised on the occasion of Nehru’s birth anniversary.
later, when asked to explain why he made the statement, the Home Minister referred to the Congress vice-president statement at a similar function on Thursday. In his speech, Rahul had said that “angry” people are nowadays running the country and had a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the “Swachchhta Abhiyan,” saying “photo opportunities” are galore.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi skipped the Centre’s function. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, however, was present on the occasion. Rajnath said there might be difference of opinion and ideology but no one can ever think or dare to question Nehru’s intention to work for the welfare of the country.
“We did not support Nehru’s Kashmir policy. Many people did not support his policy on China. But no one can deny his significant contribution to nation building,” he said. Describing the country’s first Prime Minister as a national leader, Singh said Nehru did a lot for improving country’s economy as immediately after Independence.
“There was poverty and unemployment but he gave new direction to the economy and improved it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maneka Gandhi, who was speaking at the nation-wide launch of ‘Bal Swachchhta Abhiyan,’— the nationwide sanitation initiative-on Children’s Day, said that there was no attempt by the NDA Government to hijack or take ownership of the legacy of Nehru. “Nehruji belongs to the country and not to any particular political party,” she said.
Maneka refused to comment on the controversy over Congress not inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nehru’s birth anniversary celebration.
Cleanliness will become part of kids’ lifestyle: Jaitley
New Delhi: Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday expressed confidence that the message of cleanliness delivered as part of the Swachchh Bharat campaign would leave a lasting impression on the minds of children and become a part of their lifestyle. The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day National Children’s Film Festival. He said that apart from the film festival, a big campaign to spread awareness about cleanliness among children in schools is being initiated.
“Though keeping clean and maintaining hygiene should be a part of lifestyle and a campaign should not be needed for this... On the birthday of Pandit Nehru, there will be a special campaign on clean lifestyle in all schools,” he said.
Rs20 crore earmarked for NMMl renovation, nehru portal
New Delhi: The Union Culture Ministry has allocated Rs20 crore for the Nehru Memorial Museum and library (NMMl) for launching a Nehru portal on the lines of Gandhi Heritage Portal, publication of selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru, renovation and modernisation of Nehru Museum and other activities of such nature, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism, Mahesh Sharma.
The commemorative coins of denominations of Rs5 and Rs125 have also been released on the occasion.
Javadekar exhorts children to adopt eco-friendly habits
New Delhi: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, addressed children and students of architecture on the occasion of Children’s Day on Friday stressing on the importance of adopting habits and attitudes which are in tune with earth and environment.
He was introducing to them the green features of New Paryavaran Bhawan at Jorbagh. He further emphasised that there is no contradiction between adopting such environment-friendly habits and the ability to lead a comfortable lifestyle.