Like Grandfather, Like Grandson!

Sanyam Jain
3 min readJan 29, 2023
Nehru and young Rajeev Gandhi

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, played a significant role in establishing several institutions and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in India. Some of the prominent institutions and PSUs founded during Nehru’s tenure include:

  1. Indian Institute of Technology (IITs): Nehru envisioned the IITs as world-class institutions that would provide education and research in cutting-edge technologies. Today, the IITs are widely regarded as some of the best engineering institutions in the world.
  2. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs): Nehru established the first IIM in Calcutta in 1961 with the goal of training top-notch managers to lead India’s public sector enterprises. Today, there are 20 IIMs across India, providing management education and research.
  3. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): Nehru established AIIMS in 1956 with the aim of providing high-quality medical education and healthcare services to the people of India. Today, AIIMS is one of the most prestigious medical institutions in India and the world.
  4. Public sector undertakings (PSUs): Nehru played a key role in setting up several PSUs in sectors such as steel, electricity, telecommunications, and heavy engineering. These PSUs were aimed at providing essential goods and services to the people, as well as promoting industrialization and economic growth.

In conclusion, Nehru’s vision and leadership were instrumental in establishing several institutions and PSUs that continue to play a crucial role in shaping India’s future. These institutions and PSUs have not only helped India achieve self-reliance and economic growth, but also provided quality education, healthcare, and essential goods and services to the people.

Jawaharlal Nehru was also an accomplished writer and authored several books, including “The Discovery of India” and “Glimpses of World History.” He was a strong advocate of secularism and equality, and worked tirelessly to promote these values in India.

Nehru was also a champion of non-alignment and advocated for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among nations. He played a key role in establishing the Non-Aligned Movement, which brought together countries that sought to remain neutral during the Cold War.

Additionally, Nehru was an avid nature lover and had a strong interest in science and technology. He was a firm believer in the power of education to transform individuals and societies, and made education a priority during his time as Prime Minister.

Overall, Jawaharlal Nehru was a multifaceted leader who made significant contributions not only to India, but also to the world. Despite his less-known achievements, his legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Rajiv Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi and grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, was the Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. As the son of India’s first female Prime Minister and the grandson of its first Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi played a significant role in Indian politics and has had a lasting impact on the country.

Rajiv Gandhi is known for introducing several reforms aimed at modernizing India and making it more competitive in the global market. He introduced policies aimed at encouraging private enterprise and reducing the role of the government in the economy, which helped spur economic growth and development. He also initiated the process of liberalizing the telecommunications sector, which led to the rapid growth of the Indian IT industry.

Furthermore, Rajiv Gandhi was a strong advocate of science and technology, and sought to promote their use in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and agriculture. He also played a key role in advancing India’s foreign policy, strengthening ties with other countries and promoting peace and stability in South Asia.

In conclusion, mentioning Rajiv Gandhi along with Jawaharlal Nehru is important because of his contributions to India’s growth and development. His efforts to modernize the country, spur economic growth, and promote the use of science and technology have had a lasting impact on India, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of leaders.

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Sanyam Jain

I am masters student in Norway. Trying to spread my intellect with the community here :)