New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled a 72-feet brass statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya near BJP's headquarters in the national capital on his birth anniversary. A statue of Upadhyaya, who was the co-founder of BJP’s predecessor Bharatiya Jana Sangh was erected in a park which is located opposite BJP headquarters. Earlier today, he paid tributes to Deendayal Upadhyaya.
PM Modi while addressing his party workers in Delhi said, "When efforts are made for big targets and we go ahead with everyone, the scale of our success also goes up. Public success always makes you feel more proud than individual success. Today, when India has changed its image with its capability, even a common Indian is seen respectfully abroad. After Chandrayaan-3's success, people in foreign countries are congratulating the common Indians. After G20 too, the manner in which India was appreciated has increased the respect that every Indian gets."
The Prime Minister said that without appropriate participation of women in politics, one cannot talk about inclusive society and democratic integration. PM Modi said the passage of the women's reservation bill in Parliament is not only a win for democracy but also of the party's ideology.
He said his government in its nine years has worked on Upadhyaya's philosophy of "integral humanism" and "antyodaya" (uplift of the most downtrodden) by working to ensure that its welfare schemes reach every needy without any discrimination, ruling out any appeasement and selfish interest. Our "seva abhiyaan" (service campaign) is a big means of social justice and this is what is true secularism, he said.
For long, public resources were used for personal interests, he said in a jibe at political rivals, stressing that personal resources should be used to open the door of the country's development. He emphasised on promoting indigenous products to make his point.
Upadhyaya, who is a principal ideological inspiration for the ruling BJP, will be seen in his quintessential attire which includes a kurta, dhoti and a sleeveless jacket.
Modi offered floral tributes to Deendayal Upadhyaya
According to reports, the Prime Minister will unveil the statue at 7 pm today. Modi also offered floral tributes to Deendayal Upadhyaya at Dhankya village in Jaipur district where the RSS ideologue spent his childhood days. After this programme, Modi was scheduled to address a public rally at Dadiya village in Vatika on the outskirts of Jaipur.
While paying tributes, Modi in a post on X said Upadhyaya was dedicated to serving the country for all his life, and his personality and work will always inspire people.
Upadhyaya was a co-founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh
Born in Mathura in 1916, Upadhyaya joined the RSS and was a co-founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the BJP's progenitor.
His philosophy of integral humanism and, especially, antyodaya (uplift of the most downtrodden) have often been cited by Modi as a major influence on his politics and policies. All key BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda, paid tributes to him on X.
(with inputs from PTI)
