PM pays tribute to Nanaji Deshmukh, JP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday paid tribute to social activists Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Nanaji Deshmukh on their birth anniversaries.

"Jayaprakash Narayan (also known as JP) was a true nationalist, who devoted his life to service and nation building. Tributes on his birth anniversary," Modi said in a statement.

"JP's call for 'Sampoorna Kranti' galvanised the entire nation and played a historic role in preserving India's democratic fabric," he said.

In 1999, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in recognition of his social work. JP was born Oct 11, 1902. He died Oct 8, 1979.

Paying tribute to Deshmukh, the prime minister said: "Tributes to Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary. His organisation skills and efforts to serve society are a source of inspiration for us."

Deshmukh, born in 1916, was a social activist and worked in the fields of education, health, and rural self-reliance. He was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

Deshmukh had worked as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteer and was a leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and also a member of the Rajya Sabha. He died Feb 27, 2010.