Jayaprakash Narayan was an Indian independence activist and political leader. Popularly referred to as JP or Lok Nayak (“The People's Hero”), he actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement against British rule in India, for which he was imprisoned. Born in Bihar during British rule, Narayan grew up inspired by the courage and valor of Indian freedom fighters. A brilliant student, he moved to the United States for higher studies, where he faced financial hardships that deepened his understanding of the struggles faced by the working class. His exposure to Karl Marx's Das Kapital convinced him that Marxism offered a solution to alleviate the suffering of the masses. Upon returning to India, he became a staunch Marxist and joined the Indian National Congress at the invitation of Jawaharlal Nehru. He zealously participated in India’s struggle for freedom, becoming an important figure in the independence movement. Post-1947, he remained a prominent figure in Indian politics and gained widespread recognition during the 1960s. In the 1970s, Narayan played a pivotal role in the Bihar Movement, a popular people's movement aimed at addressing widespread corruption and governance issues. Despite his advancing age, his leadership inspired mass protests that challenged the political establishment of the time. For his exceptional contributions to the nation, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1999.