A Village, A Helicopter And One Last Farewell: The Story Of JP’s Final Visit

Today marks the death anniversary of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the leader of the Total Revolution. His resolve had shaken the Central Government in 1974.

While no major programme is organised in Sitab Diara on his death anniversary, the villagers continue to pay tribute to him in their own way.

Jayaprakash Narayan was born on October 11, 1902, in Lala Tola of Sitab Diara, in the jurisdiction of Revelganj block and police station in Saran district.

When news of his death reached his village on October 8, 1979, grief swept through every corner of Sitab Diara. People rushed towards JP’s residence, while many left for Patna immediately to attend his funeral.

Village elders Jainendra Kumar Singh and Shriram Yadav recall that when JP last visited his home in Jayaprakash Nagar, Sitab Diara, on September 7, 1978, he stayed there for three days.

The memory of that visit remains fresh in the mind of elderly Daljit Tola resident Anand Bihari Singh. He recalls that after dusk, when JP was sitting in the courtyard, several women from the village came through the back door to see him.

Feeling hesitant, JP said in Bhojpuri, “You should not touch my feet.” An elderly woman responded naturally, “You are like our granddaughter’s father-in-law.” JP smiled and replied, “Alright, fine.” The women continued seeking his blessings for a long time. During that visit, Chandra Shekhar remained with him throughout.

On the third day, when it was time to leave, JP said, “Chandra Shekhar, show me my village.” He then took Chandra Shekhar with him in his helicopter and flew two rounds over Sitab Diara. The crowd below raised slogans of “Lok Nayak Zindabad”.

After the helicopter landed, JP stood for a few moments and looked at his home. The crowd was emotional, and the farewell was difficult for JP as well. The helicopter then took off and disappeared from sight after some time. JP never returned.

Ashok Singh, manager of the JP Narayan Memorial Foundation, said schoolchildren and villagers will offer flowers at his statue. They will pay tribute to him on his death anniversary.

Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan was born on October 11, 1902, in Lala Tola of Sitab Diara, in the Diyar area south of the Revelganj block headquarters in Saran district.

After a plague-like disease spread in his village during his childhood, his family moved to the Uttar Pradesh side of the border in Ballia district. The move followed erosion along the Sarayu River that affected the area, which is now known as Jayaprakash Nagar.

Jayaprakash Narayan died in Patna on October 8, 1979. His political ideas continue to inspire people across India.

While many continue to invoke his name in politics, his native village has still not developed to the extent it should have.

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