Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur, a Socialist Icon: 10 facts to know about 'Jan Nayak'

Karpoori Thakur, known affectionately as "Jan Nayak" (people"s leader), is the 49th recipient of Bharat Ratna, the country"s highest civilian award

NewsBharati    24-Jan-2024 09:55:08 AM
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In a significant development, two-time Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur has been named for the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna posthumously, a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said. This announcement came on the eve of the birth centenary of Thakur.


Thakur, known affectionately as 'Jan Nayak' (people's leader), is the 49th recipient of the country's highest civilian award. The award was last conferred on late President Pranab Mukherjee in 2019.

Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur bihar cm
 
 
1.Born on January 24, 1924, Thakur is credited for his efforts to strengthen the backward castes in Bihar. The village where he was born in Samistupur district was renamed after him as Karpuri Gram.

 

2.Thakur abandoned college education for the Indian freedom struggle and was arrested between 1942 and 1945 for participating in the Quit India Movement.
 

3.He won his election for the first time in 1952, and since then never lost a single election in his career.

 



4.Karpoori Thakur paved the way for reservations for backward castes in government services in Bihar in 1978
 

5.Thakur's tenure as chief minister is also best remembered for implementing the recommendations of the Mungeri Lal Commission, which introduced quotas for backward classes in the state. This commission paved the way for the Mandal Commission.





6.
He served as chief minister from December 1970 to June 1971 and from December 1977 to April 1979.

 
7.He was the first non-Congress socialist leader to serve as chief minister twice.
 
 
8. Karpoori Thakur was inspired by heavyweights like Ram Manohar Lohia who spearheaded the socialist movement in post-Independent India. He was also close to Jayaprakash Narayan.


9.Karpoori Thakur passed away on February 17, 1988.

 

10.His policies and reforms brought about significant changes in areas such as education, employment, and farmer welfare.
Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur Jan Nayak Bihar OBC backward caste