How Jimmy Carter’s 1978 Visit Led To The Naming Of Haryana’s Carterpuri

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, has passed away at the age of 100 in Georgia. Carter, the longest-lived US president in history, died on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of political and humanitarian contributions.

During his presidency, Carter made a historic visit to India on January 3, 1978, becoming the third US president to do so. He and then First Lady Rosalynn Carter travelled to Daulatpur Nasirabad, a village about an hour southwest of New Delhi. This visit was special, as Carter's mother, Lillian, had worked as a health volunteer with the Peace Corps in India during the 1960s, according to a Hindustan Times report.

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Carter's visit to India made a lasting impression. The residents of Daulatpur Nasirabad were so moved by his visit that they renamed their village "Carterpuri" in his honour. The village continued to maintain a connection with the White House throughout Carter's presidency. In 2002, when Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize, celebrations were held in Carterpuri, and January 3 is still celebrated as a holiday there.

The Carter Centre highlighted that the visit marked the beginning of a strong partnership between the US and India, with both countries working closely on energy, technology, space cooperation, and more. Carter believed in the shared democratic values of both nations, which laid the foundation for a growing relationship.

Carter's legacy also includes his efforts to ensure that moral values guided the actions of states. As he said in 1978, "the moral values of the people must also guide the actions of the states." His visit to India and the subsequent strengthening of ties between the two nations remain a significant chapter in both countries' histories.