Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has stepped into his 75th year. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his birthday greetings to Venkaiah Naidu, expressing his wishes for a long and healthy life. Modi took this opportunity to write a special article highlighting Naidu’s life dedicated to service and commitment to nation-building. He described Naidu’s journey from politics to Vice President as exemplary and inspiring to many.
Modi commended Naidu’s unwavering dedication to public service, noting his eloquence, shrewdness, and strong focus on developmental issues, which have earned him respect beyond party lines. Modi shared his experiences of working with Naidu, emphasizing their long-standing association and the lessons learned from him. He praised Naidu’s love for people and his continuous learning and activism in politics, starting from his student political days in Andhra Pradesh.
The Prime Minister shared this article on the social media platform X, detailing Naidu’s political journey, his rise through the ranks, his role as Vice President, and his significant contributions to party expansion and the fight against the Emergency. Modi highlighted Naidu’s multifaceted personality, including his passion for reading and writing.
“Today, former Vice President of India and statesman M. Venkaiah Naidu steps into his 75th year. I wish him a long and healthy life and extend my best wishes to all his well-wishers and supporters. This is an occasion to reflect on a life marked by dedication, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to public service. From his early days in politics to his tenure as Vice President, Venkaiah’s career exemplifies the complexities of Indian politics. His eloquence, shrewdness, and firm focus on developmental issues have earned him respect beyond party lines,” Modi stated.
Modi reminisced about their decades-long association, noting how they worked together and how he learned a lot from Naidu. He emphasized Naidu’s enduring love for the people and his activism in politics, which began with student politics in Andhra Pradesh. Modi acknowledged Naidu’s talents, oratory skills, and organizational abilities, stating that he could have been welcomed by any political party but chose to work with the Sangh Parivar inspired by the vision of “Nation First.” Naidu’s association with RSS and ABVP eventually strengthened Jan Sangh and BJP.
Modi recounted how young Naidu participated in the anti-Emergency movement and was jailed for inviting Loknayak JP to Andhra Pradesh. This commitment to democracy resurfaced throughout his political life. In the mid-1980s, when the Congress indiscriminately dismissed the government of the great actor NTR, Naidu once again stood at the forefront to protect democratic principles.
Modi shared the emotional moment when Naidu, as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presided over the decision to repeal Articles 370 and 35(A), a moment he believed was deeply moving for Naidu, who was inspired by Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s dream of an undivided India.
Even after his tenure, Naidu remains active in public life, frequently calling Modi to discuss emotional issues or various developments across the country. Modi shared how he met Naidu when their government came to power for the third time. He expressed his hope that young activists, elected representatives, and all those with a desire to serve would learn from Naidu’s life and imbibe those values, as it is people like him who make the country better and more vibrant.