When developing the Ekatma Manav Darshan, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Ji proposed an integrated approach to the problems of mankind. In many ways, the philosophy proposed by Pandit Ji which Jan Sangh adopted as it’s official doctrine is the first of its kind indigenous model. In 1951 when Shyama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Jan Sangh, the world was aggressively split into competing models of development namely Capitalism where individualism reigned supreme and Communism where the ruling order exerted complete control over the collective. In this world order which saw cold war for next few decades, Pandit Deendayal Ji showed courage by opposing western capitalist individualism and Marxist socialism even while welcoming western science. Humankind according to Upadhyay had four heirarchial attributes of body, mind, intellect and soul which corresponded to four universal objectives. By rejecting social systems where individuals reigned supreme or got crushed, he pointed out that problem of western ideologies is that they consider only materialist objectives of desire and wealth. Even after India became independent, the attempt at decolonization of Indian political thought was a major contribution by Pandit Deendayal Ji which the current Modi Government is continuing under it’s rule.
Ever Since the Modi Government came into power in 2014, the focus of the administration has always been on ‘”Antyodaya” i.e the rise of the last person. Western societies measuring their economic might aided by capitalism often paint a rosy picture of themselves due to the focus on top of the pyramid. GDP is growing because the number of HNIs and new billionaires are rising they claim. While the average wealth surely does rise, it doesn’t take into account the inequity such a system fosters. By tilting the pyramid upside down and claiming that upliftment of those who are at the bottom of economic pyramid is the aim of the BJP, PM Modi is living upto the visions of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. We aim at the progress and happiness of “Man”, the Integral Man. The protagonists of the two systems fight with ‘Man’ on the state. Both of them do not understand man, nor do they care for his interests,” Upadhyay Ji had said in a speech in 1965. Unless extreme poverty isn’t reduced, an integrated development of the nation as a whole would be impossible.
The welfare schemes introduced by PM Modi lays bare his emphasis on Antyodaya. The Ujjwala Yojana of the Modi Government was completed ahead of deadline in 2019 when eight crore beneficiaries who didn’t have gas connection received free LPG connection. The second version of the scheme targeted at one crore beneficiaries is expected to translate into full LPG penetration in the country. With a scheme which targets women at the bottom of the pyramid, PM Modi is fulfilling the Antyodaya vision. The other vulnerable category namely the elderly has been immensely benefitted by Atal Pension Yojana. In a country like India with a huge number of people employed in unorganised sector, a scheme which offers monthly pension of Rs.1000 to Rs.5000 to any person after 60 years of age clearly points to the priorities of the Modi Government. The Prime Minister Aawas Yojana is another such scheme which helps those who struggle to buy a home. The ambitious scheme has been given a fresh target of delivering about 2.67 crore houses by the end of 2022, 1.53 crore houses (60%) have been completed so far and another 48 lakh have been sanctioned and are in various stages of construction. The government is aiming to complete 2.01 crore houses hence by March 2022 and the rest of the target (65 lakh houses) by the end of 2022.
Narendra Modi Ji himself made his target of Antyodaya clearn when he stated from the rampart of the Red Fort on August 15, 2021 that “The biggest advantage of this 100 percent accomplishment rate is that no one remains deprived of the benefits of the government scheme. When the government operates with a target to reach the person in the last line, only then there is no discrimination and there is no scope for corruption,”.
The vision of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Ji was well ahead of his times as the world is realizing now. When the philosophy was first propounded, the world was divided between Capitalism and Communism. In the decades that followed, the hollowness of Communism led to the collapse of Soviet Union while the excesses of Capitalism is leading to unrest in Western societies with great economic inequities. Pandit Ji’s integrated approach has stood the nation in good stead and PM Modi Ji has taken it on a mission mode to realise the vision. Victor Hugo rightly said that “No army can stop an idea whose time has come”.
About the Author:
Shweta Shalini is BJP Spokesperson and Advisor to former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis. She is also the State in-charge of BJP North Indian Cell.
