99th Birth Anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal!

Born today in 1916 he was an amalgamation of Philosophy, economy, sociology, history, politics and journalism. A national devotee who wanted to mould Western Ideologies in Indian roots.He was the member of RSS and then became the member of Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

The intelligence and notions of his impressed Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who afterwards elicited his famous remark: “ If I had two Deen Dayal’s, I could transform the political face of India”.

Upadhyaya stated in the following address before thousands of delegates in Kozhikode :

“We are pledged to the service not of any particular community or section but of the entire nation. Every countryman is the blood of our blood and flesh of our flesh. We shall not rest till we are able to give to every one of them a sense of pride that they are children of Bharatmata. We shall make Mother India sujala, suphala (“overflowing with water and laden with fruits”) in the real sense of these words. As Dashapraharana Dharini Durga with her ten weapons, she would be able to vanquish evil; as Lakshmi, she would be able to disburse prosperity all over and as Saraswati, she would dispel the gloom of ignorance and spread the radiance of knowledge all around her. With faith in ultimate victory, let us dedicate ourselves to this task.”

He was the Editor of Panchjanya and Swadesh a weekly and daily newspaper respectively.He translated a Marathi biography of Hedgewar, the founder of RSS.

His notions may seem prominent in this and future decade itself:

• Private ownership of the means of production but not centralization of ownership.
• NO Five-Year Plans as plans were failing to focus on employment, infrastructure, agricultural production, education and public health
• Usage of Appropriate technology

He always favoured in substantial consumption and drew principles of corporate ethics and social responsibility.

Dr. Mahesh Chandra Sharma in his book “Economic Philosophy of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya” quotes him as saying, “We should finish the unaccomplished task of land reforms and agricultural marketing.”He was the founder of Swadeshi Jagran Manch and he turned down “Padma Bhushan” from the Vajpayee government as he disagreed to the government policies.

Last year, on his 98th anniversary Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu, launched Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, and it  aims to target youth, under the age group of 15–35 years.

In 2014, another scheme was launched and approved 20th Nov.’14 “Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana” with initiatives to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to rural India.

It will enhance and provide the uninterrupted supply of power in rural India and decrease of load in peak hours, scheme will also help in the betterment of billing and access of electricity.

One of earlier schemes of 2004 to provide free healthcare to poor families is Deen Dayal Antyodaya Upchar Yojana by the government of Madhya Pradesh, which was started on his name.

Our current PM has shared his feelings and thoughts on his website:

“Let us follow the path shown by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and work together to fulfil his dream of a developed and just India, where the poorest of the poor is taken care of.”

Many hospitals and research centre are on his name, however, his thoughts and ideologies should be alive.

25 September 2015
P.Rawat