New Delhi, 25 September (H.S.): Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, among several other leaders, on Friday paid tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary. Upadhyaya was a founding member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and a proponent of the philosophy of Antyodaya and Integral Humanism.

The Vice President said in a post on X, “I respectfully bow to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji on his birth anniversary. As a visionary thinker, patriot and champion of ‘Integral Humanism’ and ‘Antyodaya’, his timeless ideals of placing people at the centre of development and working for the upliftment of the last person in the queue continue to inspire our collective journey towards inclusive progress, social justice and nation-building.”

Birla said that the life of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya had been an inspiring example of simplicity, thoughtfulness, selfless service to the nation and dedication to the welfare of the last person in society. Through ‘Antyodaya’, Deendayal advocated giving priority in development efforts to the most deprived and disadvantaged sections of society. The essence of his thought was that development becomes meaningful only when its benefits reach the last person in society and everyone has the opportunity to lead a dignified life. His views on Swadeshi, self-reliance, social harmony and national unity continue to hold an important place in contemporary Indian discourse and discussions on nation-building. The ideas and personality of Deendayal Upadhyaya will always remain a source of inspiration.

Rajnath Singh said that Upadhyaya’s life was an inspiring example of selfless service to the nation, simplicity, honesty and unwavering commitment to principles. Through ‘Antyodaya’, he showed the way to ensure that development, opportunities and dignity reached the person standing in the last row of society. Through ‘Integral Humanism’, he presented a broad vision of inclusive, balanced and integrated development. His thoughts, life and ideals will continue to inspire people in the service of the nation and guide generations to come.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said that Deendayal regarded politics not as a means of attaining power, but as an instrument of service to the nation and the upliftment of the last person in society. Through ‘Rashtra Dharma’ and ‘Panchjanya’, he gave voice to national thought, while through several movements he raised issues concerning national unity with complete clarity.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that the thoughts and principles of Deendayal Upadhyaya provided the country with an alternative ideological perspective. His ideology played an important role in the reconstruction of the nation. With the objective of working for the welfare of the poor, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya developed the philosophy of Integral Humanism and the ideology of Antyodaya and sought to put them into practice. He paid tribute to the great visionary.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s principle of Antyodaya was an enduring source of inspiration. He gave the nation an outstanding philosophy in the form of Integral Humanism, which, he said, constituted a foundation for a developed and self-reliant India. His exemplary life and noble thoughts, Chouhan said, would continue to inspire everyone to work for national upliftment and public welfare.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar