Bengaluru, July 6 (IANS)  The Karnataka BJP on Monday paid floral tributes to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary and participated in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a sapling at the party’s state headquarters in Bengaluru.

Marking the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whom the BJP described as a strong proponent of India’s unity, integrity and nationalism, party leaders paid floral tributes to his portrait at Jagannath Bhavan, the Karnataka BJP state headquarters in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.

The leaders later took part in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a sapling to spread the message of environmental conservation and encourage tree plantation.

The programme was attended by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP Karnataka co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy, MLC C.T. Ravi, BJP State General Secretary N. Ravi Kumar, along with other party office-bearers and senior leaders.

Union Minister Joshi stated: “The unparalleled contributions of the great patriot Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee towards India’s unity, industrial development, and reforms in the education sector continue to serve as a guiding light for the building of a New India. His exceptional political leadership in founding and nurturing the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, with nationalism at its core, remains unparalleled. As a proud son of Mother India who lived by the principle of ‘Nation First’, may his ideals and vision continue to inspire the younger generation.”

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, in a statement, said, “A great patriot who believed in Nation First and lived by that conviction, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee dedicated his life to the service of Bharat. As independent India’s first Minister for Industry and Supply, he was a visionary leader who laid a strong foundation for the nation’s industrial self-reliance.”

“On the occasion of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary, the special Op-Ed was penned by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and published in Kannada dailies. The article offers profound insights into Dr Mookerjee’s life, struggles, sacrifices and unwavering dedication to the nation,” Kumaraswamy stated.

“I urge all Kannadigas to read this insightful article and draw inspiration from the extraordinary life and legacy of this great son of Bharat,” he underlined.

“Dr Mookerjee was a fearless patriot, an eminent scholar and a visionary statesman whose unwavering commitment to India’s unity and integrity continues to guide generations. His ideals and immense contribution to nation-building remain deeply relevant in our journey towards a strong and self-reliant Bharat,” Kumaraswamy stated.

Statement by BJP MLC C.T. Ravi said, “On the birth anniversary of the great patriot and founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who raised his voice for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir – the crown jewel of Mother India – with the rest of the country and laid down his life for that cause, I pay my humble tributes.”

“The ideological spark that he ignited for the dream of an undivided India and for the abrogation of Article 370 has now become a reality. His supreme sacrifice for the unity and sovereignty of the nation will continue to inspire generations,” he said.

–IANS

mka/dpb