Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday described Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee as the architect of the vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Best India) and called upon citizens to make dedicated efforts toward building a developed and self-reliant India. Speaking at a state-level event in Ambala City to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Mookerjee, Nadda emphasized that the most meaningful tribute to the leader would be for every citizen to contribute to the nation's progress, always prioritizing national interest over personal considerations.
Nadda highlights Mookerjee's role in safeguarding national unity
Nadda stated that Dr Mookerjee dedicated his entire life to protecting India's unity, integrity, and cultural nationalism. “Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that vision is being translated into reality,” he said. Nadda criticized the Congress party for its politics of appeasement and noted that Mookerjee felt the need to establish a strong alternative, leading him to found the Bharatiya Jan Sangh.
“Dr Mookerjee was not merely a historical figure but the architect of the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’,” Nadda added. He recalled that Mookerjee had advocated for granting citizenship to refugees who fled religious persecution in East Pakistan, a vision fulfilled by Prime Minister Modi through the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Government initiatives aligned with Mookerjee's nationalist vision
The Union Minister highlighted that flagship initiatives such as Make in India, defence manufacturing, the National Education Policy, and Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) represent important steps toward realizing Dr Mookerjee's nationalist vision. These programmes, Nadda said, are integral to building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also addressed the event, said that Dr Mookerjee's life stands as a symbol of national service, sacrifice, and unwavering principles. He recalled that while traveling to Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Mookerjee made a halt at Ambala Cantonment railway station and addressed a public gathering. The CM announced that the under-construction Science Centre in Ambala Cantonment, being built at a cost of Rs 85 crore, will be named after Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He also announced that a statue of Dr Mookerjee would be installed at the Shaheed Smarak adjacent to the science centre.
CM recalls Mookerjee's historic call on national unity
Chief Minister Saini recalled Dr Mookerjee's historic call: “One nation cannot have two flags, two constitutions and two prime ministers.” This statement, he said, underscores Mookerjee's unwavering commitment to India's unity and sovereignty.
Haryana BJP chief Dr Archana Gupta said, “Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee made the ultimate sacrifice for the unity of the nation and was among the earliest advocates of making India self-reliant.” She added that as independent India's first Minister for Industry and Supply, Dr Mookerjee earned widespread respect for his integrity, commitment to duty, and principled public life, even while serving in opposition to prevailing political currents.
Several other BJP leaders, including Dr Sudha Yadav, Sandeep Joshi, Banto Kataria, Aseem Goel, and Mandeep Rana, were present at the event.
