Explore Our Affordable Courses

Click Here
  »   Blog   »   Nanaji Deshmukh: A Visionary of Rural Development

Nanaji Deshmukh: A Visionary of Rural Development and Social Reform in India

Gaurav Soni October 13, 2023 09:45 3990 0

UPSC Blogs Blogs

Context: The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary.

Nanaji Deshmukh: A Visionary of Rural Development and Social Reform in India

Context: The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary.

Nanaji Deshmukh: Early Life and Background  

  • Birth: Born on October 11, 1916, in a modest Maharashtrian family at Kadoli, a small town in Parbhani district.
  • Founder: Nanaji Deshmukh was a Sangh Parivar veteran, founder member of the Janata Party and a member of the Rajya Sabha.
  • A Bharat Ratna Awardee: He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award in 2019 by the Government of India.

Journey into Social Work: Nanaji Deshmukh’s Impact on Indian Social Fabric

  • Education

    • Nanaji Deshmukh established India’s first Saraswati Sishu Mandir there at Gorakhpur in 1950.
    • He  was the founder of Deendayal Research Institute (DRI) situated at Chitrakoot.
    • He was also responsible for starting India’s first rural university, Chitarkoot Gramodya Vishwavidyalaya.

  • Influences and Inspirations:

    • Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Nanaji Deshmukh became inspired by Tilak’s nationalist ideology and his slogan of “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”.
    • Keshav Baliram Hedgewar: Hedgewar was the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
    • Mahatma Gandhi: Nanaji Deshmukh was deeply influenced by Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, truth, and self-reliance. He followed Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj or village self-rule.
    • Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya: He was a mentor and friend of Nanaji Deshmukh and introduced him to the concept of “Integral Humanism”, which advocated for a holistic approach to human development based on Indian values.

Nanaji Deshmukh’s Legacy of Social Change and Self-Reliance

  • Bhoodan Movement: One of his major contributions to the nation was his active participation in the Bhoodan Movement started by Vinoba Bhave.
    • The Bhoodan Movement was a voluntary land reform movement that aimed at redistributing land from the rich landlords to the landless peasants.
    • Nana ji played an important role in carrying out a social restructuring programme in over 500 villages of UP and MP, where he implemented the principles of Bhoodan and Gramdan (village donation).
  •  Reformation of Agriculture and Rural Education: He carried out reformation of agriculture and cottage industry, rural health and rural education.
    • He did social work in Gonda (UP), Balrampur and Beed (Maharashtra). The motto of his project was Har hath ko denge kaam, har khet ko denge paanee.
  • Advocacy for Rural Development:
    • Chitrakoot project: In 1977, he moved to Chitrakoot, a remote village in Madhya Pradesh, to create a prototype of a self-sustaining model of development based on the concept of “Gram Swaraj”.
      • Hundreds of villages that have come under what is now popularly known as the “Chitrakoot project” generate their electricity through Bioenergy and solar energy plants.
    • Conflict-free society. He pioneered a method of sorting conflicts and differences between the villagers called the Litigation Free Model, which was based on the ancient Indian principles of consensus making and alternate conflict resolution.
  • Advocacy for Swadeshi and Self-Reliance
    • Advocacy for Swadeshi Philosophy: Nanaji Deshmukh was a strong advocate for Swadeshi (self-reliance) in India.
    • He believed in reducing dependency on foreign goods and technologies and promoting the use of indigenous resources and traditional knowledge to boost rural development and self-sufficiency.

nanaji Deshmukh

Nanaji Deshmukh’s Enduring Legacy: Empowering People, Fostering Self-Reliance, and Promoting Sustainable Development

  • Emphasis on People’s Power: His approach recognizes the importance of popular power, which is seen as more potent, stable, and long-lasting than political power.
    • Nanaji Deshmukh stressed the value of gaining administration and governance skills by working with and understanding the needs of the oppressed and disadvantaged.
  • Self-Reliance: Nanaji believed that instilling the spirit of self-reliance and excellence in the younger generation was essential for social advancement and prosperity in India.
  • Sustainable Development: Incorporating indigenous and traditional technologies, conducting field studies to create replicable models for self-sufficiency, instilling a scientific mindset, improving health and hygiene, and striving for 100 percent literacy.
  • Conflict Resolution and Cohesion: Deendayal Research Institute (DRI) efforts had led to a cohesive and conflict-free society in the surrounding villages.
    • Villagers had unanimously agreed to avoid litigation and resolve disputes through other means, as they recognized that disputes hindered development.
  • Samaj Shilpi Dampati: It involved a graduate married couple offering counseling and intervention.
    • This concept played a significant role in achieving harmony and conflict resolution.

Conclusion 

  • Nanaji Deshmukh’s life epitomizes a relentless commitment to social transformation and rural empowerment, influenced by the principles of Gandhian philosophy and integral humanism. His profound impact, manifested through initiatives like the Bhoodan Movement, emphasis on self-reliance, and conflict resolution models, continues to inspire sustainable development, community cohesion, and people-centric governance in modern India.
Also Read Other Biography
Lal Bahdur Shastri Shaheed Bhagat Singh
Jayaprakash Narayan Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indira Gandhi
Sam Manekshaw

 

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailDOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended For You

November 21, 2024
UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025, Exam Pattern, GAT and Math Syllabus
November 21, 2024
UPSC Mains Result 2024 Expected Date & Step to Download
November 20, 2024
G20 Summit 2024: Know its Host Country, Theme, Presidency
November 20, 2024
COP 29: The United Nations Climate Change Conference
November 20, 2024
Difference between Procedure Established by Law and Due Proc...
November 19, 2024
UPSC Notification 2025, Exam Date, Download PDF
/*

Latest Comments

*/

Live Blog

Recent posts

November 21, 2024
UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025, Exam Pattern, GAT and...
November 21, 2024
UPSC Mains Result 2024 Expected Date & S...
November 20, 2024
G20 Summit 2024: Know its Host Country, Theme...
November 20, 2024
COP 29: The United Nations Climate Change Con...
November 20, 2024
Difference between Procedure Established by L...

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  

by month

Follow Us

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

# #
      
Subscribe our Newsletter
Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
*Promise! We won't spam you.
Yes! I want to Subscribe.

Contact Details

G-Floor,4-B Pusa Road, New Delhi, 110060

Download Our App

# #
Copyright © 2023 PWOnlyIAS
Privacy Policy Refund And Cancellation Policy FAQ Terms & ConditionSitemap

Download October 2024 Current Affairs.   Srijan 2025 Program (Prelims+Mains) !     Current Affairs Plus By Sumit Sir   UPSC Prelims2025 Test Series.    IDMP – Self Study Program 2025.

 

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

# #
      
Follow Us:
Subscribe our Newsletter
Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
*Promise! We won't spam you.
Yes! I want to Subscribe.

Contact Details

G-Floor,4-B Pusa Road, New Delhi, 110060

Download Our App

# #
Copyright © 2023 PWOnlyIAS
Privacy Policy Refund And Cancellation Policy FAQ Terms & ConditionSitemap

Download October 2024 Current Affairs.   Srijan 2025 Program (Prelims+Mains) !     Current Affairs Plus By Sumit Sir   UPSC Prelims2025 Test Series.    IDMP – Self Study Program 2025.

 
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">







    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.