“When a republic is born, leaders create institutions. When the republic matures, the same institutions create leaders.” Elaborate the role of Nehru as an institution-maker and the leaders born out of those institutions.

“When a republic is born, leaders create institutions. When the republic matures, the same institutions create leaders.” Elaborate the role of Nehru as an institution-maker and the leaders born out of those institutions.   (15          marks, 250 words)

Answer:

In ‘Why Nations Fail’, Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argue that the key difference between the countries is their institutions. Nations thrive when the develop inclusive political and economic institutions and they fail when these institutions become extractive and concentrate power as well opportunity in the hands of few. 

Pandit Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India was a true democrat and a true institution builder. During his 16 long years of stay at the helm of the polity, he contributed in myriad directions so that India could realise its true potential. From the local to global level, Nehru was instrumental in developing stable, staple, and core institutions. These institutions helped growing the newly born republic to what it is today, while competing for a share in global governance. 

Nehru’s contribution as an institution-maker – 

1. Political Institutions 

a.     Parliament as an institution for debate, discussion and deliberation

i.       He was a true parliamentarian. He respected the right of every member in putting forward their suggestions in making the governance participative. He contributed in setting the procedures, norms and conduct of business of the parliament. 

ii.     He was man with inclusive thinking. He contributed enormously in defining the role of opposition when there was practically no opposition. He invited Dr. Ambedkar to be the first Law Minister even though he was not a part of the Congress. He advised his colleagues to keep a vigilant eye on their own conduct as no credible opposition was there. 

b.     Centre-State Relationship

i.       Nehru represented the national euphoria of independent India. He was conducive in setting institutions which were instrumental in enhancing the role of federalism in India. Institutions like National Development Council and Planning Commission were his master steps in order to understand the problems and address the issues of federal units. 

c.      Local level governance 

i.       To realise the Gandhian dream of local self governance, he facilitated the first generation of the local government. Balwant Rai Mehta committee was the first such institutional step in order to realise that dream. When these intuitions were not performing well enough and when there was a demand from many quarters to abolish them, he stood by them and said, “let them commit a million mistakes, they will learn from their own mistakes.” 2. Science and Technology

a. Nehru was instrumental in establishing many institutions of national importance which set India on path to modernity and have attained a global standing today. It included BARC, DRDO, ISRO, IITs, IIMs and AIIMS.

3.     Cultural Institutions 

a. Nehru also helped in creation and cultivation of modern India by supporting creation of various academies – of letters, drama, dance and fine arts. 

4.     International Institutions

a.     Nehru was one of the important architects of Non-alignment Movement.

b.     He also played a key role in formulating Panchsheel. 

Leaders born out of these Institutions – 

Political	GB Pant, LB Shastri, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Indira Gandhi, Kamraj
Science and Tech	Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, Vikram Sarabhai, Homi Bhabha, Roddam Narasimha, Abdul Kalam, Raja Ramanna
Culture	Kapila Vatsayana, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

The legacy of a true democrat must be sustained in all possible manners. These institutions and the leaders born off them have helped and will help establish India as mature republic.