VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Pays Tribute to Chaudhary Charan Singh, Urges Eightfold Rise in Farmer Income for Viksit Bharat

Delhi | May 29, 2025 — On the solemn occasion of Chaudhary Charan Singh’s death anniversary, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar paid heartfelt floral tributes at Kisan Ghat, New Delhi. The homage wasn’t just ceremonial—it was also a stirring call to action for India’s farmers and policymakers alike.

Remembering a Farmer’s Prime Minister

Speaking at the memorial, Dhankhar praised Chaudhary Saheb as a true icon of India’s rural transformation. “His entire life was devoted to farmers and villages,” the Vice President said. “Even before independence, he was fighting for the rights of those who worked the land but had no ownership of it.”

Indeed, Chaudhary Charan Singh is widely regarded as a leader who not only championed land reforms but also laid the foundation for pro-farmer policy thinking that still echoes in India’s agrarian politics.

Redefining 'Viksit Bharat': Not Just About Economic Rankings

In a shift from ceremonial tributes to policy reflections, VP Dhankhar emphasized a bold and pressing idea: redefining the very essence of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). According to him, “It’s not about where we rank globally in terms of GDP. Real development will come only when every citizen, especially the farmer, sees their income grow eight times.”

That remark stands out at a time when policymakers are focused on GDP milestones. Dhankhar's appeal takes the conversation beyond macroeconomic metrics, pointing instead toward inclusive and sustainable rural development.

Farmers Must Enter Agri-Trade, Not Just Stay with Production

One of the most striking parts of his speech was a clear suggestion for India's farmers to evolve from being mere producers to becoming stakeholders in the agriculture and animal husbandry trade.

“Our farmers need to be farsighted now,” Dhankhar urged. “They’re doing a great job with production, but the real growth lies in stepping into the business side—agri-trade, dairy, and allied sectors.”

This recommendation comes at a time when India is attempting to modernize its agricultural ecosystem, promote farm-to-market models, and support self-help groups and cooperatives. Analysts say that integrating farmers into the trade chain could be the next big revolution in Indian agriculture.

A Message Rooted in Legacy, But Looking Forward

While the Vice President’s remarks honored a legacy of agrarian activism, his speech wasn’t rooted in nostalgia. It was a vision statement—inviting India’s youth, rural entrepreneurs, and policymakers to reimagine agriculture not as a burden, but as a vast opportunity.

The juxtaposition of Chaudhary Charan Singh’s legacy with a future-ready vision of agricultural economics sent a powerful message: the past must guide, but not limit, our imagination.

As India eyes 2047 and beyond, the question is no longer whether to develop, but how inclusively we do it. And in that pursuit, farmers and villages can’t be left behind—they must lead.

Source :- Press Information Bureau (pib.gov.in)