Today, when the country is celebrating the 109th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, it is not just an opportunity for a formal tribute, but also to follow his thoughts and philosophy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while bowing to him, has said that his ideas of nationalism and welfare of the poor are still giving direction to the development path of India. This is not a superficial praise, but a truth that has been repeatedly experienced in Indian politics and society.
If seen, the biggest contribution of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay was to give Indian thought to give a guide to Indian thinking like ‘Integral Humanism’. He suggested the third way to the soul of Indian society amidst capitalism and communism imported from the West. He believed that humans are not only an economic creature nor social or spiritual power; Rather, they all together create its perfection. Born by this thinking, his principle of ‘Antyodaya’ i.e. the upliftment of the person standing on the last position is real development.
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Today, when Prime Minister Modi also talks about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Everyone’s faith and everyone’s effort’, then there is a glimpse of Deendayal ji’s Antyodaya. Modi emphasized from the platform of Uttar Pradesh International Trade Exhibition-2025 that Antyodaya is the real key to social justice. Indeed, this philosophy makes India’s development model different and unique from Western concepts.
Let us also tell you that on the occasion of Deendayal Upadhyay’s birth anniversary, the Bharatiya Janata Party organized various programs across the country. Party President J.P. at BJP headquarters in Delhi Several senior leaders including Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to him. The nature of these events was based on service and public relations, not only formal. The party is celebrating ‘Seva Pakhwada’ these days, under which programs like promoting indigenous products, helping the poor and running cleanliness campaign are being organized. The BJP president himself underlined the relevance of this campaign by participating in the cleanliness drive in the capital.
Especially the relationship of cleanliness campaign can also be linked to Deendayal ji’s ideology. He had said that the upliftment of society is possible not only by policy announcements, but with active participation of every citizen. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has won this sentiment – where citizens themselves serve the society and the nation.
If seen, in today’s politics, Deendayal Upadhyay’s relevance increases further because he was in favor of thought and value-based politics rather than gaining power. He believed that the politics of India should be respected on the axis of cultural nationalism, self -reliance and social justice, rather than being limited to electoral mathematics. This approach is equally necessary today when the world is changing rapidly and India is moving towards global leadership with its independent identity.
The simplicity of his life, dedication to the organization and renunciation for the nation is also an inspiration for the new generation. He believed that true nationalism is not in any narrowness, but to connect everyone and take everyone along. This is the idea that can strengthen the spirit of harmony and unity in the society along with giving direction to today’s politics. Therefore, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay is not only a day of remembrance, but also an opportunity to introspect. Are we able to really bring his Antyodaya idea into life? Is the lowest rung person really benefiting in the race for development? These questions are as relevant today as they were in their lifetime.
However, the philosophy of Integral Humanism reminds us that development should be measured with the real prosperity in the life of every section of society, but not only the glow of economic indices. This was the message of Deendayal Upadhyay and this should also be permanent guidance of India’s development journey.
-Niraj Kumar Dubey
(The author has his own views in this article.)