On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the family members of late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, who was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. Thakur’s family expressed gratitude during their meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Delhi. His son, Ram Nath Thakur, a Rajya Sabha member, represented them.
Modi praised Karpoori Thakur as the protector of the underprivileged, highlighting his dedication to social justice. Ram Nath Thakur compared the event to a second Diwali celebration and expressed gratitude on behalf of the family, Bihar, and underprivileged groups.
Ranjit Kumar, Thakur’s grandson, shared the Prime Minister’s outreach after the award announcement and described meeting the PM as a family member. Born in 1924, Karpoori Thakur climbed through the ranks of the Nai Samaj to become the Chief Minister of Bihar, where he steadfastly promoted affirmative action and social equality.
Thakur’s political journey, which saw him go from the Praja Socialist Party to the Janata Party and then the Janata Dal, represented his dedication to empowering the underprivileged. His legacy is one of compassion and tenacity, encouraging continued work towards a more equitable society.
Karpoori Thakur passed away in 1988, leaving a lasting impact on Indian politics and social justice.
