Nehru: Builder of Modern India | A Documentary series by The Hindu | Promo

What kind of nation did Jawaharlal Nehru envision, and how much of that vision survives today? As India’s first Prime Minister, Nehru played a defining role in shaping the country’s political, economic and social foundations. From economic planning and secularism to socialism and non-alignment, his ideas influenced the direction of a newly independent nation. But decades later, many of his policies and decisions are being questioned. Was Nehru a visionary statesman or a leader who made costly mistakes? Was his faith in democracy and institutions justified? And what should we make of his legacy in today’s India?Updated - November 14, 2026 01:49 pm IST