Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad. Called Pandit Nehru and Chacha Nehru by various sections and age-groups of the society, Jawaharlal Nehru hailed from a prominent lawyer family and began his career in law before turning to the freedom struggle.
There are two most popular versions behind the coinage of the term ‘Chacha‘ Nehru. While the most common one is his special love for children, the other is more related to his association with Mahatma Gandhi. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, before he became the first Prime Minister of India, was a prominent figure in the Indian Freedom Movement. His closeness to Mahatma Gandhi was legendary. A follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, Pandit Nehru was a capable politician and a statesman.
Many believe, that he was called Chacha because of his closeness with Mahatma Gandhi. People suggest that Chacha – Hindi for the younger brother of the father, was conferred to Pandit Nehru for he was seen as the younger brother of Mahatma Gandhi, which was lovingly referred to as ‘Bapu’ or father by many. Hence, people suggest he became famous as Chacha for he was seen as the younger brother of the father of the nation.
The other and more acceptable story is that he was rather fond of children and would meet young kids with affection. It was for his special love towards children that he came to be known as Chacha or the favourite uncle for the children of the country.