Amit Shah Honors Nanaji’s Vision of ‘Antyodaya’
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Synopsis
Amit Shah praised PM Modi for achieving Nanaji Deshmukh's vision of 'Antyodaya,' highlighting significant progress in rural development during his speech in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. He also reflected on Nanaji's contributions and criticized past policies, emphasizing the importance of indigenous development.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi fulfills Nanaji Deshmukh's vision of 'Antyodaya.'
- 600 million citizens benefitted from various schemes.
- Nanaji's concept of 'Gramodaya' inspires rural development.
- Amit Shah critiques former policies, advocating for indigenous solutions.
- Significance of Nanaji Deshmukh's legacy in modern India.
Bhopal, Feb 27 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has realized the noble dreams of ‘Antyodaya,’ a vision held dear by Nanaji Deshmukh - a true visionary of India, stated Union Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah on Thursday in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh.
He noted that in just a decade, around 600 million Indian citizens have received homes, sanitation, sustenance, electricity, and gas connections. This outstanding accomplishment was highlighted by Amit Shah during his visit to Chitrakoot, where he spoke at a function commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh.
The Home Minister praised Nanaji's visionary principle of ‘Ekatm Manavwad,’ which was championed by his associate, Deendayal Upadhyay.
“As India moves forward with the ethos of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam’ (a Sanskrit expression meaning, 'the world is one family'), the international community now looks upon this great nation with admiration,” he remarked.
Nanaji Deshmukh's transformative idea of ‘Gramodaya’ has made Chitrakoot a model of rural development, motivating villages to transform into idyllic Gokul Grams.
Amit Shah also criticized former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's policies, expressing disappointment over the absence of indigenous elements in the policies of that time, which he believed were mere adaptations of Western ideas.
Reflecting upon the tumultuous days of the ‘Emergency,’ Amit Shah recounted the resilience of the opposition and the eventual collapse of Indira Gandhi's regime in 1977.
He remarked that Nanaji Deshmukh was among the few leaders, alongside JP (Jay Prakash Narayan), who founded the Jana Sangh and established a non-Congress government at the Center to restore democracy.
Nanaji's remarkable actions, such as his generous gesture towards his political rival, Maharani of Balrampur, further solidified his legacy, Amit Shah added.
“The late APJ Abdul Kalam aptly honored Nanaji with the title of 'Rashtra Rishi.'
Minister Shah’s visit to Madhya Pradesh, following his recent speech at the Global Investors Summit-2025 in Bhopal, carries additional significance. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was also present during the event. Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh, affectionately known as Nanaji Deshmukh, was born on October 11, 1916, during the pre-independence period. A revered social reformer and politician, he dedicated his life to education, health, and rural self-reliance.
In 1999, he received the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, and was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 2019. A prominent figure of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and a member of the Rajya Sabha, Deshmukh, after stepping away from active politics, committed himself to the Deendayal Research Institute, which he founded in 1969.
His efforts encompassed anti-poverty initiatives and minimum needs programs, agriculture, cottage industries, rural health, and education. Nanaji Deshmukh passed away on February 27, 2010, within the grounds of Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya, an institution he established.
