Lucknow, 11 Oct (HS): UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

joined national leaders in paying homage to Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth

anniversary, recognizing his legacy as a visionary social reformer, nationalist

leader, and rural development pioneer. Nanaji Deshmukh did substantial

grassroots work in Uttar Pradesh, notably in Gorakhpur, where he established

the first Vidya Bharati school in 1950. He also served as a Member of

Parliament from Balrampur. At the age of 60, he changed his concentration away

from electoral politics and toward Gramodaya (village development), founding

Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya, India's first rural university. Padma

Vibhushan was awarded in 1999, while India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat

Ratna, was presented posthumously in 2019.

“On the birth anniversary of Nanaji Deshmukh, a founding

member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, 'Rashtrarishi', and 'Bharat Ratna', humble

tribute. Believing in Gramoday, self-reliance, and Antyodaya as the foundation

of nation-building, he dedicated his entire life to public service, rural

development, and social upliftment. His great ideals inspire us to build an

egalitarian and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'” UP CM mentioned in a post on X.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi