Jawaharlal Nehru's birth anniversary to be celebrated by government in big way

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today indicated that the government will celebrate Jawaharlal Nehru's 125th birth anniversary this year in a mega way to increase awareness about 'Chacha Nehru' through a number of initiatives like organising "Year of Bal Swachhta."

Release of commemorative coins on Nehru and organising " Bal Swachhta Mission" in schools across the country between November 14 and 19 will mark the celebrations of the anniversary of the late Congress leader.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of the recently- reconstituted National Committee for Commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru chaired by the Prime Minister.

The official committee, initially set up by the Manmohan Singh government and including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, was reconstituted by Modi a few days back with none from the Gandhi family finding a place, triggering a controversy.

The PMO, however, argued that Sonia Gandhi had opted out of the committee in May itself.

At the meeting, Modi said the opportunity must be used to increase awareness about "Chacha Nehru", the name by which the first Prime Minister is popularly known, among the younger generation and seek inspiration from his life and work, a PMO statement said.

Asking the committee members to work towards a clear delineation of the events and programmes, he expressed the hope that the entire set of activities would be conducted in such a way that the common man became a part of the celebrations.

He highlighted the proposals about organising "Bal Swachhta Mission" in schools across the country between November 14 and 19 and celebrating the 125th anniversary of Nehru as "Year of Bal Swachhta."