Birth Anniversary of Nanaji Deshmukh | 16 Oct 2024

Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary.

About:
- Nanaji Deshmukh was born on 11th October 1916 in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district.
- He was a social reformer and politician who focused on education, healthcare, and promoting rural self-reliance.
Ideology:
- He was inspired by Lokamanya Tilak's nationalist ideology and Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founding head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Key Works:
- Actively involved in social reform with a focus on health, education, and rural self-reliance.
- Established Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya, India's first rural university, and served as its Chancellor.
- Made significant contributions to anti-poverty initiatives and minimum needs programs.
- He was instrumental in shaping the Janata Party.
- Elected as a Member of Parliament in the 1977 Lok Sabha election from Balrampur (UP).
- Nominated to Rajya Sabha in 1999 in recognition of his national service.
Death and Awards:
- He died on 27^th February 2010. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019.