NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Thousands of miles away from Washington, where the upcoming funeral of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is scheduled for next week, an Indian village named after the late president fondly recalls his visit nearly 50 years ago, paying tribute. A one-term president from 1977, Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, is set to receive a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.
Located about 20 miles (32 km) outside Delhi, “Carterpuri,” or the “Village of Carter,” was formerly known as Daulatpur Nasirabad when Carter’s mother, Lillian, briefly resided and worked there as a nurse and volunteer in the 1960s. Villagers in Carterpuri warmly welcomed Carter during his visit, with one resident, Moti Ram, reminiscing about how they dressed his wife in traditional attire and how Carter even tried out a hookah as he strolled through the village alongside his wife, Rosalynn.
Months of preparations preceded the visit on January 3, 1978, as recounted by some villagers to news agency ANI, in which Reuters has a minority stake. The village was spruced up, and welcome ceremonies were organized in the main square to honor the former president and his wife. The impact of the Carters’ visit was so significant that the villagers decided to change the name of their village in his honor.
Upon hearing of Carter’s passing, the residents of Carterpuri paid their respects by placing garlands around a framed picture of the late president and offering flowers before it, as reported by the media. U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, acknowledged the village in a post on X following Carter’s death, highlighting it as a “testament to the high regard in which he was held here in India.” Garcetti shared a photo from the visit showing Rosalynn, dressed in traditional attire, sharing a laugh with Carter, surrounded by a crowd of villagers.
Among the village’s most treasured possessions is a letter sent by Carter post-visit, expressing gratitude to the residents for their contributions in making the event “successful and so personally satisfying,” along with various photographs capturing the memorable occasion.
