President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday unveiled the bust of former President, the late KR Narayanan, on the premises of Kerala Raj Bhavan. The bust, erected to honour the first Indian President from the Dalit community, was unveiled in the presence of former President Ram Nath Kovind, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, and Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, an official release confirmed. Initially, a PIB release had stated that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also attended the event, but this was later corrected.
In a brief speech following the ceremony, the President described Narayanan's life as a story of courage, perseverance, and self-belief. "Through immense dedication and the power of education, he went on to occupy the highest constitutional office of our nation. His academic excellence was a symbol of what determination and opportunity can accomplish when guided by purpose," Murmu said.
She noted that before entering politics, Narayanan built a distinguished career in the Indian Foreign Service, where he upheld India's values of peace, justice, and cooperation with the utmost sincerity. She added that Narayanan was always steadfast in his principles of fairness and inclusion.
"Narayanan was also the Vice-President of our country. His journey reached its peak when he became the President of India. He carried into the Rashtrapati Bhavan not only his experience as a statesman but also the wisdom and humility of his personality," Murmu said.
The President underlined that Narayanan remained deeply rooted in his connection to Kerala, his home state.
She stated that throughout his life, Narayanan had consistently emphasised the role of education in human and national development. "For him, education was not a privilege for the few, but a right for all. Narayanan believed that human values are essential for the growth of a civilisation and are fundamental to the development of a society," the President stated.
She concluded that Narayanan has left behind a rich legacy of morality, integrity, compassion, and democratic spirit. "As we remember him today, we should draw inspiration from his life, which was dedicated to nation-building, to create a more inclusive, just, and compassionate India." The President ensued confidence that his memory will inspire people to uphold the values of equality, integrity, and public service that he stood for.
"I would like to thank Ram Nath Kovind ji, Former President of India, under whose guidance this initiative has been taken," she said.
Narayanan served as the 10th President of India from 1997 to 2002. He passed away on November 9, 2005, at the age of 85.
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