Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay: An ideal symbol of integral humanism, antyodaya, and swadeshi ideas

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's name is engraved in golden letters among the great figures in India's political and ideological history who gave a new direction to society through their lives, thoughts, and actions. He was an eternal guide to Indian politics and thought. He was born on September 25, 1916, in a small village called Nagla Chandrabhan (now Pandit Deendayal Dham) in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's father, Bhagwati Prasad Upadhyay, was a railway station master, and his mother, Rampyari, was a religious-minded homemaker. After his parents' death, he was raised by his grandparents and later by his uncle and aunt. Despite difficult circumstances, he continued his studies. He received his early education at the village school, then at the Government High School, Sikar (Rajasthan), and further education at the universities of Pilani (Rajasthan), Kanpur, and Agra.

- VASUDEV DEVNANI

He was a brilliant student and a gold medalist, and also excelled in morality, discipline, and organizational skills. Despite being born into a humble farmer family, he developed an extraordinary personality and remarkable intellectual abilities. He dedicated his entire life to the reconstruction of society and the nation. His birth anniversary is not merely a memorial day, but an opportunity to embrace his ideals.

Indian culture and tradition were deeply ingrained in Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's life and ideology. He believed that India was not only a political but also a cultural nation, whose soul was rooted in the values of Sanatan Dharma. Instead of blindly emulating Western ideologies, he emphasized finding solutions to India's problems from an Indian perspective. His life was always simple and ascetic. He owned no personal property and never desired luxury. His life was an epitome of sacrifice and dedication. He remained unmarried throughout his life and dedicated his entire life to serving the nation. These ideals of life made him a great personality and an inspiration.

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his student days. As an RSS pracharak, he traveled from village to village, serving the nation and organizing. Recognizing his organizational abilities, he was given important responsibilities at the founding of the Bharatiya JanSangh (1951). From 1951 to 1968, he built the party organization down to the village level. He prioritized organization and ideology over personal ambition.