Why in the News?
September 25 marks the 108th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, one of the most influential thinkers of India’s right-wing movement.
About Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916-1968)
| Details | |
| Born | • September 25, 1916 in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
• Antyodaya Diwas is observed on this day since 2014. |
| Affiliations | Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) |
| Political Role | • One of the key leaders of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) • Served as President of BJS |
| Key Contributions | • Founder of the Integral Humanism philosophy • Introduced the concept of Antyodaya for the upliftment of the poorest • Promoted self-reliance (Swadeshi) and decentralization of power |
| Doctrine of ‘Antyodaya’ | • Antyodaya means “upliftment of the last person in society.” • It focuses on improving the living conditions of the poorest and most marginalized sections of society. • Upadhyaya believed that true development can only be measured by the welfare of the weakest sections, promoting policies aimed at economic, social, and educational inclusion of these groups. |
| Legacy | • Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana inspired by his ideas
• In 2015, NRLM was renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM. |
| Death | February 11, 1968, under mysterious circumstances in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh |
