Tarun Chugh
Many great men have born on the holy land of mother India, who spent whole of their lives not for themselves, but for the nation and society. Life of such a great human being is a role model for the generations to come. Their thoughts are the path to be followed by the countrymen as they gave new directions to the people. One such great man was Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay. After attaining independence, the country needed such an integral humanism ideology and a contemplation to make it prosperous, in which country’s pride is protected and politics can be made a means of service while caring for each and every person of the country.
Our motherland gave birth and raised a great son like Pandit Upadhyay, who showed a new direction to the country. Pandit Upadhyay, one of the founders of Jana Sangh, made a remarkable place in hearts and minds of the people due to his ideas for welfare of the society besides giving an ideology of integral humanism. He will always be remembered for initiating several pioneer ideas in Indian politics as he was a great thinker, successful editor, a successful writer and a true son of Mother India. Born in a middle class family in Chandrabhan of Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh on September 25, 1916, Pandit Upadhyay spent his childhood in troubles. Struggle remained a companion while courage was a force for him. He lost his father at an age of two and a half years while his mother passed away when he was just eight years old. After this, he was brought up by his maternal grandfather, but unfortunately his maternal grandfather also died when he was of 10 years. Responsibility of taking care of younger brother also came on his shoulders at such a tender age. If a common man had to face all this, he would have given up in front of these calamities, but Pandit Upadhyay did not give up and kept on moving forward. His intellect was unparalleled. He was the topper in secondary examination, topper in inter graduation and graduation. He passed MA (English) first year examination of Literature in first class, but had to leave studies incomplete. While doing social service with Mahashabde and Sunder Singh Bhandari, while pursuing BA at Kanpur. After coming in contact with founders of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dr Hedgewar and Bhaurav Devras, he joined RSS after getting influenced by the ideology of RSS.
Without worrying about any source to earn livelihood, he being unmarried, dedicated his life in the service of country and society. He articulated the nationalist voice being a successful editor of Rashtra Dharma, Panchjanya and Swadesh. Pt Deendayal Upadhyay was also a successful litterateur. As a successful writer, his works inspired many youth and countrymen. His every thought contributed in uniting voice of the country. His foresightedness and efficiency ended directionless politics of the country and gave an ideological alternative post-independence.
He became the first General Secretary in Bharatiya Jana Sangh founded by Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951, President of Jana Sangh in 1967, but could work only for 44 days, which was a great tragedy for the country. Seeing his talent, organizational strength and efficiency, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had said, “If I get two such Deen Dayals, I will change the political map of the country”. Due to his engrossment in nation building and public service, he had no personal life. Whatever he had, it was for the society and the nation. His thoughts and spirit of sacrifice made him different from other people. Deendayal Upadhyay is considered as the architect of Jana Sangh’s national philosophy. His aim was to provide a purely Indian philosophy.
Presenting Sanatan ideology of India in an epoch-making form, he gave the ideology of Integral Humanism. He was of the view that the main objective of economic development should be happiness of common man. He said, “Human groups living in India, having a feeling of affection for each other and their motherland and must be united. Their way of living of life, art, literature, philosophy are should be immersed in Indian culture. This culture is basis of Indian nationalism. If there will be loyalty in this culture, then only India will remain united. For qualitative upliftment of any individual or society, not only the economic and social aspect, its overall development is essential.” Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay was of the opinion that overall progress is not possible without removing the poverty and illiteracy of the nation. The philosophy of Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay, the ideological leader of Antyodaya, was not limited to writing and thinking only, rather whenever he travelled due to work of organization, he preferred to stay with people standing on the last rung in society i.e., the weaker sections of society, on basis of preference. Such an example is rarely found in Indian politics.
At present, the central government running under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing the humanism, is working for upliftment of the weak and poor section of the society with an aim of upliftment and development of the poorest of the poor. For the last eight years, the government running under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the dream of Pandit Upadhyaya come true by following his philosophy of Integral Humanism and Antyodaya’s ideology with a goal of welfare of poor.
The central government is working continuously for ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’. The direct effects of Narendra Modi led government is that poor, deprived, exploited and victims of the country are getting the maximum benefit of Antyodaya schemes. Not only the country, but today the whole world is looking towards India with hope. Behind this, is definitely policies based on Integral Humanism of Modi government based on the true ideology of Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay. Pandit Upadhyay showed the country a path of providing quality to individual and community life. In present time, society and nation will be benefited only by imbibing values derived from Integral Humanism in life. Every aspect of the life of Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay is exemplary for all of us, because he has given place for cooperation, coordination and co-existence in every field. The father of Antyodaya, Pt Upadhyay also provided right vision to give priority to common social responsibilities for promotion of interests of deprived sections. Hundreds of salutes to such a great man on his birth anniversary.
(The author is National General Secretary of BJP).