New Delhi, February 16: This is the story of a Chief Minister from Bihar who served not once, but twice as the head of the state, yet preferred to travel by rickshaw. Even before his final journey, he had no house in his ancestral village to leave behind. This simplicity and integrity define Jananayak and Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur. His unique approach to politics is filled with numerous tales of honesty and humility.
Born on January 24, 1924, Karpoori Thakur was not just a remarkable leader in Bihar, but across the nation. He possessed rare qualities that set him apart. Immediately after finishing school, he joined the socialist movement and remained committed to socialism throughout his life. He never compromised on his ideals and maintained a consistent alignment between his words and actions, a principle famously articulated by Dr. Lohia as “unity of thought and action.” Thakur remained steadfast on this path, embodying the ideals of socialism.
A poet once wrote about him, “That man, surrounded by the crowd, appears mad to many; yet, he is not the divine but the soul of the crowd.” These words encapsulate the essence of Karpoori Thakur’s personality.
One notable incident reflecting his simplicity occurred when he was selected for a delegation to Australia. Lacking a coat, he borrowed a friend’s, which was also torn. Undeterred, he wore it to Australia. It is said that when Yugoslav Marshal Tito noticed the torn coat, he later gifted Thakur a new one.
Former President Shankar Dayal Sharma once remarked about Thakur, “He did not walk through politics; rather, politics walked through him.” Throughout his life, he worked under various leaders, including JP, Ram Manohar Lohia, Raj Narayan, and Chaudhary Charan Singh. Despite this, his independent spirit and impactful personality earned him the title of Jananayak during his lifetime.
JP and Ram Manohar Lohia were his mentors, believing in a politics devoid of Congress and aimed at eradicating corruption to advance the nation. Thakur followed this path, and his integrity was a hallmark of his life. It is remarkable that even while serving as Chief Minister, he had no property to inherit in his ancestral village, and his clothing often bore the marks of wear, including torn pockets.
Once, during a meeting at Thakur’s residence, Chandrashekhar noticed the torn pocket of the Chief Minister’s kurta. He took off his own kurta and began collecting donations from attendees to buy Thakur a new one. However, true to his humble nature, Thakur accepted the money but chose to donate it to the Chief Minister’s relief fund instead, as shared by journalist Anuranjan Jha in an interview.
Karpoori Thakur, who viewed democracy as his religion, would visit his mother to collect the first funds for his election campaigns. He understood and advocated for the minimal use of money in elections, contrasting it with the rampant misuse often seen. His leadership skills were evident from a young age; at just 14, he founded the Nav Yuvak Sangh and initiated a library that he managed.
This great personality passed away on February 17, 1988.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment