Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, paid rich tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, one of India’s foremost political thinkers, on his birth anniversary. The Prime Minister highlighted the lasting importance of Antyodaya the upliftment of the last person in society and Integral Humanism in guiding India toward a Viksit Bharat in the ongoing Amritkaal of Independence.
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “On the occasion of his birth anniversary, millions of salutations to the great son of Mother India and the pioneer of Integral Humanism, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya ji. His nationalist ideas that showed the path to prosperity for the nation and the principle of Antyodaya will be of great use in building a Viksit Bharat.”
भारत माता के महान सपूत और एकात्म मानववाद के प्रणेता पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जी को उनकी जयंती पर कोटिश: नमन। देश को समृद्धि की राह दिखाने वाले उनके राष्ट्रवादी विचार और अंत्योदय के सिद्धांत विकसित भारत के निर्माण में बहुत काम आने वाले हैं। pic.twitter.com/Lrj39Nn7wP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 25, 2025
In a video message, the Prime Minister elaborated on Upadhyaya’s continuing relevance, “Several people today consider Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya a source of inspiration and follow his path. When one reflects on his thoughts, there is a sense of freshness and a new perspective. His teachings, particularly the principle that the measure of a country’s progress is the person standing last in the line, are more relevant today than ever. In this Amritkaal of Independence, we must keep learning from his ideas and implementing them to move India forward.”
The birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya is observed annually as Antyodaya Diwas, reflecting his philosophy of serving the marginalized and ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person in society. The word Antyodaya literally means “the rise of the last,” highlighting the need to prioritize the welfare of the weakest sections of society.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya envisioned Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan) as a philosophy that balanced material, moral, cultural, and social development. Unlike Western models of development that focus primarily on economic growth, Upadhyaya advocated for a holistic approach that integrated the individual, society, and nature. His philosophy emphasised that true national prosperity cannot be achieved without ensuring the upliftment of those at the bottom of the social ladder.
By placing the welfare of the underprivileged at the center of governance, Antyodaya remains a guiding principle in India’s development agenda, emphasizing inclusive growth, social justice, and human dignity.
Several top leaders across the country also paid tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described him as the “proponent of Integral Humanism” and highlighted his emphasis on economic, cultural, and moral progress. He noted that Upadhyaya provided a political alternative through the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, advocating policies that prioritized national interests.
दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जी ने अन्त्योदय और सांस्कृतिक राष्ट्रवाद का विचार देकर जिस मजबूत और आत्मगौरव से भरे राष्ट्र की संकल्पना की थी, वह आज साकार हो रहा है। दीनदयाल जी की जयंती पर भाजपा मुख्यालय में उनकी प्रतिमा पर माल्यार्पण कर राष्ट्रनिर्माण में उनके योगदान को नमन किया। pic.twitter.com/Vp0KlJYq81
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 25, 2025
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “His philosophy of Integral Humanism and his ideas on Antyodaya inspire us to make India self-reliant, inclusive, and strong. His life of service, dedication, and patriotism continues to guide us even today.”
महान विचारक और एकात्म मानववाद के प्रणेता पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जी को उनकी जयंती पर कोटि-कोटि नमन। एकात्म मानव का उनका दर्शन और अंत्योदय के उनके विचार हमारे देश को आत्मनिर्भर, समावेशी और सशक्त बनाने की प्रेरणा हैं। उनका सारा जीवन सेवा, समर्पण और राष्ट्रभक्ति का अनुपम उदाहरण है,…
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 25, 2025
Union Health Minister JP Nadda praised Pandit Ji’s integrity and personal commitment to public service, highlighting the continuing relevance of Antyodaya in governance. Nadda also participated in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2025’ cleanliness drive to mark the occasion.
माँ भारती के वरद पुत्र, महान राष्ट्रवादी विचारक एवं भारतीय जनता पार्टी के पितृ पुरुष पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जी को उनकी जन्म जयंती पर कोटिश: नमन करता हूँ।
सार्वजनिक जीवन में व्यक्तिगत शुचिता एवं गरिमा के उच्चतम आदर्श रहे श्रद्धेय दीनदयाल जी ने भारतीय संस्कृति की नींव पर सशक्त,…
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) September 25, 2025
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was born in Nagla Chandraban, Uttar Pradesh, on September 25, 1916. From a young age, he displayed exceptional academic prowess and a strong connection to Indian culture and values. His humility earned him the affectionate title “Pandit Ji”, and he became one of the early adherents of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Upadhyaya rose to prominence as a Pracharak and later as a leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, where he championed a development model rooted in India’s cultural ethos. He was a strong advocate of local economic systems, self-reliance, and social harmony, constantly emphasising that development should benefit all, especially the marginalized.
His untimely and mysterious death in 1968 cut short a life dedicated to public service, yet his ideas continue to influence policymakers, leaders, and citizens across India. Integral Humanism, his guiding philosophy, remains a beacon for inclusive and sustainable development.
Antyodaya Diwas, observed every year on September 25, commemorates Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s vision of serving the least privileged and ensuring that development reaches every citizen. The day is a reminder that national progress is not measured by wealth alone, but by the well-being of the most disadvantaged sections of society
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