Jawaharlal Nehru death anniversary: Modi pays tributes to first PM, remembers his contribution

Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to the country’s first prime minister Jahawarlal Nehru on his 55th death anniversary. Modi, otherwise a fierce critic of Nehru and his policies, also remembered his contribution to the nation building. "Tributes to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Ji on his death anniversary. We remember his contributions to our nation," the prime minister-elect wrote on Twitter.

Besides Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other prominent leaders paid floral tributes to Nehru at Shantivan in Delhi. 

"Many democratic nations as young as India, soon degenerated into dictatorships. On his death anniversary, let us remember Jawaharlal Nehru Ji’s contribution in building strong, independent, modern institutions, that have helped democracy survive in India for over 70 years, Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

Nehru was born to Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. Independent India's first and longest serving prime minister, he remained in office until his death on May 27, 1964.