The measure of economic planning and progress will not be determined by those who have reached the top of society’s ladder, but by those who are at its very bottom. Today, there are crores of people in our country who are deprived of even the most basic human rights. The rules and systems of governance, policies and schemes, and the behavior and attitude of administration do not encompass them; instead, they are often seen as obstacles in the path of development.
Our belief and principle are that these poor, unclean, illiterate, and seemingly ignorant people are our Narayan — our divine beings. We must revere them. This is our social and human duty. The day we provide them with permanent, beautiful, and clean homes; the day we impart education and life philosophy to their children and women; the day we heal the cracks and wounds on their hands and feet; and the day we train them in industries and trades to elevate their income — that will be the day when our feeling of brotherhood will be truly expressed.
In villages, where time seems to stand still, where parents are unable to shape a better future for their children — until we bring them the message of hope and hard work, we will not be able to awaken the true spirit of our nation. The center of our faith, our object of worship, the instrument of our valor and efforts, and the measure of our achievements must be that person who is, in the truest sense, shelterless and possessionless today.
— From the souvenir ‘Samagra Drishti’;
Published by Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Janmabhoomi Smarak Samiti, Nagla Chandrabhan; 8 January, 1991