As India gained its hard fought independence, the belief that the dignity of a just freedom will embolden India’s people to strive to end poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality took hold. Chaudhary Sahab’s humble background, the poverty and associated prejudices he witnessed and experienced growing up in a hamlet of rural India, contributed to his resolve to dedicate himself to the cause of social reform and nation building. Among many of India’s founding fathers participating in the freedom struggle, Chaudhary Charan Singhji took up service to his nation passionately.

It was during Chaudhary Charan Singh ji’s ascendency in the ranks of Indian politics that political observers and social scientists associate a shift in Indian polity in a movement in which those in the margins organized into an effective political force for action. Chaudhary Sahab was at the forefront of the efforts to galvanise the rural masses. As sons of the soil successfully took over the reins of Government at various levels, at the State and federal level, the social churn gave rise to hope that policies will be framed to engage with and include the poorest of the poor in the mainstream. Chaudhary Sahab served India as our 5th Prime Minister and also in many capacities as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Home and twice as Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh. He instituted many programs, policies and reforms in the interest of the peasants and rural economy. If the word ‘Kisan’ reverbates in Indian even today, it is because memories of Chaudhary Charan Singh ji and the will of his followers are still strong in the hearts and minds of Indians.