Opinion | “Centenary Celebrations: PM Modi Honoring Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur, Trailblazing Political Luminary and Former Bihar CM, on His one hundredth Birthday!”

Right this moment is the beginning centenary of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji, whose relentless pursuit of social justice created a optimistic affect within the lives of crores of individuals. I by no means had the chance to satisfy Karpoori Ji however, I heard loads about him from Kailashpati Mishra Ji, who labored carefully with him. He belonged to one of the vital backward sections of society, the Nai Samaj. Overcoming quite a few obstacles, he achieved loads and labored for societal betterment.

Jan Nayak Kapoor Thakur Ji’s life revolved across the twin pillars of simplicity and social justice. Until his final breath, his easy way of life and humble nature resonated deeply with the widespread individuals. There are quite a few anecdotes that spotlight his simplicity. Those that labored with him recall how he most well-liked to spend his personal cash for any private matter together with his daughter’s wedding ceremony. Throughout his tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar, a call was taken to construct a colony for political leaders however he himself didn’t take any land or cash for a similar. When he handed away in 1988, a number of leaders went to his village to pay tributes. Once they noticed the situation of his home, they have been moved to tears- how can somebody so towering have a home so easy!
One other anecdote of his simplicity dates again to 1977 when he simply took over as CM of Bihar. The Janata Authorities was in energy in Delhi and Patna. That point, Janata leaders had gathered in Patna to mark Loknayak JP’s birthday. Among the many galaxy of high leaders walked in Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur Ji, with a torn Kurta. In his personal model, Chandrashekhar Ji requested individuals to donate some cash in order that Karpoori Ji may buy a brand new Kurta. However, Karpoori Ji was Karpoori Ji- he accepted the cash however donated it to the CM Aid Fund.
Social justice was most expensive to Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji. His political journey was marked by monumental efforts to create a society the place sources have been distributed pretty, and everybody, no matter their social standing, had entry to alternatives. He needed to handle the systemic inequalities that plagued Indian society.
Such was his dedication to his beliefs that regardless of residing in an period the place the Congress Get together was omnipresent, he took a distinctly anti-Congress line as a result of he was satisfied very early on that the Congress had deviated from its founding ideas.
His electoral profession started within the early Nineteen Fifties and since then, he turned a power to reckon with within the legislative chambers, powerfully voicing the struggles of the working class, labourers, small farmers and children. Training was a topic very near his coronary heart. All through his political profession he labored to enhance training services for the poor. He was a proponent of training in native languages so that folks from small cities and villages can climb the ladder and attain success. As CM, he took many measures for the welfare of senior residents as effectively.
Democracy, debate and dialogue have been integral to Karpoori Ji’s character. This spirit was seen when he immersed himself within the Give up India motion as a teenager and it was once more seen when he resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His distinctive views have been nice admired by the likes of JP, Dr. Lohia and Charan Singh Ji.
Maybe certainly one of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji’s most vital contributions to India was his function in strengthening the affirmative motion equipment for the backward courses, with the hope that they got the illustration and alternatives they deserved. His resolution was met with heavy opposition however he didn’t bow to any strain. Beneath his management, insurance policies have been applied that laid the groundwork for a extra inclusive society, the place one’s beginning didn’t decide one’s destiny. He belonged to probably the most backward strata of society however he labored for all of the individuals. He had no hint of bitterness in him, which is what makes him actually nice.
During the last ten years, our Authorities has walked on the trail of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji, reflecting in our schemes and insurance policies which have introduced transformative empowerment. One of many greatest tragedies of our polity has been that barring a number of leaders like Karpoori Ji, the decision for social justice was restricted to being a political slogan. Impressed by Karpoori Ji’s imaginative and prescient we applied it as an efficient governance mannequin. I can say with confidence and pleasure that Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji would have been very pleased with India’s feat of liberating 25 crore individuals from the clutches of poverty in the previous few years. These are individuals from probably the most backward sections of society, who have been denied primary services practically seven many years after freedom from colonial rule. On the similar time, our efforts in direction of saturation- of making certain each scheme reaches 100% protection echoes his dedication to social welfare. Right this moment, when individuals from OBC, SC and ST Communities have gotten entrepreneurs as a consequence of MUDRA Loans, it fulfills Karpoori Thakur Ji’s imaginative and prescient of financial independence. Likewise, it was our authorities which had the privilege of extending SC, ST and OBC reservation. We additionally had the honour of establishing the OBC Fee (which was opposed by Congress, sadly), which is engaged on the trail proven by Karpoori Ji. Our PM-Vishwakarma Scheme may also carry new avenues of prosperity for crores of individuals belonging to OBC communities throughout India.
As an individual belonging to the backward courses myself, I’ve a lot to thank Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji for. Sadly, we misplaced Karpoori Ji at a comparatively younger age of 64. We misplaced him after we wanted him probably the most. But, he lives on within the coronary heart and minds of crores of individuals as a consequence of his work. He was a real Jan Nayak!

The views expressed within the piece are the author’s private opinions. World Kashmir Information doesn’t endorse any particular person’s private viewpoint.