Intro: To commemorate 98th birth anniversary of Nanaji Deshmukh, six volumes of Virat Purush Nanaji were released by PM Narendra Modi on October 11, 2014 .
“Nanaji’s thinking was out of box, he always tried to do something extra, beyond his given responsibility. Whatever he did he did with some value addition. He always insisted on ‘self-sufficiency’ approach. Optimum utilisation of local resources was the basis of his vision. He perfectly blended universal science with local technologies,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while releasing a book on Nanaji Deshmukh in New Delhi on October 11, the 98th birth anniversary of Nanaji.
RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale, veteran Sangh Pracharak Shri Madan Das, DRI president Shri Virendrajeet Singh and general secretary of DRI Shri Bharat Pathak also shared the dais. Apart from it scores of distinguished personalities of Delhi including RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, former deputy Prime Minister of India Shri LK Advani, Governor of Guajrat Prof. Omprakash Kohli, etc were present at the jam-packed Vigyan Bhavan. The volumes have been published by Prabhat Prakashan, New Delhi.
Shri Modi started his speech saying “you can understand my strange feeling that I have been invited as a guest among my very own people”. “Nanaji was an inspiration for many workers like me. I am fortunate that I got a chance to work with him. His organisational skills will be inspiration for generations to come through these volumes,” Shri Modi added.
He applauded Nanaji for extraordinary energy, drive and commitment towards social welfare and nation-building. He said it was through his efforts that “Shishu Mandir”, initiated in Gorakhpur, has become a well-known educational institution across India. He also praised Nanaji`s ability to forge political consensus. He referred to Nanaji’s decision to leave politics at the age of sixty, and devote himself entirely to the cause of rural development. He also recalled that it was through Shri Deshmukh`s inspiration that many young couples devoted themselves to the cause of social upliftment. He said Nanaji even motivated several famous industrialists to work towards social causes. The Prime Minister said the book Virat Purush Nanaji will motivate future generations of India towards nation-building.
Speaking on the occasion RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale said, Nanaji brought ‘Integral Humanism’ propounded by Deendayalji in action. “When people are looking for models of development on Indian values the one created by Nanaji are the living examples. Creating such models with participation of common masses in most undeveloped areas like Gonda or Beed, that also when he was at peak of his political career as a Jan Sangh leader is the most incredible thing. I always thought Nanaji believed more in doing than writing but collection of these works show and reflect how his action plans evolved,” Dattaji said
Shri Virendrajeet Singh, chairman of Deendayal Research Institute (DRI) said the birth day of Nanaji and Jaiprakash fall on the same day and both worked during the 1974 movement together. Shri Atul Jain said Nanaji was a living example of the Virat Purush defined in our scriptures. His thinking, life and work make him a true Virat Purush. He said, former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam also called him a rashtra rishi. —Bureau Report
