Veteran political figure LK Advani reached the milestone of 99 years on November 8. Marking the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi published a detailed tribute highlighting his lifelong service to the nation. The Prime Minister noted on the social media platform X that this year's birthday coincides with the auspicious festival of Diwali, adding a unique significance to the celebrations alongside the 75th anniversary of the founding of Jan Sangh and the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
The Prime Minister described the occasion as deeply emotional on a personal level, expressing gratitude for the continuous guidance, affection, and mentorship received over the decades. Recalling the early days of entering public life, the relationship evolved into a parental bond where foundational political lessons were imparted step by step, providing immense strength during challenging times.
Encounters with the veteran leader continue to infuse renewed energy and inspiration. Pointing out the rarity of a life encompassing so many chapters of modern Indian history, the tribute highlighted his birth on Dev Diwali in 1927. In his youth during the 1947 partition, he faced the immense hardship of leaving behind his homeland in Sindh to start life from scratch without carrying any bitterness.
This resilience defined his efforts in building the Jan Sangh and subsequently shaping the Bharatiya Janata Party. During his tenure as party president, the political landscape witnessed major shifts, culminating in the party emerging as the largest force in the country by 1996 while preparing multiple generations of workers based on the principle of nation first.
Two distinct traits defined his leadership style: intellectual sharpness coupled with ideological clarity, and a fearless stance against pseudo-secularism that dominated the political discourse for decades. Responsibilities taken on were executed with absolute dedication, beginning as an RSS pracharak in Rajasthan and later moving to Delhi to work alongside Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The decades-long partnership between the two leaders stands as a rare and unique example in political history, remaining steadfast through changing political tides based on mutual trust and respect. Arriving in Delhi when the city was recovering from partition trauma, he served as the Chairman of the Delhi Metropolitan Council in 1967 and began a prominent parliamentary career in the 1970s marked by active legislative participation across both houses.
