Mon Dec 30 16:03:13 UTC 2024: ## Haryana Village Mourns Jimmy Carter: A 46-Year-Old Bond
**New Delhi, December 30, 2024** – The residents of Carterpuri, Haryana, are mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose 1978 visit profoundly impacted their lives. The village, originally named Daulatpur-Nasirabad, was renamed in Carter’s honor after his visit.
For nearly five decades, January 3rd, the date of Carter’s visit, has been a village holiday, marking a unique connection between a small Indian village and a former American president. Villagers celebrated significant milestones in Carter’s life, including his Nobel Peace Prize win. Now, they are commemorating his passing with tributes at a village chowk featuring a signed photograph of Carter adorned with marigolds.
Elderly villagers, many of whom personally met Carter, are preserving the memory of this historic visit. Atar Singh, 71, whose brother meticulously documented the event, vows to continue this legacy. Other residents shared vivid memories of the visit, including the massive security presence, Carter’s unassuming demeanor, and the gifts exchanged – a pair of locally made shoes, a dupatta, and a sandalwood carving.
The villagers remember Carter’s mother’s visit as a Peace Corps volunteer and how Carter’s office maintained correspondence with Carterpuri for years afterward. The visit, they say, elevated their village’s status and created a lasting bond that transcends geographical boundaries. The villagers hope the gifts they gave the Carters are preserved as carefully as the memory of his visit remains in their hearts.
First Piper 