Rajya Sabha MP and former Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Dr Dinesh Sharma said on Thursday that the philosophy of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya deeply inspires the Modi government’s functioning.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at a programme organised by the Deendayal Kshetra Seva Pratishthan on the occasion of Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birth anniversary, he emphasised that the government is fulfilling the basic needs of ordinary citizens while working in line with the spirit of nationalism.
Dr Sharma said the day held special significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide campaign from September 25 to December 25 dedicated to Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
He underlined that Upadhyaya’s principle of social equality is reflected in the Modi government’s welfare schemes like housing, free rations, gas cylinders, toilets, irrigation facilities, and the Ayushman health card.
“Today, 260 million people have risen above the poverty line due to the government’s welfare initiatives. This achievement strengthens the vision of a strong nation,” Sharma said.
Swadeshi and Self-Reliance Linked to Upadhyaya’s Vision
Dr Sharma stressed that Atmanirbhar Bharat draws inspiration from Upadhyaya’s doctrine of Integral Humanism and Swadeshi. He noted that the journey of the Swadeshi thought, which began with Deendayal Upadhyaya and continued under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has now found strong implementation under Prime Minister Modi.
Dinesh Sharma also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that India needs not more production, but more people engaged in production. He said schemes like Startup India and Mudra Yojana are enabling youth to become self-reliant.
Highlighting Modi’s resilience, Sharma said, “When the US imposed tariffs on India, the Prime Minister turned the challenge into an opportunity, setting a goal of self-reliance for the country. Similarly, during COVID-19, India produced its own vaccines for the first time.”
He contrasted the past with the present, saying, “There was a time when rotten wheat from the US was distributed among India’s poor, but today the Modi government, inspired by Deendayal’s vision, is providing 10 kg of free ration to the needy.”
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, former Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra said nation-building and creativity lay at the heart of Deendayal Upadhyaya’s life. “For him, the nation came first. He even lost an election because he remained steadfast to this principle,” Mishra said.
He recalled Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s remark: “If I had one more Deendayal, I could change the destiny of the country.” Mishra said Deendayal paid special attention to workers and always prioritised grassroots involvement.
Mishra underlined that Deendayal’s economic philosophy focused on reducing inequality. He said Modi’s new GST rates lower taxes on essentials and raise them on luxury items. “Now, essential items for the poor and middle class have become cheaper, in line with Deendayal’s vision,” he said.
Also Read: Self-Reliance Is Key To Achieving Developed India: Dr Dinesh Sharma
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