Prime Minister Narendra Modi made floral offerings to the departed prime minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, on his birthday and Kisan Diwas, Monday, December 23, 2024. In a heartfelt emotion, on X, Mr. Modi described Charan Singh as a “fine fac to take ka poora, kisanon ki achhhi” whose efforts and benefit on the country still reverberate today.
Remembering Chaudhary Charan Singh: Champion of Farmers
Born in 1902 in a Jat family in western Uttar Pradesh, C.C. Singh garnered acclaim as a pioneer leader and a fiery champion of the farmers. He served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh before becoming India’s fifth Prime Minister from 1979 to 1980. His policies focused on empowering farmers and promoting agricultural self-reliance, earning him the title “Champion of Farmers. “.
Charan Singh’s transformative measures such as the debt redemption bill of 1939, free farmers from the clutches of moneylenders’ exploitation. His successes in land reform in Uttar Pradesh transformed the agriculturalscape by bringing small and marginal farmers to the cusp of achieving access rights to the land and their land resources.
As a testament to his legacy, his memorial in New Delhi has been appropriately designated as Kisan Ghat. This year, the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, was posthumously conferred on Chaudhary Charan Singh by the Modi government.
Kisan Diwas: Celebrating Farmers’ Contributions
Kisan Diwas National Farmers Day is observed on December 23rd every year on the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh. It also marks the contribution of the farmers to the Indian economy. Introduced in 2001 the day has importance dedicated to the need for sustainable farming and farmer wellbeing.
This year’s theme, “Empowering ‘Annadatas’ for a Prosperous Nation” emphasizes the need to equip farmers with modern inputs, fair prices, and farmers’ access to modern agricultural technologies so that farmers can contribute to economic development.
Significance of Kisan Diwas
Kisan Diwas is also observed as a day to talk about current agricultural issues, like climate change, fair price policies, and sustainable farming. It highlights government actions toward improving farmers’ livelihoods. Also, it highlights the invaluable role of farmers in the fabric of a prosperous nation.