CM Majhi Marks Advani's Entry Into 100th Year
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A century of public life is a rare thing — and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi marked the moment on Sunday, 8 November 2026, paying tribute to Bharat Ratna Lal Krishna Advani as the veteran BJP patriarch enters his 100th year.
Majhi's post saluted Advani's 'unwavering conviction, commitment to democratic values and selfless service to the nation,' calling his journey 'a century of dedication, a lifetime devoted to the nation.' He also drew attention to a reflective article penned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Advani's life, ideals, and enduring legacy.
From RSS Pracharak to Bharat Ratna
Lal Krishna Advani is among the most consequential figures in modern Indian political history. A career that began in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh stretched across decades of opposition politics, the founding and national expansion of the Bharatiya Janata Party through the 1980s and 1990s, and a term as Deputy Prime Minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His role in transforming the BJP from a fringe outfit into a dominant national force is widely acknowledged across the political spectrum.
In 2024, the government conferred upon him the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour — a recognition that cemented his place in the pantheon of post-independence nation-builders.
Modi's Tribute Article and the BJP's Pattern of Public Acknowledgement
Prime Minister Modi's decision to author a written reflection on Advani's life is consistent with the BJP's long-standing practice of publicly honouring its ideological mentors and founding figures. For a party that traces much of its organisational DNA to Advani's era, the centenary year carries both personal and institutional weight.
CM Majhi's tribute from Bhubaneswar adds a state-level voice to what is shaping up as a broader BJP acknowledgement of the milestone — with central and state leaders likely to mark the centenary year with official events and statements in the weeks ahead.
Advani's story — nine decades of public life, the highs of government and the depths of opposition, decorated finally with the Bharat Ratna — is a reminder that in Indian democracy, longevity of conviction can itself become a form of legacy. The tributes are only beginning.