My govt has walked on path shown by former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur who has been named for the countrys highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on his birth centenary on Wednesday and said he left an unforgettable imprint on Indian society and politics reported news agency PTIPM Modi said former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakurs relentless pursuit of social justice created a positive impact in peoples livesSharing his writeup on the pioneering backward caste leader PM Modi posted on X I bow to Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji on his birth centenary On this special occasion our Government has had the honour of conferring the Bharat Ratna on him Ive penned a few thoughts on his unparalleled impact on our society and polityOvercoming numerous obstacles Thakur achieved a lot and worked for societal betterment the prime minister saidFormer Bihar CM Karpoori Thakurs most significant contributions to India was perhaps his role in strengthening the affirmative action apparatus for the backward classes with the hope that they were given the representation and opportunities they deserved he said reported PTIHis decision was met with heavy opposition but he did not bow to any pressure and his policies laid the groundwork for a more inclusive society where ones birth did not determine ones fate the prime minister wrote in an article which appeared in many newspapers on WednesdayPM Modi said his government over the last 10 years has walked on Thakurs path bringing in schemes and policies that have brought transformative empowerment reported PTIThe prime minister said He belonged to the most backward strata of society but he worked for all the people He had no trace of bitterness in him which is what makes him truly greatHe said the life of Jan Nayak as Thakur came to be known as revolved around the twin pillars of simplicity and social justice and his simple lifestyle and humble nature resonated deeply with the common people till his last breath reported PTIThose who worked with him recall how he preferred to spend his own money for any personal matter including his daughters wedding During his tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar a decision was taken to build a colony for political leaders but he himself did not take any land or money for the same he said reported PTIWhen Thakur passed away in 1988 several leaders went to his village to pay tributes and were moved to tears seeing the condition of his house he notedLooking at his torn kurta at an event to mark the birthday of socialist icon Jayaprakash Narayan in 1977 Chandrashekhar another political stalwart asked people to donate some money so that Thakur could buy a new kurta but the then Bihar chief minister donated the amount to the CM Relief Fund he recalled reported PTIPM Modi said social justice was most dear to Thakur and his political journey was marked by monumental efforts to create a society where resources were distributed fairly and everyone regardless of their social standing had access to opportunitiesHe took a distinctly antiCongress line because he was convinced very early on that the Congress had deviated from its founding principles PM Modi said reported PTIEducation was a subject very close to his heart and he worked throughout to improve education facilities for the poor the prime minister said reported PTIOne of the biggest tragedies of our polity has been that barring a few leaders like Thakur the call for social justice was restricted to being a political slogan he saidPM Modi added Inspired by Karpoori Jis vision we implemented it as an effective governance model I can say with confidence and pride that Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji would have been very proud of Indias feat of freeing 25 crore people from the clutches of poverty in the last few yearsToday when people from OBC SC and ST Communities are becoming entrepreneurs due to MUDRA Loans it fulfills Thakurs vision of economic independence he said reported PTILikewise it was our government which had the privilege of extending SC ST and OBC reservation We also had the honour of setting up the OBC Commission which was opposed by Congress sadly which is working on the path shown by Karpoori Ji he added reported PTIAs a person belonging to the backward classes himself Modi said he has much to thank Thakur forHe said Unfortunately we lost Karpoori Ji at a relatively young age of 64 We lost him when we needed him the most Yet he lives on in the heart and minds of crores of people due to his work He was a true Jan NayakWith inputs from PTI