Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary, acknowledging his lifelong dedication to the welfare, dignity, and empowerment of farmers. Extending greetings on National Farmers Day, CM Dhami highlighted that Chaudhary Charan Singh devoted his life to protecting farmers rights and prioritizing agriculture and rural development in national policymaking.

“On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister ‘Bharat Ratna’ Chaudhary Charan Singh, the empowered and fearless voice of farmers, countless salutations. Throughout his life, he fought for the rights, pride, and empowerment of those who feed the nation, placing agriculture and rural India at the heart of policies and decisions,” CM Dhami said.

He also conveyed his greetings to farmers across the country, reiterating the Uttarakhand government’s commitment to their welfare. “Heartfelt greetings to all food providers and farmers on National Farmers Day. Our government remains dedicated to their welfare, respect, and empowerment,” he added. National Farmers Day, or Kisan Diwas, observed on December 23, recognizes the invaluable contribution of farmers to India’s social and economic fabric and coincides with Chaudhary Charan Singh’s birth anniversary. Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister, is remembered as a champion of farmers’ rights and rural upliftment.

Several political leaders also paid tribute. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan praised Singh as a leader committed to farmers’ welfare, whose principles remain relevant in India’s path toward a developed and self-reliant nation. “Millions of salutations to the messiah of farmers, former Prime Minister ‘Bharat Ratna’ Chaudhary Charan Singh. His lifelong dedication to farmers and rural development continues to inspire the nation. Repeated obeisance at his feet,” said Chauhan. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also remembered Singh, noting his role in shaping India’s agrarian policies and strengthening the rural economy. “His commitment to justice, equality, and farmers’ empowerment continues to inspire all those working for the nation’s heartland,” he said.

Born on December 23, 1902, Chaudhary Charan Singh served as India’s fifth Prime Minister from July 1979 to January 1980. During his career, he held several key portfolios, including Minister for Home and Agriculture in CB Gupta’s ministry (1960) and Minister for Agriculture and Forests under Sucheta Kripalani (1962–63). His notable contributions include the Redemption Bill of 1939, which aided rural debtors, and the Land Holding Act of 1960 as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, aimed at uniformly reducing land ceilings across the state.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from CMO.