Nehru and His World Order: A Global Survey

The world order of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) has always been a subject of considerable scholarly and global interest, and yet these are not too many books where the said subject has been extensively dealt with. Shri Attar Chand’s book is such a one which is based on sufficient study and research and covers all the important phases and facets 0f Nehru, highlighting the period 1920-1988 to present a study of Nehru’s ideas and impact. The essays contained in the volume present interpretations of Nehru’s philosophy and thoughts, viz., his strong adherence to democratic principles, his deep love for secularism, his great desire to see world free form tension and exploitation and his unending efforts at global cooperation for the good of the mankind, and his economic policies. Nehru’s contributions to the organization and consolidation of the Indian National Congress as a vehicle for the struggle for Freedom have been well evaluated in some of the essay. Nehru has been depicted as one of the makers of independent India and the values in the field of democracy, secularism, socialism and non-alignment set by Nehru have been discussed. Shri Attar Chand has augmented the collection with an elaborate and exhaustive introduction which not only throws ample light on the life, philosophy and achievements of Nehru as a leader of the Freedom Movement and the first prime minister of independent India, but also closely examines the far reaching results of Nehru’s economic policies and reforms. India’s planning since the First Five Year Plan, during Nehru’s time and after has been evaluated without any bias or prejudice. The introduction may be studies also as a well-researched study of India’s foreign policy as propounded and set in motion by Nehru. Shri Attar Chand’s work contains writings by some eminent persons who have lived and worked with Nehru for years. The book provides the readers with a historical perspective of Nehru’s world order.