Khattar pays tribute to former President K.R. Narayanan on birth anniversary
Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar paid his respects to India's 10th President K.R. Narayanan on his birth anniversary, honouring Narayanan's legacy as the first Dalit President and his contributions to national service and social upliftment.
Key Takeaways
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar paid tribute to former President K.R.
Narayanan on his birth anniversary, 27 October 2026 .
Narayanan served as India's 10th President from 1997 to 2002 .
Narayanan was the first Dalit to serve as President of India.
Before the presidency, Narayanan had a career in diplomacy and served as Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University .
Annual tributes to former constitutional office-holders are a standard feature of Indian political culture, observed across party lines.
India's 10th President K.R. Narayanan — the first Dalit to hold the nation's highest constitutional office — was remembered on his birth anniversary, Tuesday, 27 October 2026, with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar leading tributes from political circles.
Posting on X, Khattar offered his respectful remembrance in Hindi — 'सादर नमन' ('respectful salutation') — honouring Narayanan for his 'unparalleled efforts towards national service and the upliftment of society.'
Narayanan served as President from 1997 to 2002, a tenure defined by constitutional conscientiousness and a steady hand at Rashtrapati Bhavan during a period of coalition politics. Before ascending to the presidency, he had a distinguished career as a diplomat and served as Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University. His elevation to the highest office marked a historic milestone for India's Dalit community.
Annual tributes to former constitutional office-holders are a fixture of Indian political culture, observed across party lines — a tradition that keeps the memory of public servants woven into civic life.
Point of View
A figure associated with Dalit representation, also carries quiet symbolic resonance in the context of the party's outreach to marginalised communities. No policy or legislative action is expected to follow. The gesture is ceremonial, but the symbolism of remembering India's first Dalit President is never entirely without political texture.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was K.R. Narayanan?
K.R. Narayanan was India's 10th President , serving from 1997 to 2002 . He was the first Dalit to hold the office of President of India and had a distinguished career in diplomacy before entering politics.
When is K.R. Narayanan's birth anniversary?
K.R. Narayanan's birth anniversary falls on 27 October , observed annually across political and official circles in India.
What did Manohar Lal Khattar say about K.R. Narayanan?
Khattar offered his respectful tributes, honouring Narayanan for his 'unparalleled efforts towards national service and the upliftment of society,' posting the message in Hindi on X.
Was K.R. Narayanan the first Dalit President of India?
Yes. K.R. Narayanan was the first person from the Dalit community to serve as President of India, making his tenure from 1997 to 2002 a historic milestone.
What was K.R. Narayanan's career before becoming President?
Before becoming President, K.R. Narayanan served as a diplomat and as Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University , before entering electoral politics and eventually rising to the vice-presidency and then the presidency.
