Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 – 1964) was a principal leader of the Indian nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s. Upon India's independence in 1947, he served as the country's Prime Minister for 17 years. In international affairs, he steered India clear of the two blocs of the Cold War.
A well-regarded author, his books written in prison, such as "Letters from a Father to His Daughter" (1929), "Glimpses of World History", "An Autobiography" (1936) and "The Discovery of India" (1946), have been read around the world. Described as Hindu agnostic, and styling himself as a "scientific humanist", Nehru thought that religious taboos were preventing India from moving forward and adapting to modern conditions. In his autobiography, he analysed Christianity and Islam, and their impact on India. He wanted to model India as a secular country; his secularist policies remain a subject of debate.
Jawaharlal Nehru was born in a Kashmiri Brahmin family. His father, Motilal Nehru (1861–1931), a wealthy barrister who belonged to the Kashmiri Pandit community, served twice as president of the Indian National Congress. Jawaharlal was the eldest of three children. His elder sister, Vijaya Lakshmi, later became the first female president of the United Nations General Assembly. His youngest sister, Krishna Hutheesing, authored books on her brother and niece Indira Gandhi.
President Rajendra Prasad awarded him the Bharat Ratna in 1955 without taking advice from the Prime Minister as would be the normal constitutional procedure as Nehru himself was Prime Minister then.
Many public institutions and memorials across India are dedicated to Nehru's memory.
His birthday, 14 November is celebrated in India as Bal Divas ("Children's Day"). Children across India remember him as Chacha Nehru ("Uncle Nehru").