A poignant moment was witnessed during the swearing-in ceremony held at the historic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, West Bengal, while the event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Chief Ministers from several states and other dignitaries. During the program, PM Modi touched the feet of an elderly man on stage, draped a shawl around him, and embraced him with a smile. This gesture of respect by the Prime Minister sparked curiosity among the attendees and observers regarding the identity of the elderly gentleman who received such high honor and blessings from the PM.
Who is Makhanlal Sarkar?
The elderly person honored by Prime Minister Modi is one of the most senior and dedicated workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, while his name is Makhanlal Sarkar, and he's 98 years old. Sarkar is one of the early grassroots leaders associated with the nationalist movement in post-independence India. A significant milestone in his life occurred in 1952 when he was arrested alongside Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee during the movement to hoist the Indian national flag in Kashmir.
Role in BJP's Formation and Organizational Growth
Following the formation of the BJP in 1980, Makhanlal Sarkar played a crucial role in strengthening the party's foundation. He served as the organizational coordinator for the districts of West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling. His organizational prowess was evident when, within just one year, he helped induct approximately 10,000 members into the party. From 1981 onwards, he served as the District President for seven consecutive years. This was considered an extraordinary achievement at a time when BJP leaders typically didn't hold a single organizational post for more than two years.
Prime Minister's Arrival and Greeting
The Prime Minister arrived at the venue in an open vehicle, waving to the thousands of supporters who had gathered since morning for the swearing-in ceremony. Modi landed at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport shortly before 10:00 AM. From the airport, he traveled by helicopter to the Race Course ground, after which he reached the venue at Brigade Parade Ground by road.
A Sea of Saffron at Brigade Parade Ground
The Brigade Parade Ground was transformed into a sea of saffron as BJP supporters from across West Bengal, neighboring states like Jharkhand, and even from abroad arrived to witness the event. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as the Prime Minister acknowledged the crowd before proceeding with the formal proceedings of the ceremony, which included the special recognition of the veteran leader Makhanlal Sarkar.
The gesture of Prime Minister Modi draping a shawl and touching the feet of Makhanlal Sarkar served as a tribute to the veteran's decades of struggle and unwavering loyalty to the party. The massive gathering at the Brigade Parade Ground, including international supporters, highlighted the scale of the event.