Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tribute to social activists Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan and Nanaji Deshmukh on their birth anniversaries.

"I salute the venerable Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. "On his birth anniversary, my tributes to the great Nanaji Deshmukh," the PM said in his tweet.

Talking about Emergency, PM said, "Emergency did a lot of damage to nation, it was an attack on India's democratic tradition. We need not cry while remembering Emergency. Let's talk about how the anti-Emergency movement strengthened democracy. Leadership born during Emergency was not one for TV screens. It was a leadership to live and die for the nation."

He further said, "I bow to the great Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary. We remember Nanaji as a paragon of simplicity, dedication & service. His exceptional organisational skills & contribution to society are great inspiration for us."