Nehru believed in democracy not demagoguery: Congress pays tributes to India's first PM
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday paid rich tributes to India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary and said he simply refuses to go away in spite of a systematic "6D effort" being made since 2014 to defame, distort, deny, denigrate, diminish, and demolish him and his legacy.
Paying tributes to Nehru, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asserted that Nehru laid a strong foundation of independent India with his visionary leadership.
Gandhi said Nehru's contribution in the establishment of social justice, modernity, education, Constitution and democracy is invaluable.
Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes to Nehru at his memorial at Shanti Van here.
In a post in Hindi on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shared a quote of Nehru that "Citizenship lies in serving the country".
"Humble tributes on the death anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji, who took India from zero to the top, the creator of modern India, the fearless guardian of democracy, who made India develop in scientific, economic, industrial and various fields, who constantly gave the message of 'unity in diversity' to the country, our source of inspiration," Kharge said.
He said the 21st century India cannot be imagined without the contribution of Nehru.
In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Respectful tributes to India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji on his death anniversary."
"With the dream of a strong and inclusive India, Nehru ji laid a strong foundation of independent India with his visionary leadership. His contribution in the establishment of social justice, modernity, education, constitution and democracy is invaluable," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
The legacy of 'Hind ke Jawahar' and his ideals will always guide us," Gandhi said.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also paid tributes to Nehru.
"Today is the 61st death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, who simply refuses to go away in spite of a systematic 6D effort being made - since 2014 especially - to defame, distort, deny, denigrate, diminish, and demolish him and his legacy," he said.
Nehru's contributions to the making of modern India are most fundamental and profound, Ramesh said.
"He remains a source of great inspiration to all those committed to the idea of an India anchored in the finest of its own composite heritage, an open, liberal and secular democracy with its Constitutional goals of social, economic and political justice, modern science and technology with a scientific temper at its roots and an India that stands exclusive globally by being uncompromisingly inclusive at home," Ramesh said.
"For Nehru, democracy and yet more democracy was the oxygen which gave meaning to our lives, not demagoguery. He was authoritative without being authoritarian. He was not just an outstanding public figure who read, wrote, and shaped history decisively - perhaps more importantly, a good, decent, large-hearted, reflective, and noble human being with no insecurities whatsoever which he would have to overcome with bluffs, brags, and bombasts as we are seeing daily since May 26, 2014," Ramesh said.
For Nehru, India was one and many at the same time, he said.
Nehru's entire life was devoted to deepening that oneness while at same time celebrating the many diversities that have defined India, Ramesh said.
"To reclaim the idea of India that is now under so much assault, we have to reclaim the ideas of Nehru himself," he said.
"Nehru wrote his will and testament ten years before he passed away. It is written in 'sparkling prose' that is so very poetic," he said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared a quote of Nehru on X that – "What we think today and what we do, creates tomorrow's India."
“Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru dreamed of an India that would move forward with the help of science and technology and compete with the modern world. For this, he laid the foundation of dozens of educational, scientific, industrial, technical, social and economic institutions which are the backbone of India today and are strengthening India as the pillar of our progress,” she said in a post in Hindi on X.
The country will always remember his great contribution, Priyanka Gandhi said in her tributes to “the maker of modern India”.
The Congress, from its official X handle, also paid tributes to Nehru on his death anniversary.
"On his death anniversary, we honour the nation's first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, whose vision shaped modern India. His ideals of democracy, secularism and scientific temper continue to guide our way forward," the party said.
"Heartfelt tributes to his unmatched legacy and leadership," it added.
India's first and longest-serving prime minister, Nehru, died in office in 1964.
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Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
