Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh(UP)Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday paid tributes to former prime minister Charan Singh on his birth anniversary.
Dhankhar recalled Charan Singh’s contribution to the agri sector. Talking to reporters at Kisan Ghat here after paying tributes to Singh on his 122nd birth anniversary, Dhankhar said it is an occasion for everyone to take a resolve that agriculture is necessary for India's rise.
Agro sector and farmer welfare are fundamentals for a passage to a developed nation at 2047," he said. Dhankhar said as Singh was committed towards holistic development of farmers, it was time for all of us to "converge our energies and get into the job that these celebrations are festive occasions for the farmer and would be game changer for the country's economy."
In his tributes, Prime Minister Modi described Charan Singh as a true well-wisher of the poor and farmers. In a social media post, Modi said Singh's dedication and spirit of service to the country will continue to inspire everyone.
Born in 1902 to a Jat family in western Uttar Pradesh, Singh went on to become a prominent leader, especially in north India, and an axis of anti-Congress politics after he quit the Congress. He also served as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The Modi government bestowed the Bharat Ratna on him this year, acknowledging his contribution to public life. His grandson Jayant Singh is a minister in the BJP-led NDA government.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in a social media post "Humble tributes to former prime minister 'Bharat Ratna' Chaudhary Charan Singh ji on his birth anniversary. He dedicated his life to the upliftment of villages, poor and deprived and farmer welfare! Heartiest greetings of 'Farmers' Day' to the people of the state and the farmers who provide food!"
The chief minister also attended a programme marking the 122nd birth anniversary of the former prime minister. He said, "Chaudhary Charan Singh's birth anniversary has been observed as 'Kisan Samman Diwas' in Uttar Pradesh since 2002."
He recalled Singh's belief that India cannot prosper if its farmers remain poor, emphasising that the prosperity of the nation is integral to the well-being of its 'Annadata' farmers.
"The initiatives launched in 2014 are now recognised globally as a model for agricultural development", he stated.
Reflecting this vision, the double-engine government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been relentlessly working to uplift farmers, he added.
Adityanath paid floral tributes to Singh's statue at the Vidhan Sabha and distributed new tractors to 11 farmers under the Chief Minister Krishak Uphaar Yojana.
