Remembering Chaudhary Charan Singh, The Champion Prime Minister of Farmers!

India celebrates National Farmers' Day, or Kisan Diwas, on December 23rd every year to honour the immense contribution of farmers to the nation's development. The day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India, known as the "Champion of Farmers". 

Chaudhary Charan Singh: A Leader of the Soil 

Born in 1902 in a humble farming family in Uttar Pradesh, Chaudhary Charan Singh dedicated his life to advocating for farmers' rights. A visionary statesman, he believed in empowering the agricultural sector and improving rural livelihoods. His policies reflected his profound understanding of grassroots issues, shaped by his own experiences as a farmer. 

During his tenure as Prime Minister between 1979 to 1980, he implemented significant reforms to support farmers, including: 

Abolition of the Zamindari System: The system recognised the zamindars as landowners who let out their lands to tenant farmers in return for a share of the produce. The zamindar, in turn, had to pay a fixed sum to the British Government. This led to the exploitation of the peasants. Charan Singh abolished this practice during his tenure.

Agricultural Policies: He introduced schemes to improve irrigation, reduce debts, and provide fair pricing for crops. 

Kisan Manifesto: He also drafted policies focused on farmers' welfare, aiming to bridge the gap between urban and rural development. 

In a true sense, he advocated an economic model that can be best described as agrarian capitalism from the below system in which rural prosperity drives the nation’s economy rather than relying solely on top-down policies that favour large industries or urban-centric growth. For him, India’s growth began not in its factories but in its small enterprises and farms.

Celebrations of Kisan Divas Across India 

On this day, several events are organised to honour farmers' contributions, such as:

Workshops and Seminars: Educating farmers on modern techniques and sustainable agriculture.

Fairs and Exhibitions: Showcasing innovations in farming equipment and practices. 

Awards and Recognition: Honoring progressive farmers who have achieved excellence in agriculture.