It is an honour and privilege to stand here today at the sacred soil of Sitabdiara of Saran district — the birthplace of one of India’s tallest leaders, a true people's hero, and a tireless crusader for justice and democracy — Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayanji.
Today, as we gather to commemorate his 123rd birth anniversary, we are not merely paying tribute to this great man — we are celebrating an ideal - an ideal that puts Nation above self, values above power, and people above politics.
Lok Nayak Jayaprakash ji, or JP as the nation lovingly remembers him, was not just a freedom fighter — he was a conscience keeper of our democracy. From the struggle for Independence to the call for ‘Total Revolution’ in the 1970s, his life remained a beacon of moral courage, simplicity, and sacrifice.
Lok Nayak had no desire for power. When offered the highest offices of the land, he humbly declined. His strength lay in his moral authority, not political ambition.
The words of Lok Nayak, “My interest is not in the capture of power, but in the control of power by the people,” are a reflection of his belief in the values and ethos of true democracy. He steadfastly believed in value-based, ethical politics, not power-hungry governance.
As we fondly remember today, our beloved leader Shri Jayaprakash ji, let us not fail to acknowledge the unfailing support of his spouse, Smt. Prabhavati Devi, who had made a vow of celibacy (Brahamacharya) as an act of selflessness’ towards the cause of freedom movement in India.
The active and stellar role played by Lok Nayak in the Bhoodan movement participation lent credibility and national prominence to the movement. He gave new energy and impetus to the movement, especially in Bihar, where he mobilized communities and inspired countless people to think beyond self-interest and work for the common good.
At a time, when corruption became prevalent in all walks of life, he had a strong conviction that it was the youth of the Nation that had the power to revive and reconstruct the democratic values. He was a firm believer in the philosophy of non-violent revolution for bringing about social change.
His clarion call for Sampoorna Kranti — Total Revolution — was not a rebellion of arms, but a revolution of ideas. He dreamed of a nation where governance is clean, the poor are empowered, and youth are active participants in shaping India’s destiny. He dedicated himself to nation-building and social reconstruction through non-violent means.
It is a personal privilege and honour for me, as I had a very close association with the ‘Total Revolution’ movement. At the age of nineteen, responding to the call of Lok Nayakji, I immersed myself in the movement. I was the District General Secretary of the Total Revolution Movement at Coimbatore.
He was a great champion for people’s empowerment, always placing Lok Shakti (the power of the common people) above the Rajya Shakti (the power of the State).
Even today, the strength of our democratic institutions rests on the values that Lok Nayak so strongly upheld — transparency, accountability, public service, and the courage to stand for what is right.
As we march towards a Viksit Bharat@2047, let us practice his ideals and values to create a Bharat – that is, vibrant and inclusive.
I take this moment to revere this land of Bihar — which has given us one of India’s noblest son Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayanji.
Let us pay homage to our great Leader and renew our commitment to the values that Lok Nayak stood for — truth, justice, non-violence, and people’s power. May his memory forever remind us that in a democracy, the people always come first.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!
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