Setting up of a National Memorial at the birth place of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan in Bihar

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval to the proposal of the Ministry of Culture for setting up of a National Memorial at Lala Ka Tola, Sitab, Diara, District Chhapra (Saran) in Bihar – the birth place of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan. The Memorial will also house a virtual museum and an institute to undertake study and research on (a) democracy, (b) enhancing the role of Panchayats in nation building, (c) Gandhian thoughts, and (d) centre for Khadi and constructive work keeping in view the thoughts of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan, along with Lok Nayak Khadi Gaurav Samvardhan Kendra at the same place for making national flags by women cluster(s).

Bharat Ratna Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan’s contribution as an exemplary leader of Indian independence movement, a freedom fighter, social reformer and a visionary political leader will be commemorated through these decisions. As sentinel of Indian democracy, his contribution to redeem democracy will be remembered for long. After proclamation of National Emergency, on the mid-night of 25th June, 1975, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan was arrested and kept as a detenu at Chandigarh.

Jai Prakash Narayan’s call for a Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution) for upholding and defending civil liberties at a very critical juncture in the post-independence history of India, ushered a new democratic movement for India and contributed to strengthen the roots of democracy.