In July, 1957, Pandhit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Prime Minister of India, visited the International Training Centre for Aerial Survey (ITC) in Delft. The distinguished guest was conducted through the building by the rector, Professor Dr. Ir. Willem Schermerhorn who explained various aspects of aerial survey and the international training program. On leaving, Nehru gave in impromptu speech on the front steps, praising the work of the ITC and expressing his wish to have a similar institute in India. He concluded by lauding the ITC's example of international fellowship.
This was, all in all, a rather remarkable visit.
"But even more important is that here people from completely different origins, race, color and religion, are learning to interact in unity, and to work and reside together. In short: to live together"
- Pandhit Jawahar Lal Nehru, 1957 -
[Source: 60 years of ITC, The International Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, Nil Disco (2010)]