<p>"It is because of Nehru's consistent efforts that India established itself as a secular state with equal rights for all," said former diplomat and former union minister Mani Shanker Aiyer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He was delivering a talk on 'the Nehruvian legacy and its discontents', organised by Alva's Education Foundation's speakers' club 'Rostrum' on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said, "Nehru was an extraordinary giant of our freedom struggle, a prominent maker of modern India, a great believer of pluralism, the chief architect of our democracy, socialism and secular ethos." <br />According to Nehru, the one who lives in India is considered as Indian, irrespective of his/ her religion, caste, food, dress.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It is because of his contribution to democracy, insistence on secularism, economic policies and non-alignment principle, which makes him distinguished with others in the history of Indian politics," Aiyer said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Aiyer said, "Agriculture had been virtually stagnant for half a century and the average rate of economic growth was less than 1 %. Against this dismal backdrop, Nehru made it possible to accelerate the first fifteen years estimated GDP growth at 4 % and nearly 2 % per capita as opposed to 0.1 % from 1900-47."<br /><br />Focusing on Nehru's policy of non-alignment, he said, "Nehru's non-alignment did not mean isolationism. It meant independence of judgment and action. It was not a passive but a pro-active and dynamic policy in which India was strongly committed to the goals of the United Nations and would do its best for peace in the world."</p>.<p class="bodytext">To a query on why democracy is a profuse value of Congress but not in Congressmen, he said Congress believes in the collective decision of party members and people's choice in an election.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When an audience member asked, why Rahul Gandhi should become prime minister of this country? he said, "if Indians wants to win and a secular state to be formed; it is only with Rahul Gandhi one can expect this."</p>.<p class="bodytext">In the afternoon session, he addressed journalism students of Alva's college about 'how to be an effective spokesperson for an organization'.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Alva's Education Foundation Trustee Vivek Alva, Alva's college Principal Dr Kurian, Head Alva's PG studies Journalism Dr Mouly Jeevanram, Rostrum Club Student coordinator Rohan D'Souza were present.</p>
<p>"It is because of Nehru's consistent efforts that India established itself as a secular state with equal rights for all," said former diplomat and former union minister Mani Shanker Aiyer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He was delivering a talk on 'the Nehruvian legacy and its discontents', organised by Alva's Education Foundation's speakers' club 'Rostrum' on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said, "Nehru was an extraordinary giant of our freedom struggle, a prominent maker of modern India, a great believer of pluralism, the chief architect of our democracy, socialism and secular ethos." <br />According to Nehru, the one who lives in India is considered as Indian, irrespective of his/ her religion, caste, food, dress.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It is because of his contribution to democracy, insistence on secularism, economic policies and non-alignment principle, which makes him distinguished with others in the history of Indian politics," Aiyer said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Aiyer said, "Agriculture had been virtually stagnant for half a century and the average rate of economic growth was less than 1 %. Against this dismal backdrop, Nehru made it possible to accelerate the first fifteen years estimated GDP growth at 4 % and nearly 2 % per capita as opposed to 0.1 % from 1900-47."<br /><br />Focusing on Nehru's policy of non-alignment, he said, "Nehru's non-alignment did not mean isolationism. It meant independence of judgment and action. It was not a passive but a pro-active and dynamic policy in which India was strongly committed to the goals of the United Nations and would do its best for peace in the world."</p>.<p class="bodytext">To a query on why democracy is a profuse value of Congress but not in Congressmen, he said Congress believes in the collective decision of party members and people's choice in an election.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When an audience member asked, why Rahul Gandhi should become prime minister of this country? he said, "if Indians wants to win and a secular state to be formed; it is only with Rahul Gandhi one can expect this."</p>.<p class="bodytext">In the afternoon session, he addressed journalism students of Alva's college about 'how to be an effective spokesperson for an organization'.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Alva's Education Foundation Trustee Vivek Alva, Alva's college Principal Dr Kurian, Head Alva's PG studies Journalism Dr Mouly Jeevanram, Rostrum Club Student coordinator Rohan D'Souza were present.</p>
