Every year, India observes Farmers’ Day or Kisan Diwas on December 23. Farmers are the driving force of the country’s economy and deserve to be honored. The day also celebrates the birth of the fifth Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who started as a farmer before earning his seat in the government. This day aims to promote awareness of the importance of farmers and their valuable contribution to the overall social- and economic development of the nation.
History of Kisan Diwas
Chaudhary Charan Singh is a remarkable testimony to the fact that, despite having humble beginnings and living a plain lifestyle, one can go on to do great things. Kisan Diwas is celebrated on December 23 to honor the anniversary of this great man’s birth.
India is primarily an agriculture-based country; the national economy and citizens of India heavily depend on farmers to sustain the country’s development. It so happens that one of the great leaders in Indian history, Chaudhary Charan Singh, was himself from a small farmer’s family in Uttar Pradesh. Singh went on to become India’s fifth Prime Minister, setting a precedent for the reverence of farmers.
From pre-independence to post-independence, Singh played a key role in the shaping of India’s agricultural sector by advocating and passing different bills for farmers’ reforms. Taking over the seat of Prime Minister Morarji Desai after the demise of the Janata Party, Singh’s tenure was from 1979 to 1980. During his short time as prime minister, Singh strived for the welfare and betterment of Indian farmers. Several schemes were introduced to elevate the social status of farmers.
For his exemplary work and journey from farmer to becoming a head of state, the government of India decided, in the year 2001, to mark Singh’s birth anniversary as the day for celebrating Kisan Diwas.
Annually, on this occasion, several programs are arranged across the country. These events have a significant impact on the farmer community and provide them with platforms for voicing their aspirations and demands. Agricultural scientists showcase the latest in technology and science to assist farmers in maximizing their output. The government also supports farmers by organizing various competitions in which the winners are awarded prizes.
Kisan Diwas timeline
Chaudhary Charan Singh is born.
The subcontinent is partitioned and India gains independence.
Chaudhary Charan Singh becomes the fifth prime minister of India.
Thousands of farmers march to New Delhi with a charter of demands consisting of 15 points.
Kisan Diwas FAQs
How many farms are there in India?
Although there is no exact figure available, there are approximately 150 million farmers running farms on land in India.
Why do we celebrate Kisan Diwas?
Every year, the spirit and dedication of farmers are celebrated on Kisan Diwas in India. The day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh — the fifth prime minister of India.
Which state has the most farmers in India?
It comes as no surprise that Uttar Pradesh is the leading farming state of India. This is the region in which Chaudhary Charan Singh was born and it yields major crop production of rice, grains, sugar cane, and more.
How To Celebrate Kisan Diwas
Visit a Farm
If you have a farm in your area, be sure to visit it. Thank your local farmers for their tireless efforts and dedication. If you can, take your kids along and make the trip an educational one.
Buy directly from a farmer
Farmers are quite underpaid and most of the profits and gains from their produce go to the sellers, corporations, and the government. Farmers or their families sometimes head to the city to sell their produce at markets, so rather try to buy directly from them.
Plant some vegetables/fruit
To make the day a fun one, plant some seeds of your choice. It can be tomatoes, peas, berries, or whatever else you like. The fruits of your labor (pun intended) will be worth it!
5 Facts About The Kisan Leader - Charan Singh
His family's finances were a struggle
Charan Singh came from a peasant family, which helped him relate to the plight of farmers after he became the prime minister of India.
A remarkable feat
In a country like India where landlords monopolize the agricultural sector, Singh’s budget plan during his tenure focused on fulfilling the demands of farmers and uniting them against the powerful proprietors.
A step further
Further challenging the landlords or “zamindars”, Singh passed the Zamindari Abolition Act.
Champion of farmers
His continuous fight for the rights and a better quality of life for the Indian farmer made him a hero in agrarian communities across the country, particularly in his own state of Uttar Pradesh.
The pen is mightier than the shovel
Singh was also quite an expressive writer and would frequently pen his thoughts on possible solutions to farmers’ problems.
Why We Love Kisan Diwas
We love a good success story
The extraordinary stories of leaders like Charan Singh are always a marvel. How he was able to work his way up from a farmer to the prime minister’s seat is truly inspiring and definitely worth celebrating.
The domino effect
The great work of farmers challenges the general assumption that only high authority leaders have the most important role in a system. Though farmers lead simple lives, their hard work generates employment, creates export, and makes India the great country it is today.
Giving back to the farmers
Seeing as how their output is unparalleled, we love that this day is dedicated to farmers so that the citizens of the nation appreciate their important contributions and help farmers in their plight.
Kisan Diwas dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | December 23 | Monday |
| 2025 | December 23 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | December 23 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | December 23 | Thursday |
| 2028 | December 23 | Saturday |
Log In With Google 