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Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was born on September 25, 1916, in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. (File photo)
Antyodaya Diwas is celebrated every year on September 25 in India to commemorate the birthday of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. He was one of the most important political figures in India and the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) – the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Upadhyaya was also one of the thinkers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and a renowned philosopher who worked for the poor and needy. The name ‘Antyodaya’ means the last rise and therefore, the day marks his efforts to uplift all members of society.
History of Antyodaya Diwas
Pandit Deendayal was born on September 25, 1916, in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi passed a bill in Parliament in 2014 and declared the day as a national holiday to celebrate Pandit Deendayal’s birthday.
In the same year, the Department of Rural Development relaunched a skill development program under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), known as Aajeevika Skills.
It was later renamed as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM in November 2015. In 2018, the Mughalsarai Junction railway station was renamed as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction in the memory of the political leader. Pandit Deendayal died near Mughalsarai in 1968.
Antyodaya Diwas 2024 Significance
The word ‘Antyodaya’ literally means ‘upliftment of the last person’ and captures the essence of Upadhyaya’s vision of a perfect humanity where citizens should not be denied the necessities of life such as food, shelter and employment opportunities.
This day is aimed at creating awareness about social equality and taking steps to provide upliftment to the downtrodden sections of the society.
On this day, the government organizes events and sets goals to help the poor.
Quotes by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya
- “An important feature of Bhartiya Culture is that it views life as an integrated thing.”
- “Human nature has two tendencies – Anger & Greed on one side and Love & Devotion on the other.”
- “Independence can only be meaningful if it becomes a tool for the expression of our culture.”
- “If we stop and analyze the reasons for the problems that plague the country, we find that the confusion about our purpose and the way we are looking at is what caused this chaos.”
- “Strength does not lie in uncontrolled behavior but in well-controlled action.”
- “Dharma is a very broad concept that affects all aspects of a life-sustaining society.”
- “Morality is not designed by anyone, it is learned.”
- “Human Knowledge is common.”
- “There is diversity and abundance in life, but we have been trying to find the unity that exists.”
- “When nature is guided by the principles of dharma, we have culture and civilization.”
