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

Gaurav Soni October 13, 2023 09:45 2228 0

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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.

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.

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’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.

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