India (Commonwealth Union)_ Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday night, marking the end of an extraordinary life of service and humanitarian efforts. While Carter’s legacy is etched in various global spheres, one unique connection stands out: a village in Haryana, India, known as Carterpuri, which was renamed in his honor. In 1978, Jimmy Carter, accompanied by his wife Rosalynn, visited the village of Daulatpur Nasirabad, located about an hour southwest of Delhi. At the time, India was undergoing significant political change, having just emerged from the Emergency period that ended in 1977. Carter’s visit came just a year after the Janata Party came to power, and it had a profound impact on the people of the village.
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The visit was part of Carter’s broader efforts to strengthen the relationship between India and the United States. However, it was also tied to a personal connection. Carter’s mother, Lillian, had worked as a health volunteer in India during the late 1960s with the Peace Corps, which further deepened the bond between the Carter family and the local community. This connection made Carter’s visit even more significant to the villagers of Daulatpur Nasirabad. As reported by the Carter Center, the visit was so successful and impactful that the residents of the village decided to rename it in honor of the visiting US president. The village officially renamed itself ‘Carterpuri’ in honor of Jimmy Carter, symbolizing the village’s enduring goodwill and admiration for the American leader. The renaming was not just a ceremonial gesture but also reflected the deep connection Carter had established with the people of India, a bond that extended beyond his presidency.
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The trip was significant for both Carter and India. It helped lay the groundwork for the broader relationship between the US and India, which has evolved over the decades. Since Carter’s administration, the two nations have worked together in various fields, including energy, humanitarian aid, technology, space exploration, maritime security, disaster relief, and counterterrorism. A pivotal moment in this growing partnership came in the mid-2000s when the US and India signed a historic civil nuclear cooperation agreement. This agreement not only strengthened their ties but also led to a substantial increase in bilateral trade. The Carter Center, founded by the former president, highlighted how Carter’s visit to India left a lasting impression on the village. It noted that Carterpuri residents remained in contact with the White House throughout his presidency.
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Even years later, the village continued to celebrate Carter’s achievements. When he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, festivities took place in Carterpuri, and the anniversary of his visit, January 3, is celebrated as a holiday in the village to this day. Additionally, the villagers also expressed their condolences and mourned for the US leader following his demise. Furthermore, Carter’s visit to India in 1978 was also marked by his address to the Indian Parliament, where he spoke passionately about the importance of democracy. In his speech, Carter emphasized that democratic nations of the world must unite to address the challenges posed by political and economic strains. He said, “For the rest of this century and into the next, the democratic countries of the world will increasingly turn to each other for answers to our most pressing, common challenge: how our political and spiritual values can provide the basis for dealing with the social and economic strains to which they will unquestionably be subjected.”
As the world mourns the passing of Jimmy Carter, the legacy of his work, particularly in promoting peace and human rights, continues to resonate globally. Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, passed away peacefully in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. His son, Chip Carter, described his father as a hero not just to him but to everyone who values peace, human rights, and selfless love. US President Joe Biden offered his condolences, declaring January 9 as a day of national mourning to honor Carter’s remarkable life. Carter’s death marks the end of a century-long life that touched countless lives, including those in the village of Carterpuri, where his name and legacy will endure for generations to come.
