Democracy, Diversity, Inclusion & Secularism

India's first and longest serving Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was a man of vision. A foreign-educated barrister and close confidante of Mahatma Gandhi, he was a firm believer in nation building, as he understood that the young Indian nation had a tryst with destiny.

He gave his people a new weapon, which ultimately delivered them from colonial rule. This weapon was Satyagraha. He transformed the cowed and the weak into a nation which fearlessly asserted its right to be free.

Shastriji was a man of quiet greatness, who lived for India and for peace. He was identified with the Indian people, imbued with the spirit of service, and always thought of the welfare of the people.

Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was a scholar, a social reformer and a leader who dedicated his life to eradicating social inequality in India. He established an India of equals.

She was a woman of courage and admired people with fighting spirit. She had said, "Every drop of my blood will contribute to the growth of this nation and make it strong and dynamic."

At 41, Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest Prime Minister of India. Besides being the harbinger of a generational change in the country, Mr. Gandhi received the biggest mandate in the nation's history.