Former US President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday night, had a special bond with India. One village in Haryana, where he visited, was even named after him – ‘Carterpuri’.
On January 3, 1978, Jimmy Carter, accompanied by his wife Rosalynn Carter, visited Daulatpur Nasirabad, a village in Haryana located an hour away from Delhi. The visit was so impactful that the villagers decided to rename the area ‘Carterpuri’ in honor of the President. They maintained contact with the White House throughout Carter’s presidency, and January 3 was declared a holiday in Carterpuri ever since.
In 2002, when Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the villagers of Carterpuri celebrated his honor with grand festivities. This gesture highlighted the deep connection and admiration the villagers had for the former US President.
During his visit to India, just a year after the Emergency was lifted and the Janata Party came into power, Jimmy Carter addressed the parliament and spoke out against authoritarian rule. He emphasized the importance of democratic values in dealing with social and economic challenges.
Jimmy Carter also had a personal connection with India through his mother, Lillian, who had served as a health volunteer with the Peace Corps in the late 1960s. Since his administration, the US and India have collaborated on various fronts including energy, technology, space cooperation, and disaster relief. The two countries signed a significant agreement for civil nuclear cooperation in the mid-2000s, leading to a substantial increase in bilateral trade.
Jimmy Carter’s passing at the age of 100 was mourned by many, including US President Joe Biden, who declared January 9 as a national day of mourning in honor of the former President. Carter’s son, Chip, described him as a hero to those who believe in peace, human rights, and altruistic love.
Carter passed away peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, the same town where he was born and once operated a peanut farm before entering politics. His legacy as a champion of peace and humanitarian values will continue to inspire future generations.
