Samastipur (Bihar), Oct 24 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the late Karpoori Thakur, a former chief minister of Bihar and Bharat Ratna awardee, during his visit to Karpoori Gram, Thakur’s native village in Samastipur district.

Accompanying the Prime Minister were Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur—Karpoori Thakur’s son—and other prominent leaders. The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to meet with family members of the esteemed leader.

Karpoori Thakur was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, last year. Born on January 24, 1924, he served as Bihar’s Chief Minister twice during the 1970s, although he was unable to complete his terms on both occasions.

Thakur was instrumental in implementing reservations for backward classes, demonstrating his commitment to social justice by prioritizing these reforms over his political career. Notably, he was the first non-Congress chief minister of Bihar.