February 27 brought a collective pause in political circles as leaders across India paid glowing homage to Nanaji Deshmukh, the Bharat Ratna-awarded champion of rural India, on his puunyatithi. Home Minister Amit Shah’s tribute set the tone, evoking Deshmukh’s sacrifices from RSS roots to BJP leadership.
Posting on X, Shah wrote of Deshmukh’s mission to elevate villages as the cornerstone of nationhood, forever guiding through Indian-centric education. The message resonated deeply amid ongoing rural development drives.
Nitin Gadkari hailed him ‘Rashtra Rishi,’ whose humanitarian pursuits and austere lifestyle motivate generations. ‘His life was fully surrendered to public welfare,’ the minister affirmed.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan invoked the mantra ‘Gramodya se Rashtrodya,’ linking current schemes to Deshmukh’s vision. UP CM Yogi Adityanath remembered his Jan Sangh foundations and legacy of service and sacrifice. Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma elaborated on Deshmukh’s blueprint for social harmony and self-sufficient communities.
Beyond mere remembrances, these posts spotlight Deshmukh’s transformative influence on India’s social fabric. His ideals of selfless karma and democratic safeguarding continue to fuel the push for a stronger, village-powered nation.