PM Modi joins the nation in paying tributes to JP, Nanaji Deshmukh

New Delhi, Oct 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the country in paying tributes to the two great sons of Mother Bharat namely, Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan and Nanaji Deshmukh on their birth anniversaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi later participated in the centenary celebration of former Jan Sangh leader and one of the pioneers of Saraswati Shishu Mandir system Nanaji Deshmukh.

Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan, fondly called as ‘JP’, was a great freedom fighter and a socialist leader. His role in the fight against internal emergency of 1975 was exemplary and unique. Defying his falling health and age, he plunged into the fight against the tyranny of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

JP played a pivotal role in formation of the Janata Party that defeated the Congress in 1977 elections and propelled the Janata Party government at the Centre. However, the government did not complete its full term owning to internal contradictions within the Janata Party.

Once a diehard critic of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) JP later turned into its ardent admirer and sought their help and cooperation in combating the famine in Bihar and later in the fight against emergency. Ironically, it was Nanaji Deshmukh, who was then a leader of Jan Sangh, who saved JP from the police ‘lathi’ in Patna risking his own life.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has bowed to Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan, on his birth anniversary.

“I bow to the venerable Loknayak JP on his Jayanti. His unflinching courage and righteousness continue to inspire every Indian”, Modi said.

Tributes to Nana Deshmukh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid rich tributes to former Jan Sangh leader and social reformer Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary.

“Remembering Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary. We are constantly motivated by his noble service and emphasis on rural development”, the Prime Minister said.

Modi later attended the inauguration of the birth centenary celebration of Nanaji Deshmukh at IARI at Pusa in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister visited an exhibition on the theme “technology and rural life.” The exhibition showcases good practices and applications, as well as schemes and initiatives of the Ministry of Rural Development. He interacted with some innovators and beneficiaries.

Narendra Modi offered floral tributes to Nanaji Deshmukh and Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. He released a commemorative postage stamp on Nanaji Deshmukh.

The Prime Minister launched the DISHA Portal - a smart governance tool developed for MPs and MLAs for monitoring of implementation of various programs and schemes of different Ministries in their constituency through a single portal.

As on date, integration of datasets of 41 programs and schemes of 20 Ministries was achieved on this portal.

Modi also launched Gram Samvaad - a citizen centric mobile app to serve and empower the rural citizens of India, by facilitating single window access for citizens to information at Gram Panchayat level, on various rural development programs. The App presently covers seven programs of the Ministry of Rural Development.

The Prime Minister digitally inaugurated 11 Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) Buildings and a Plant Phenomics Facility at IARI.

Modi addressed an audience of over 10,000 people drawn from Self Help Groups, Panchayats, water conservation innovators, and beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

He said that today marks the birth anniversary of two great leaders - Nanaji Deshmukh and Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, who devoted their life to the betterment of the nation.

The Prime Minister said that Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan was deeply popular among youth. The likes of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr. Lohia were active during the 'Quit India' movement, inspired by the clarion call of Mahatma Gandhi, he added.

The Prime Minister said that Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan was never interested in power politics, and fought corruption. He said Nanaji Deshmukh also preferred to devote himself towards rural development and making our villages self-reliant, and free from poverty.

Just having the best ideas for development are not enough, the Prime Minister said. He added that initiatives have to be completed on time and the fruits of development must reach the intended beneficiaries. Efforts have to be comprehensive and 'outcome driven', not 'output driven', the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that facilities that are associated with cities must also be made available to our villages. He said that the real essence of a democracy is Jan Bhagidari and integrating people in the development journey of cities, and villages. Regular interaction with governments is required, he added.

Noting that lack of sanitation facilities is adversely impacting the development journey of villages, the Prime Minister said that is why the Government have been working to build toilets in rural areas.