Nehru Vs Modi - A Comparison

Milestones of Indian Politics !

   Nehru Vs Modi can be crucial or brutal debate !! But to be honest to both, I will try to enumerate some differences, the readers will find them useful in determining themselves.

   Firstly, I confess - Ideologically, I am a Pro-Modi and Anti-Nehru in general. (Everyone has an opinion and a bias attached to it.) But I will try to balance my opinion to the best extent. You can correct me, where I commit a factual error or biased statement in the comparison.

1. To start with the personality traits,

Nehru - Pseudo-Liberal, Lavish and Over-materialistic lifestyle,

Modi - Proud Hindu, Disciplined and Monk-like lifestyle.

2. As to the Support and Fan base,

Nehru - He had too much supporters in the times, where Social Media was not there.

Modi - Modi, indeed, has a largest fan base of present times, as a politician. Social Media is very helpful for him to remain in touch with his supporters.

3. Emergence -

Nehru - Pandit Ji emerged as a leader from the Freedom Fight of India. He was blessed with close relations with Gandhi Ji. Nehru had a Charisma, an appeal to attract the youth of that time. He was highly qualified, having a lingual upper hand and Politically Clever to achieve his goals.

Modi - NaMo emerged as a leader in the times, when Indians in majority, have lost hopes about our Political System. Modi brought hopes ! This will be considered as his biggest achievements. Many accuse him for ‘False Promises’, but bringing back ‘HOPE’ was important and Modi did no wrong in appealing the mass sentiment for good cause.

4. Contributions -

Nehru - Often, his followers deny his mistakes and his critics deny his achievements ! Nehru achieved a lot. Like his initiative for Scientific Infrastructure in India will be remembered forever. His liberal policies help India to be safe from being extremist nation. Nehru was a Democracy-lover, which was a good quality for our first PM.

Modi - Shri. Modi, too, suffers the problem of critics who have Phobia about him. But even if analyse from an honest critic’s position- ‘Modi has achieved a lot !’… NaMo, as mentioned earlier, has RESTORED THE HOPES, and that is indeed a splendid achievement. As a PM, till the date, he has achieved some Mile Stones viz - Improved Foreign Relationships, Betterment of Image of India on International Forums, Direct Benefit Transfer Schemes which have saved Thousands of Crores for Indian Govt., Innovative Ideas and Digitalization of Governance, etc.

5. Criticism -

Nehru - As Nehru’s career is studied a lot till now, it is natural that we find more Criticism points about him. Some of the serious points are - Nehru’s over-friendly Foreign Policies which costed India a shameful defeat against China, His biased attitude towards Hindu sentiments and his controversial pseudo-socialist policies.

Modi - As Modi is the present PM, we can’t aptly judge his performance that perfectly. But to put some reasonable criticism points - Modi’s Silence over Raghuram Rajan row which costed us a Brilliant Banking Expert, Failure to shut the Loose Canons of his side, Blunder of handling Arunachal Pradesh State Government Row for which Supreme Court has slashed Modi Govt.

To conclude, Nehru and Modi are the most important milestones of Indian Politics. I, personally, don’t believe in Concept of ‘PERFECT LEADER’…. The leaders are humans and they have right to commit mistakes. The comparison should be based on the analysis of the severity of their mistakes and the importance of their achievements. So, I have tried to put a ‘Balanced Comparison’ in front of yours to the possible extent. It is up to you to decide !

(P.S. I, personally, give more points to Modi over Nehru based on his performance and character till this date.)

I have written it originally for Quora but have also put it on my blog. The link of Quora Discussion on this topic is here - Who is a better PM: Nehru or Modi?