CM Mohan Yadav Pays Tribute to K.R. Narayanan on Birth Anniversary

Key Takeaways

Narayanan was the 10th President of India , serving from 1997 to 2002 .

He was the first person from a Dalit background to hold the office of President of India.

Madhya Pradesh CM Dr.

Mohan Yadav offered tribute on October 27 , Narayanan's birth anniversary.

Narayanan was known for actively engaging with constitutional conventions during his presidency, including returning Cabinet recommendations for reconsideration.

Annual tributes to Narayanan draw cross-party participation, reflecting his enduring stature in Indian public life.

India's first Dalit President, K.R. Narayanan, is remembered on his birth anniversary — October 27 — with tributes from leaders across the country. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav joined the national observance, offering his respects to the former head of state on social media.

In his post, CM Yadav wrote: 'पूर्व राष्ट्रपति श्रद्धेय के. आर. नारायणन जी की जयंती पर सादर नमन करता हूं' — 'I respectfully bow in tribute on the birth anniversary of former President, the revered K.R. Narayanan.'

A Presidency That Made History

Kocheril Raman Narayanan served as the 10th President of India from 1997 to 2002. His ascent to Rashtrapati Bhavan marked a defining moment in the Republic's history — he was the first person from a Dalit background to hold the nation's highest constitutional office. Born in Uzhavoor, Kerala, Narayanan rose from modest origins to become a diplomat, scholar, and statesman before reaching the presidency. His tenure was notable for an active engagement with constitutional conventions. He was known to send back Cabinet recommendations for reconsideration — a rare exercise of presidential discretion — and his public speeches consistently emphasised the ideals of social justice and democratic inclusivity that shaped his own remarkable journey.

Ceremonial Tribute, Constitutional Significance

Paying homage to former presidents on birth anniversaries is a standard part of official protocol for state chief ministers. What gives these observances weight in Narayanan's case is the layered symbolism: his life story — from a village in Kerala to the marble halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan — remains a reference point in conversations about constitutional democracy and social mobility in India. The tribute from a sitting BJP chief minister also reflects the cross-party respect Narayanan commands in Indian public life. For a statesman who once said that democracy in India must mean more than the mere holding of elections, the annual remembrance is a quiet affirmation of the values he represented.

Point of View

Cross-ideological legitimacy Narayanan commands. These annual moments also serve as implicit reminders of how far India's constitutional framework has allowed individuals from historically marginalised communities to rise. The gesture is ceremonial, but the symbolism is anything but thin.

NationPress

27 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was K.R. Narayanan?

K.R. Narayanan, full name Kocheril Raman Narayanan, was the 10th President of India, serving from 1997 to 2002. He was the first person from a Dalit background to hold the office.

When is K.R. Narayanan's birth anniversary?

K.R. Narayanan's birth anniversary is observed on October 27 each year.

What did CM Mohan Yadav say about K.R. Narayanan?

CM Mohan Yadav posted a tribute in Hindi, expressing respectful homage on the birth anniversary of the former President, calling him 'revered' (Shraddhey).

Why is K.R. Narayanan historically significant?

Narayanan was the first Dalit to become President of India, making his rise to the nation's highest constitutional office a landmark moment in Indian democracy and social history.

Which party does Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav belong to?

Dr. Mohan Yadav is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh since December 2023.