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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Criticizes Jawaharlal-Nehru, Alleging Nehru Thought Indians Were Lazy

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In a recent statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took issue with India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal-Nehru, asserting that Nehru believed Indians were inherently inactive.

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“Nehru ji had said from top of the Red Fort that Indians don't have a habit of working hard. He said that we Indians don't work as hard as those in Europe, Japan, China, Russia and US. Nehru ji thought that Indians are lazy,” the prime minister said in his reply to ‘Motion of Thanks’ to President's address in the Lok Sabha.

In his 1959 address to the nation, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru underscored the importance of hard work for the growth of a community. He stated, "How does a community grow? It is through hard work. Our country will progress through hard work and will generate wealth. Look at prosperous countries across the world. How did they achieve it? It is through hard labor."


Nehru's Perspective on Work Ethic in India

According to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, "In India, people are not accustomed to working hard. It is not our fault; such habits are ingrained due to the situation. However, we don't work as diligently as the people in Europe, Japan, China, Russia, and America do. Prosperity in those countries didn't come through magic but through hard work. We have no other option but to progress through hard work and intelligence."