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"If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right in the country."
-M. S. Swaminathan.
INTRODUCTION
Since 2001, Government of India celebrates December 23 as National farmer’s day. This day is also known as Kisan Diwas. The day is celebrated as Kisan Diwas to mark the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji who served as the 5th prime minister for India. He served from 27 July, 1979 to 14 January, 1980. He passed away in 1987.
The historians and people frequently called him as the ‘champion of India’s peasants. He was called so because during his tenure he continuously worked for the agricultural sector. He played a pivotal role by drafting and enacting various bills and laws for the farmers.
The former Prime Minister followed the slogan of 2nd Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shashtri's 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'. Thus, he was known as a Kisan Leader.
The day is celebrated by organizing various seminars and events so as to make people aware about the farmer community and their efforts.
FACTS ABOUT CHAUDHARY CHARAN SINGH Ji
Born on 23 December, 1902 in Noorpur, Charan Singh Ji came from a peasant family, so he better understood the real condition and the problems that the farmers faced. He introduced budget in the year 1979 that was designed to fulfill the demands of farmers in all respects. He also introduced agricultural produce market bill, which was basically meant to guard the welfare of farmers against the greed of dealers.
Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji was also responsible for the abolishment of Zamindari system as he enacted and implemented the Zamindari Abolition Act. He took various protests against collective land use policies of Jawaharlal Nehru. He was a very effective writer, so he penned down the various thoughts he had in mind regarding the problems of farmers.
Charan Singh Ji always contributed himself for the development of the farmers of India. The famous ‘Kisan Ghat’ in New Delhi is dedicated to Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji due to his contribution to farmer’s communities in the North.
KISAN DIWAS CELEBRATION
The Kisan Diwas is celebrated across the country by organizing various seminars and workshops where farmers are made aware about the various practices so as to they can adopt in their farming. The government announces various fresh policies relating to agriculture, farming by which they can be benefitted. The farmers are also educated about the new insurance schemes which are there in the field so as to benefit them.
CONCLUSION
We all know that Agriculture and farmers are the backbone of our economy. This day is too celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the great soul who worked for the benefit of farmers.
In 2019, the honorable prime minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi said a few words tweeting as follows:
“Remembering Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji on his Jayanti. Unwavering when it came to safeguarding the rights of hardworking farmers, Charan Singh Ji also worked tirelessly for the empowerment of the marginalized. He was at the forefront of strengthening India’s democratic fabric”.
REFERENCES
1. fernsnpetals, https://www.fnp.com/article/all-you-need-to-know-about-kisan-diwas, (last visited December 22,2020)
2. INDIA TODAY, https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/national-farmer-s-day-2019-some-popular-quotes-on-kisan-divas-1630875-2019-12-23, (last visited December 22, 2020)
3. NEWS 18 INDIA, https://www.news18.com/news/india/kisan-diwas-2019-india-observes-national-farmers-day-honours-former-pm-chaudhary-charan-singh-2433189.html, (last visited December 22,2020)
4. DNA, https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-national-farmers-day-2019-here-s-why-we-celebrate-kisan-diwas-on-birth-anniversary-of-this-former-pm-2806474, (last visited December 22,2020)
5. FESTIVALS OF INDIA, https://www.festivalsofindia.in/Kisan-Diwas/, (last visited December 22,2020)