Ambala, July 6 (IANS) Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday paid tributes to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, on the 125th birth anniversary of the staunch nationalist, a visionary educationist and the architect of the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.

The Union Minister said that Mookerjee’s ideals and resolve have been realised under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

J.P. Nadda described the abrogation of Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the National Education Policy, and industrial development as extensions of Dr Mookerjee’s vision.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana BJP state President Archana Gupta, former Member of Parliament Sudha Yadav and other senior leaders were present on the dais during the programme.

J.P. Nadda said he considered himself fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the sacred land of Ambala in Haryana on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary Dr Mookerjee.

He paid his respects to this land, which is regarded as the land of the Gita from both cultural and religious perspectives, noting that it has been closely associated with India’s freedom struggle, has been the ‘karmabhoomi’ of the nation’s brave heroes, and has brought glory to the country through Haryana’s achievements in sports.

All those present had gathered to reflect on the life, legacy, and inspiration of Dr Mookerjee so that everyone could once again draw inspiration from him and resolve to dedicate their lives to the nation.

J.P. Nadda said Dr Mookerjee’s contributions are not merely a part of history but represent a way of life, as he dedicated his entire life to the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.

He said Dr Mookerjee was the founding President of the party to which they all belong and established the Bharatiya Jana Sangh on October 21, 1951, based on this ideology.

J.P. Nadda added that it is a matter of great satisfaction that the sapling whose roots Dr Mookerjee nurtured and helped grow has under the leadership of PM Modi emerged as the world’s largest political party.

“Today, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the NDA govern nearly 78 per cent of the country’s population, while the BJP-led NDA’s lotus symbol flies across approximately 72 per cent of India’s geographical area,” said the former BJP President said.

He said that when he described Dr Mookerjee as an idea, he meant that Dr Mookerjee embodied a vision dedicated to India’s cultural heritage, an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the nation’s unity and integrity.

“Every member and karyakarta of the party should take pride in the fact that its founding President and founder, who established the party, came from an extraordinary family and possessed an exceptional legacy, the values of which continue to be deeply embedded in the Bharatiya Janata Party.”

J.P. Nadda said it would be a matter of surprise, happiness, and pride for everyone to know that Dr Mookerjee was not born into an ordinary family but was the son of Dr Ashutosh Mookerjee.

He said that Dr Ashutosh Mookerjee had served as the Acting Chief Justice and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta.

As Vice-Chancellor, he had firmly told the British administration that there should be no difference in the salaries and facilities provided to British and Indian professors, thereby sowing the seeds of Indian nationalism.

He also advocated the promotion and advancement of Indian languages at the University of Calcutta. J.P. Nadda said the son of such a distinguished father went on to become the Vice-Chancellor of the same university at the age of just 33, making Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee the youngest Vice-Chancellor in its history.

–IANS

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