How Did Vice-President Pay Tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Radhakrishnan honored Jayaprakash Narayan's legacy.
- The tribute took place in Sitab Diara, Bihar.
- Emphasis on moral courage and transparency.
- Call for renewed commitment to Narayan's ideals.
- Highlighting the importance of community over self-interest.
Patna, Oct 11 (NationPress) On Saturday, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan honored the memory of Bharat Ratna Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan during his 123rd birth anniversary at Sitab Diara, the esteemed leader’s ancestral village situated in Bihar’s Saran district.
During a day-long visit to Bihar, Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes at the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Memorial and toured the Lok Nayak Smriti Bhavan and Prabhavati Library in Sitab Diara.
Upon landing at Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, he was welcomed by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and high-ranking state officials.
Speaking to a gathering at Sitab Diara, Radhakrishnan expressed his gratitude for being on the sacred grounds of one of India’s greatest leaders — a genuine people’s hero and relentless advocate for justice and democracy.
“This occasion is not merely to honor a distinguished leader but to commemorate an ideal that prioritizes the nation over self, values over power, and people over politics,” the Vice-President stated.
Radhakrishnan praised Jayaprakash Narayan’s legacy as the moral compass of Indian democracy, emphasizing that from the fight for freedom to his advocacy for Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution), his life was a testament to moral fortitude, simplicity, and sacrifice.
He noted that Lok Nayak had no ambitions for power, having turned down the highest positions offered to him.
“His strength stemmed from moral authority rather than political aspirations,” Radhakrishnan remarked, recalling JP’s commitment to ensuring the people's control over power, rather than seeking to capture it.
The Vice-President also underscored JP’s significant involvement in the Bhoodan Movement, which motivated communities to prioritize collective well-being over personal interests.
Reflecting on his own experience with the Total Revolution Movement, Radhakrishnan mentioned that it was a personal honor to participate as a 19-year-old District General Secretary in Coimbatore, driven by Lok Nayak’s principles.
He paid homage to Prabhavati Devi, JP’s wife, for her unwavering commitment to India’s independence.
Characterizing Jayaprakash Narayan as a champion of empowerment who valued Lok Shakti above Rajya Shakti, the Vice-President asserted that the strength of India’s democracy today is rooted in the same ideals of transparency, accountability, public service, and moral courage that JP embodied.
“As India aspires towards Viksit Bharat 2047, it is crucial to embrace Lok Nayak’s principles in building a dynamic, inclusive, and value-oriented nation,” Radhakrishnan emphasized.
Concluding his remarks, the Vice-President stated that Bihar has gifted India one of its most honorable sons and urged citizens to reaffirm their dedication to truth, justice, non-violence, and people’s power — values that Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan stood for throughout his life.