New Delhi, Nov. 14 President Pratibha Patil met children at her official residence in New Delhi on Saturday on the occasion of the 120th birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Patil encouraged the children to lead the nation and make it proud.

"These children have to do a lot of work in the future, as they are the ones who will take this nation on the path of progress. They have to do proud to their family, society and the nation. ow, the children have to taken care of the nation," Patil said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister P Chidambaram attended a cultural function in the capital city.

Hundreds of dancers wearing traditional attire performed on stage on singing traditional folk songs.

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal also graced a cultural event to encourage young children.

Born in 1889, Nehru joined the freedom struggle at a very early age. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, he was imprisoned several times for political activities.

Under Nehru, an advocate of scientific method and modern technology, India made giant technical, industrial and social advances.

An ardent democrat and an internationalist, Nehru, along with President Nassar of Egypt and President Tito of undivided Yugoslavia, founded the Non-Aligned Movement.

Nehru was the Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964. (ANI)