2020-02-27 Thu

Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh affectionately called Nanaji Deshmukh was an Indian social activist from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Born on 11th October 1916 in Kadoli, Hingoli district, Maharashtra, Deshmukh lost his parents when he was very young. Maharaja of Sikar gave him a scholarship for pursuing his education. He studied at Birla College.

Nanaji joined the RSS in 1928 as a 12-year-old and later remained a member of Bhartiya Jan Sangh, the political arm of the right-wing group. He later became a part of the Janata Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. Deshmukh also actively participated in Bhoodan Movement that was initiated by Vinoba Bhave.

He is credited with bolstering Jana Sangh in Uttar Pradesh. A social activist, he laid emphasis on education. He established 1st Saraswati Shishu Mandir at Gorakhpur in 1950. His contribution to nation-building is everlasting and forever commemorative. He has received Padma Vibhushan in 1999 for his contributions towards the society. To honor this great social worker and patriot, Government of India awarded him the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award posthumously in 2019.

Deshmukh died on 27 February 2010 in Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya. His body was donated to Dadhichi Dehdaan Sanstha of New Delhi and was sent to All India Institute of Medical Sciences for medical research. In 2010, India Postal Department has issued a 500 Paise commemorative postage stamps to observe the birth centenary of Nanaji Deshmukh today.

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