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Presidents of India

ContentsArticles

List of Presidents of India 1Rajendra Prasad 6Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 11Zakir Hussain (politician) 17V. V. Giri 20Mohammad Hidayatullah 23Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed 27Basappa Danappa Jatti 29Neelam Sanjiva Reddy 32Zail Singh 35R. Venkataraman 38Shankar Dayal Sharma 43K. R. Narayanan 46A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 63Pratibha Patil 74Pranab Mukherjee 80

ReferencesArticle Sources and Contributors 91Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 94

Article LicensesLicense 95

List of Presidents of India 1

List of Presidents of India

The Main Gate of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President ofIndia

The President of India is the head of stateand first citizen of India. The President isalso the Commander-in-Chief of the armedforces of India.[1] Although the president isvested such powers by the constitution ofIndia, the position is largely a ceremonialrole and the executive powers are de factoexercised by the Cabinet Ministers andPrime Minister.[2] The post of President isknown in Hindi as Rashtrapati, a Sanskritneologism meaning "lord of the realm". ThePresident is elected by an electoral collegecomposed of elected members of theparliament houses, Lok Sabha and RajyaSabha, and also members of the VidhanSabha, the state legislative assemblies.[1]

There have been 12 Presidents of India since the introduction of the post in 1950. The post was established whenIndia was declared as a republic with the adoption of the Indian constitution.[3] Apart from these twelve, three actingpresidents have also been in office for short periods of time. Varahagiri Venkata Giri became Acting President ofIndia in 1969 following the death of Zakir Hussain, who died in office. Giri was elected President a few monthslater. He remains the only person to have held office both as a president and acting president. The President mayremain in office for a tenure of five years, as stated by article 56, part V, of the constitution of India. In the casewhere a president's term of office is terminated early or during the absence of the president, the vice presidentassumes office. By article 70 of part V, the parliament may decide how to discharge the functions of the presidentwhere this is not possible, or in any other unexpected contingency.[1] Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, isthe only person to have held office for two terms.[4]

Seven presidents have been members of a political party before being elected. Six of these were active partymembers of the Indian National Congress. The Janata Party has had one member, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, who laterbecame president. Two presidents, Zakir Hussain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, have died in office. Theirvice-presidents functioned as acting president until a new president was elected. Following Hussain's death, twoacting presidents held office until the new president, Varahagiri Venkata Giri, was elected. Varahagiri Venkata Girihimself, Hussain's vice president, was the first acting president. When Giri resigned to take part in the presidentialelections, he was superseded by Muhammad Hidayatullah as acting president.[5] The current President is PranabMukherjee elected on 25th July 2012. Mukherjee held various posts in the cabinet ministry for the Government ofIndia such as Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, Defence Minister and Deputy Chairperson of the PlanningCommission. He originally comes from West Bengal.The ex- president, Pratibha Patil, who was in office till 25thJuly 2012, was elected as the 12th President of India in 2007. She is also the first woman to serve as President ofIndia.[6]

List of Presidents of India 2

PresidentsThis list is numbered based on Presidents elected after winning an Indian Presidential election. The terms ofVarahagiri Venkata Giri, Muhammad Hidayatullah, and Basappa Danappa Jatti, who have functioned as actingpresidents, are therefore not numbered. The President of India does not represent any political party, and the Politicalparty column below indicates the party (if any) that the president was a member of before being elected. The coloursused in the table indicate the following:• The symbol (*) with a light brown background indicates an Acting President of India.

# Name Portrait Tookoffice

Leftoffice

Vice President Notes

1 Rajendra Prasad(1884–1963)

26January

1950

13 May1962

SarvepalliRadhakrishnan

1952 election page & 1957 election pagePrasad was the first President of independent India fromBihar.[7][8] He was also an independence activist of the IndianIndependence Movement.[9] Prasad was the only president to servefor two terms in office.[4]

2 SarvepalliRadhakrishnan(1888–1975)

13 May1962

13 May1967

Zakir Hussain 1962 election pageRadhakrishnan was a prominent philosopher, writer, a Knight of theRealm and also held the position of vice chancellor of the AndhraUniversity and Banaras Hindu University.[10] He was also made aKnight of the Golden Army of Angels by Pope Paul VI.[11]

3 Zakir Hussain(1897–1969)

13 May1967

3 May1969

VarahagiriVenkata Giri

1967 election pageHussain was vice chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University anda recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna.[12] He diedbefore his term of office was ended.

VarahagiriVenkata Giri *(1894–1980)

3 May1969

20 July1969

Giri was appointed as Acting President of India following the deathof Hussain.[13] He resigned in a few months to take part in thepresidential elections.[5]

MuhammadHidayatullah *(1905–1992)

20 July1969

24August1969

Hidayatullah served as the Chief Justice of India, and was arecipient of the Order of the British Empire.[14] He served asActing President of India until the election of Giri as the Presidentof India.

4 VarahagiriVenkata Giri(1894–1980)

24August1969

24August1974

Gopal SwarupPathak

1969 election pageGiri is the only person to have served as both an acting presidentand president of India. He was a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, andhas functioned as Indian Minister of Labour and HighCommissioner to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).[15]

5 Fakhruddin AliAhmed

(1905–1977)

24August1974

11February

1977

BasappaDanappa Jatti

1974 election pageFakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as a Minister before being elected aspresident. He died in 1977 before his term of office ended, and wasthe second Indian president to have died during a term of office.[16]

BasappaDanappa Jatti *(1912–2002)

11February

1977

25 July1977

Jatti was the vice president of India during Ahmed's term of office,and was sworn in as Acting President of India upon Ahmed's death.He earlier functioned as the Chief Minister for the State ofMysore.[16][17]

List of Presidents of India 3

6 Neelam SanjivaReddy

(1913–1996)

25 July1977

25 July1982

MuhammadHidayatullah

1977 election pageN.S.Reddy was the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh State.Reddy was the only Member of Parliament from the Janata Party toget elected from Andhra Pradesh.[18] He was unanimously electedSpeaker of the Lok Sabha on 26 March 1977 and relinquished thisoffice on 13 July 1977 to become the 6th President of India.

7 Giani ZailSingh

(1916–1994)

25 July1982

25 July1987

RamaswamyVenkataraman

1982 election pageIn March 1972, Singh assumed the position of chief Minister ofPunjab, and in 1980, he became Union Home Minister.[19]

8 RamaswamyVenkataraman(1910–2009)

25 July1987

25 July1992

Shankar DayalSharma

1987 election pageIn 1942, Venkataraman was jailed by the British for hisinvolvement in the India's independence movement.[20] After hisrelease, he was elected to independent India’s ProvisionalParliament as a member of the Congress Party in 1950 andeventually joined the central government, where he first served asMinister of Finance and Industry and later as Minister ofDefence.[21]

9 Shankar DayalSharma

(1918–1999)

25 July1992

25 July1997

Kocheril RamanNarayanan

1992 election pageSharma was Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and the IndianMinister for Communications. He has also served as the governor ofAndhra Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra.[22]

10 Kocheril RamanNarayanan

(1920–2005)

25 July1997

25 July2002

Krishan Kant 1997 election pageNarayanan served as India's ambassador to Thailand, Turkey, Chinaand United States of America. He received doctorates in Scienceand Law and was also a chancellor in several universities.[23] Hewas also the vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University.[24]

11 A. P. J. AbdulKalam

(1931– )

25 July2002

25 July2007

Bhairon SinghShekhawat

2002 election pageKalam, is a scientist who played a leading role in the developmentof India's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.[25] Healso received the Bharat Ratna. Kalam was affectionately known asthe People's President.[26][27][28]

12 Pratibha Patil(1934– )

25 July2007

25 July2012

MohammadHamid Ansari

2007 election pagePatil is the first woman to become the President of India. She wasalso the first female Governor of Rajasthan.[29][30]

13 PranabMukherjee(1935– )

25 July2012

Elect MohammadHamid Ansari

2012 election pageMukherjee held various posts in the cabinet ministry for theGovernment of India such as Finance Minister, Foreign Minister,Defence Minister and Deputy Chairperson of the PlanningCommission.

List of Presidents of India 4

ReferencesGeneral• "Former Presidents" [31]. President’s Secretariat. Retrieved 29 November 2008.• "List of Presidents/Vice Presidents" [32]. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 29 November 2008.Specific[1] "The Constitution of India" (http:/ / lawmin. nic. in/ legislative/ Art1-242 (1-88). doc) (.doc). Ministry of Law and Justice of India. . Retrieved

4 January 2009.[2] "India gets first woman president since independence" (http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ worldservice/ learningenglish/ newsenglish/ witn/ 2007/ 07/

070725_india_president. shtml). BBC News. 25 July 2007. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.[3] "1950: India becomes a republic" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ onthisday/ hi/ dates/ stories/ january/ 26/ newsid_3475000/ 3475569. stm). BBC

News. 26 January 1950. . Retrieved 6 January 2009.[4] Harish Khare (6 December 2006). "Selecting the next Rashtrapati" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2006/ 12/ 06/ stories/ 2006120603561000.

htm). The Hindu. India. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.[5] Shekhar Iyer (25 June 2007). "Shekhawat will not resign to contest poll" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ StoryPage/ StoryPage.

aspx?sectionName=& id=2ee3bdc7-6ec2-409a-a4d5-48294361d566& MatchID1=4875& TeamID1=1& TeamID2=3& MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1229& PrimaryID=4875& Headline=Shekhawat+ will+ not+ resign+ to+ contest+ poll). Hindustan Times. India. . Retrieved 4January 2009.

[6] "First female president for India" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ south_asia/ 6909979. stm). BBC News. 21 July 2007. . Retrieved 4December 2008.

[7] "Dr. Rajendra Prasad" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ 2002/ 05/ 07/ stories/ 2002050700690800. htm). The Hindu. India. 7 May 1952. .Retrieved 30 November 2008.

[8] "Republic Day" (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,811816,00. html). Time. 6 February 1950. . Retrieved 30 November2008.

[9] "Rajendra Prasad's birth anniversary celebrated" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2006/ 12/ 10/ stories/ 2006121013240200. htm). The Hindu.India. 10 December 2006. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.

[10] Ramachandra Guha (15 April 2006). "Why Amartya Sen should become the next president of India" (http:/ / www. telegraphindia. com/1060415/ asp/ opinion/ story_6099278. asp). The Telegraph. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.

[11] "Dr S. Radhakrishnan" (http:/ / www. tribuneindia. com/ 2000/ 20000130/ spectrum/ main2. htm). The Sunday Tribune. 30 January 2000. .Retrieved 30 November 2008.

[12] "Zakir Husain, Dr." (http:/ / vicepresidentofindia. nic. in/ zakir. asp). Vice President's Secretariat. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.[13] "Shekhawat need not compare himself to Giri: Shashi Bhushan" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2007/ 07/ 12/ stories/ 2007071260671200. htm).

The Hindu. India. 12 July 2007. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.[14] "Hidayatullah, Shri M" (http:/ / vicepresidentofindia. nic. in/ hiday. asp). Vice President's Secretariat. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.[15] "Giri, Shri Varahagiri Venkata" (http:/ / vicepresidentofindia. nic. in/ giri. asp). Vice President's Secretariat. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.[16] "Gallery of Indian Presidents" (http:/ / pib. nic. in/ archieve/ others/ gal. html). Press Information Bureau of the Government of India. .

Retrieved 30 November 2008.[17] "Jatti, Shri Basappa Danappa" (http:/ / vicepresidentofindia. nic. in/ jati. asp). Vice President's Secretariat. . Retrieved 30 November 2008.[18] Bhargava, G.S.. "Making of the Prez – Congress chief selects PM as well as President" (http:/ / www. tribuneindia. com/ 2007/ 20070730/

edit. htm). The Tribune (India). . Retrieved 6 January 2009.[19] Wolpert, Stanley A. (1999). India (http:/ / books. google. lk/ books?id=nHnOERqf-MQC& pg=PA217& lpg=PA217& dq="Giani+ Zail+

Singh"+ punjabi& ct=result#PPA217,M1). University of California Press. p. 217. . Retrieved 3 January 2009.[20] Hazarika, Sanjoy (17 July 1987). "Man In The News; India's Mild New President: Ramaswamy Venkataraman" (http:/ / query. nytimes.

com/ gst/ fullpage. html?res=9B0DEEDD1239F934A25754C0A961948260& n=Top/ News/ World/ Countries and Territories/ India). TheNew York Times. . Retrieved 6 January 2009.

[21] "Venkataraman, Shri R." (http:/ / vicepresidentofindia. nic. in/ venkat. asp). Vice President's Secretariat. . Retrieved 6 January 2009.[22] Navtej Sarna (27 December 1999). "Former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma passes away" (http:/ / www. indianembassy. org/ pic/

PR_1999/ December_99/ PR_Dec_27(1)_1999. html). Embassy of India, Washington D.C.. . Retrieved 6 December 2008.[23] "Narayanan, Shri K, R" (http:/ / vicepresidentofindia. nic. in/ krn. asp). Vice President's Secretariat. . Retrieved 6 December 2008.[24] "The BJP's aim was to get rid of me" (http:/ / www. nuke. humanrightskerala. com/ modules. php?op=modload& name=News&

file=article& sid=5097). Confederation of Human Rights Organizations. . Retrieved 6 January 2009.[25] Ramana, M. V.; Reddy, C. Rammanohar (2002). Prisoners of the Nuclear Dream (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=IjZA-bQde1wC&

pg=RA1-PA169& dq="Abdul+ Kalam"+ ""Pokhran-II"). New Delhi: Orient Longman. p. 169. .[26] Tyagi, Kavita; Misra, Padma. Basic Technical Communication (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=N3ixJ62qwqcC& pg=PA124). PHI

Learning Pvt. Ltd.. p. 124. ISBN 978-81-203-4238-5. . Retrieved 2 May 2012.[27] "'Kalam was real people's President'" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ StoryPage/ FullcoverageStoryPage.

aspx?id=d1dfada8-d9b3-4783-ad6a-44f56165dd9fWho will be India's next President_Special). Hindustan Times. Indo-Asian News Service.24 July 2007. . Retrieved 2 May 2012.

List of Presidents of India 5

[28] Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (14 April 2007). "The people's President does it again" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2007/ 04/ 14/ stories/2007041411130100. htm). The Hindu (Chennai, India). . Retrieved 2 May 2012.

[29] Emily Wax (22 July 2007). "Female President Elected in India" (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 07/ 21/AR2007072100525. html). The Washington Post. . Retrieved 2 December 2008.

[30] "Pratibha Patil is Rajasthan’s first woman governor" (http:/ / www. expressindia. com/ news/ fullstory. php?newsid=38190). Express India. 8November 2008. . Retrieved 6 December 2008.

[31] http:/ / presidentofindia. nic. in/ formerpresidents. html[32] http:/ / www. eci. gov. in/ miscellaneous_statistics/ presidents_1952. asp

External links• Official website of the President of India (http:/ / presidentofindia. nic. in/ )• Rediff.com – Presidents of India (http:/ / im. rediff. com/ news/ 2007/ jul/ 25kbk. gif)• The Hindu – A presidential poll in the coalition age (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2007/ 07/ 18/ stories/

2007071855791100. htm)• Zee News: Former Presidents (http:/ / www. zeenews. com/ news383392. html)

Rajendra Prasad 6

Rajendra Prasad

Rajendra Prasad

1st President of India

In office26 January 1950 – 13 May 1962

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Preceded by Position Established

Succeeded by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Personal details

Born 3 December 1884Ziradei, Bihar, India

Died 28 February 1963 (aged 78) Patna, Bihar

Political party Indian National Congress

Spouse(s) Rajvanshi Devi

Alma mater University of Calcutta

Rajendra Prasad (pronunciation; 3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician and educator. Hewas one of the architects of the Indian Republic, having served as the president of the Constituent Assembly andlater as the first president of independent India. Prasad is the only president to have been elected twice for theoffice.[1]

During the independence movement, he left his practice of law and joined the Congress Party, playing a prominentrole in the Indian Independence Movement. Before serving as the president of the Constituent Assembly that draftedthe constitution, he had served as Minister of Food and Agriculture in the year 1946 in the Interim nationalGovernment.

Rajendra Prasad 7

Early lifeRajendra Prasad was born in Zeradei, in the Siwan district of Bihar near CHHAPRA. His father Mahadev Sahai, wasa scholar of both the Persian and Sanskrit languages, while his mother, Kamleshwari Devi, was a religious womanwho would tell stories from the Ramayana to her son.[2]

Student lifeWhen Prasad was five years old, his parents placed him under the tutelage of a Moulavi, an accomplished Muslimscholar, to learn the Persian language, Hindi and arithmetic. After the completion of traditional elementaryeducation, Prasad was sent to the Chapra District School and at a small age of 12, he was married to RajavanshiDevi. He, along with his elder brother Mahendra Prasad, then went to study at T.K. Ghosh's Academy in Patna for aperiod of two years.He secured first in the entrance examination to the University of Calcutta and was awardedRs.30 per month as a scholarship. He joined the Presidency College, Kolkata in 1902, initially as a science student.He passed Intermediate level classes then called as F. A. under the University of Calcutta in March 1904. Later hedecided to focus on the arts and did his M.A. in Economics with first division from the University of Calcutta inDecember 1907. There he lived with his brother in the Eden Hindu Hostel. A devoted student as well as a publicactivist, he was an active member of The Dawn Society.[3] It was due to his sense of duty towards his family andeducation that he refused to join Servants of India Society. Rajendra Prasad was instrumental [4] in the formation ofthe Bihari Students Conference in 1906 in the hall of the Patna College.It was the first organization of its kind inIndia and produced some of the eminent leaders of Bihar like Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha and Sri Krishna Sinha.

Career

As a teacherRajendra Prasad served in various educational institutions as a teacher. After completing his MA in economics, hebecame a professor of English at the Langat Singh College in Muzaffarpur, Bihar and went on to become theprincipal. However later on he left the college for his legal studies. In 1909, while pursuing his law studies inKolkata he also worked as Professor of Economics at Calcutta City College. In 1915, Prasad appeared in theexamination of Masters in Law, passed the examination and won a gold medal. He then completed his Doctorate inLaw.

Rajendra Prasad 8

As a lawyerIn the year 1916, he joined the High Court of Bihar and Orissa. Later in the year 1917, he was appointed as one ofthe first members of the Senate and Syndicate of the Patna University. He also used to practice law at Bhagalpur, thefamous silk-town of Bihar.Bhagalpur is located in the southern region of Bihar. It is one of the oldest districts ofBihar.and is situated in the Ganga basin at 141 ft above the sea level.

Role in the Independence Movement

(Sitting L to R)Rajendra Prasad and AnugrahNarayan Sinha during Mahatama Gandhi's 1917

Champaran Satyagraha

Prasad had formally joined the Indian National Congress way back inthe year 1911. During the Lucknow Session of Indian NationalCongress held in 1916, he met Mahatma Gandhi. During one of thefact-finding missions at Champaran, Mahatma Gandhi asked him tocome with his volunteers. He was so greatly moved by the dedication,courage, and conviction of Mahatma Gandhi that as soon as themotion of Non-Cooperation was passed by Indian National Congressin 1920, he retired his lucrative career of lawyer as well as his dutiesin the university to aid the movement.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhulabhai Desai, and RajendraPrasad (Center) at the AICC Session, April 1939

He also responded to the call by Gandhi to boycott Westerneducational establishments by asking his son, Mrityunjaya Prasad, todrop out of his studies and enroll himself in Bihar Vidyapeeth, aninstitution he along with his colleagues founded on the traditionalIndian model.[5]

During the course of the independent movement, he interacted with DrRahul Sankrityayan, a writer, and polymath. Rahul Sankrityayan wasgreatly influenced by Prasad's intellectual prowess, finding him to be aguide and guru. In many of his articles he mentioned about his meetingwith Sankrityayan and narrated about their him. He wrote articles forthe revolutionary publications Searchlight and the Desh and collectedfunds for these papers. He toured widely, explaining, lecturing, andexhorting the principles of the independence movement.

He took an active role in helping the affected people during the 1914floods that struck Bihar and Bengal. When an earthquake affected Bihar on 15 January 1934, Prasad was in jail.

During that period, he passed on the relief work to his close colleague Anugrah Narayan Sinha.[6] He was released two days later and set up Bihar Central Relief Committee on 17 January 1934, and took the task of raising funds to

Rajendra Prasad 9

help the people himself. During the May 31, 1935 Quetta earthquake, when he was forbidden to leave the countrydue to government's order he set up Quetta Central Relief Committee in Sindh and Punjab under his ownpresidentship.He was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress during the Bombay session in October 1934. Heagain became the president when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose resigned in 1939. On 8 August 1942, Congresspassed the Quit India Resolution in Bombay which led to the arrest of many Indian leaders. He was arrested fromSadaqat Ashram, Patna and sent to Bankipur Jail. After remaining incarcerated for nearly three years, he wasreleased on 15 June 1945.After the formation of Interim Government of 12 nominated ministers under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru onSep 2 1946, he got the Food and Agriculture department. Later, he was elected the President of ConstituentAssembly on 11 December 1946. Again on 17 November 1947 he became Congress President for a third time afterJivatram Kripalani submitted resignation. Two and a half years after independence, on January 26, 1950, theConstitution of independent India was ratified and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected the nation's first President.Heserved as the President of constituent assembly.Prasad acted independently of politics, following the expected role of the president as per the constitution. Followingthe tussle over the enactment of the Hindu Code Bill, he took a more active role in state affairs. In 1962, after servingtwelve years as the president, he announced his decision to retire. After relinquishing the office of the President ofIndia on May 1962, he returned to Patna on 14 May 1962 and preferred to stay in the campus of Bihar Vidyapeeth.[7]

He was subsequently awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award.He died on 28 February 1963.[8]

Literary contributions•• Satyagraha at Champaran (1922)•• India Divided (1946)•• Atmakatha (1946), his autobiography written during his 3-year prison term in Bankipur Jail•• Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminisences" (1949)•• Bapu ke Kadmon Mein (1954)•• Since Independence (published in 1960)

References[1] "The President of India: Former Presidents" (http:/ / presidentofindia. nic. in/ formerpresidents. html). President's Secretariat. National

Informatics Centre. . Retrieved June 30, 2012.[2] Presidents of India, 1950-2003 - Janak Raj Jai - Google Books (http:/ / books. google. co. in/ books?id=r2C2InxI0xAC& pg=PA1&

dq=rajendra+ prasad& hl=en& ei=cPqZTY3tKpHprQf_69X9Cw& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=1&ved=0CDUQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage& q& f=false)

[3] राजेंद्र बाबू: पत्रों के आईने में - Rajendra Prasad, Tara Sinha - Google Books (http:/ / books. google. co. in/ books?id=XsynRkUMJT4C&printsec=frontcover& dq=rajendra+ prasad& hl=en& ei=1KKZTYa8PIL5cbrtmJIH& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=8&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBzgU#v=onepage& q& f=false)

[4] Rajendra Prasad:First President of India, "INDIA TODAY" (http:/ / indiatoday. intoday. in/ story/ rajendra-prasad-first-president-of-india/ 1/203958. html)

[5] Atul Sethi, "Distant dads?" The Times of India (Aug 12 2007) (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ Deep_Focus/ Distant_dads/ articleshow/2274611. cms)

[6] Kamat. "Great freedom Fighters" (http:/ / www. kamat. com/ kalranga/ freedom/ congress/ c127. htm). Kamat's archive. . Retrieved2006-02-25.

[7] About Rajendra Smriti Sanghralaya, Sadakat Ashram, Patna, Bihar, India (http:/ / rss. bih. nic. in/ rss_about. htm)[8] http:/ / www. indianpoliticians. com/ profile/ 1/ Indian Politicians Biography

Rajendra Prasad 10

Further reading• Rajendra Prasad, first President of India, by Kewalram Lalchand Panjabi. Published by Macmillan, 1960.• Rajendra Prasad: twelve years of triumph and despair, by Rajendra Lal Handa. Published by Sterling Publishers,

1979.• Dr Rajendra Prasad, Correspondence and Select Documents, by Rajendra Prasad, Valmiki Choudhary. Published

by Allied Publishers, 1984. ISBN 81-7023-002-0. Excerpts (http:/ / books. google. co. in/books?id=Vx5xI8MOeO0C& printsec=frontcover& dq=Dr+ Rajendra+ Prasad) (Vol. 1-Vol. 10)

• Dr Rajendra Prasad by India Parliament. Lok Sabha. Published by Lok Sabha Secretariat, 1990.• Rajendra Prasad and the Indian freedom struggle, 1917-1947, by Nirmal Kumar. Published by Patriot Publishers,

1991. ISBN 81-7050-128-8.• Dr Rajendra Prasad: Political Thinkers Of Modern India, by V. Grover. Published by Deep & Deep Publications,

1993.• First Citizens of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad to Dr Shanker Dayal Sharma: Profile and Bibliography, by A. B.

Kohli. Published by Reliance Pub. House, 1995. ISBN 81-85972-71-0.

External links• Nation remembers Rajendra Prasad on 125th birth anniversary (http:/ / jaibihar. com/

nation-remembers-rajendra-prasad-on-125th-birth-anniversary/ 14960/ )• Tributes to first president on 124th birth anniversary (http:/ / jaibihar. com/

tributes-to-first-president-on-124th-birth-anniversary/ 1098/ )• Stamp Of Dr.Rajendra Prasad Released By India Post (http:/ / www. collectindianstamps. com/ 2011/ 02/

philatelic-tribute-to-drrajendra-prasad. html)• Works by or about Rajendra Prasad (http:/ / worldcat. org/ identities/ lccn-n50-22518) in libraries (WorldCat

catalog)• (http:/ / rss. bih. nic. in/ rss_about. htm)

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 11

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnanசர்வபள்ளி

ராதாகிருஷ்ணன்సర్వేపల్లి రాధాకృష్ణ BR Kt

OM FBA

President of India

In office13 May 1962 – 13 May 1967

Prime Minister Jawaharlal NehruGulzarilal Nanda (Acting)Lal Bahadur ShastriGulzarilal Nanda (Acting)Indira Gandhi

Vice President Zakir Hussain

Preceded by Rajendra Prasad

Succeeded by Zakir Hussain

Vice President of India

In office13 May 1952 – 12 May 1962

President Rajendra Prasad

Preceded by Position established

Succeeded by Zakir Hussain

Personal details

Born 5 September 1888Thiruttani, Tamil Nadu, India

Died 17 April 1975 (aged 86)Chennai, India

Political party Independent

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 12

Spouse(s) Sivakamu, Lady Radhakrishnan

Children Five daughtersOne son

Alma mater Voorhees CollegeMadras Christian College

Profession PhilosopherProfessor

Religion Hinduism

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan pronunciation (5 September 1888, Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu – 17 April 1975) was anIndian philosopher and statesman who was the President of India from 1962 to 1967[1]. He was the first VicePresident of India (1952–1962).One of India's most influential scholars of comparative religion and philosophy, Radhakrishnan is thought of ashaving built a bridge between the East and the West by showing that the philosophical systems of each tradition arecomprehensible within the terms of the other. He wrote authoritative exegeses of India's religious and philosophicalliterature for the English speaking world. His academic appointments included the King George V Chair of Mentaland Moral Science at the University of Calcutta (1921–1931) and Spalding Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethicsat Oxford University (1936–1952).Dr Radhakrishnan was knighted in 1931 but ceased to use the title "Sir" after India attained independence. [2] Amongthe many other honours he received were the Bharat Ratna (1954) and the Order of Merit (1963). His birthday iscelebrated in India as Teachers' Day on 5 September.

Early life and educationSarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born in a poor Telugu Brahmin family at Tiruttani, a town in then Madras Presidency,British India, now in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu, 84 km to the northwest of Madras (now Chennai). [3] Hisfather's name was Sarvepalli Veeraswami[3] and his mother's name was Sitamma.[3] His early years were spent inTirutani and Tirupati. His father was a subordinate revenue official in the service of a local zamindar (landlord). Hisprimary education was at Primary Board High School at Tirutani. In 1896 he moved to the Hermansburg EvangelicalLutheral Mission School in Tirupati.[4]

Radhakrishnan was awarded scholarships throughout his academic life. He joined Voorhees College in Vellore butswitched to the Madras Christian College at the age of 17. He graduated from there in 1906 with a Master's degree inPhilosophy, being one of its most distinguished alumni.[5] Radhakrishnan wrote his thesis for the M.A. degree on"The Ethics of the Vedanta and its Metaphysical Presuppositions".[6] He was afraid that this M.A. thesis wouldoffend his philosophy professor, Dr. Alfred George Hogg. Instead, Hogg commended Radhakrishnan on doing anexcellent job. Radhakrishnan's M.A. thesis was published when he was only 20.Radhakrishnan studied philosophy by chance rather than by choice. Being a financially constrained student at thetime, when a cousin, after graduating from the same college, passed on his textbooks in philosophy toRadhakrishnan, it automatically decided his academic course.[7][8] Later on he felt deep interest in his subject andwrote many acclaimed works on philosophy, both Eastern and Western.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 13

MarriageRadhakrishnan was married to Sivakamu,[9] a distant cousin, at the age of 16.[10] As per tradition the marriage wasarranged by the family. The couple had five daughters and a son, Sarvepalli Gopal. Sarvepalli Gopal went on to anotable career as a historian. Sivakami died in 1956. They were married for over 51 years.[11]

Career

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan drawn by Bujjai andsigned by Radhakrishnan in Telugu as

"Radhakrishnaiah".

In April 1909,Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was appointed to theDepartment of Philosophy at the Madras Presidency College.Thereafter, in 1918, Radhakrishnan was selected as Professor ofPhilosophy by the University of Mysore. By that time he had writtenmany articles for journals of repute like The Quest, Journal ofPhilosophy and the International Journal of Ethics. He also completedhis first book, The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore. He believedTagore's philosophy to be the "genuine manifestation of the Indianspirit". Radhakrishnan's second book, The Reign of Religion inContemporary Philosophy was published in 1920.

In 1921 he was appointed as a professor in philosophy to occupy theKing George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University ofCalcutta. Radhakrishnan represented the University of Calcutta at theCongress of the Universities of the British Empire in June 1926 and theInternational Congress of Philosophy at Harvard University inSeptember 1926. Another important academic event during this periodwas the invitation to deliver the Hibbert Lecture on the ideals of lifewhich he delivered at Harris Manchester College, Oxford in 1929 andwhich was subsequently published in book form as An Idealist View of Life.

In 1929 Radhakrishnan was invited to take the post vacated by Principal J. Estlin Carpenter at Harris ManchesterCollege. This gave him the opportunity to lecture to the students of the University of Oxford on ComparativeReligion. For his services to education he was knighted by George V in the June 1931 Birthday Honours,[12] andformally invested with his honour by the Governor-General of India, the Earl of Willingdon, in April 1932.[13]

However, he ceased to use the title after Indian independence,[14]:9 preferring instead his academic title of 'Doctor'.He was the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936. In 1936 Radhakrishnan was named SpaldingProfessor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford, and was elected a Fellow of All SoulsCollege. In 1939 Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya invited him to succeed him as the Vice-Chancellor of Banaras HinduUniversity (BHU).[15] He served as its Vice-Chancellor till January 1948.When India became independent in 1947, Radhakrishnan represented India at UNESCO (1946–52) and was laterAmbassador of India to the Soviet Union, from 1949 to 1952. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly ofIndia.Radhakrishnan was elected as the first Vice President of India in 1952.[11] He was elected as the second President ofIndia (1962–1967). When he became President, some of his students and friends requested him to allow them tocelebrate his birthday, 5 September. He replied,

"Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5 September is observed asTeachers' Day."

His birthday has since been celebrated as Teachers' Day in India.[16]

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 14

Along with Ghanshyam Das Birla and some other social workers in the pre-independence era, Radhakrishnanformed the Krishnarpan Charity Trust.

PhilosophyRadhakrishnan stated that Western philosophers, despite all claims to objectivity, were influenced by theologicalinfluences of their own culture.[17] He wrote books on Indian philosophy according to Western academic standards,and made all efforts for the West to give serious consideration to Indian philosophy. In his book An Idealist View ofLife, he made a powerful case for the importance of intuitive thinking as opposed to purely intellectual forms ofthought. He is well known for his commentaries on the Prasthana Trayi namely, the Bhagavadgita, the Upanishadsand the Brahma Sutra.

“It is not God that is worshipped but the authority that claims to speak in His name. Sin becomes disobedience to authority not violation ofintegrity. ”

"Reading a book gives us the habit of solitary reflection and true enjoyment" "When we think we learn we cease toknow" "A literary genius, it is said, resembles all, though no one resembles him."

AwardsRadhakrishnan was appointed a Knight Bachelor in 1931.[12] He was elected Fellow of the British Academy in 1938.He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954[18] and the Order of Merit in 1963. He received the Peace Prize of theGerman Book Trade in 1961 and the Templeton Prize in 1975, a few months before his death. He donated the entireamount of the Templeton Prize to Oxford University. In 1989, the university instituted the RadhakrishnanScholarships in his memory. The scholarships were later renamed the "Radhakrishnan Chevening Scholarships".Radhakrishnan was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature for five consecutive years from 1933–1937,although he did not win. His nominator was Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, father of Dag Hammarskjöld.[19]

CriticismRadhakrishnan is considered one of the nationalist leaders, a group of individuals characterised by having madeextravagant claims on behalf of Hindu culture.[20]

Works by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan• Indian Philosophy [21] (1923) Vol.1, 738 pages. Vol 2, 807 pages. Oxford University Press.• The Hindu View of Life (1926), 92 pages• An Idealist View of Life (1929), 351 pages

• Review: E.A. Burtt (Cornell University), The Philosophical Review, Vol. 44, No. 2, (Mar., 1935), pp. 205–207"Those who have read the author's previous volumes or have heard him speak are accustomed toassociate with him warmth and vigor of style, penetrating flashes of keen analysis, and detailedfamiliarity with past and present philosophies in both east and west. In these respects none will find thebook disappointing."

• Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939), Oxford University Press, 396 pages• Religion and Society (1947), George Allen and Unwin Ltd., London, 242 pages• The Bhagavadgītā: with an introductory essay, Sanskrit text, English translation and notes (1948), 388 pages• The Dhammapada (1950), 194 pages, Oxford University Press• The Principal Upanishads (1953), 958 pages, HarperCollins Publishers Limited• Recovery of Faith (1956), 205 pages

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 15

• A Source Book in Indian Philosophy (1957), 683 pages, Princeton University Press• Review: E.A. Burtt (Cornell University), The Philosophical Review, Vol. 67, No. 3, (July 1958), pp. 411–412

"I believe this is the first time I have written a review when no negative criticism of any kind seemed tome warranted. ... No one interested in Indian thought who does not expect to master the originalmaterials can dispense with this book."

• Religion, Science & Culture [22] (1968), 121 pages

Works on RadhakrishnanSeveral books have been published on Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:• Schilpp, Paul Arthur (1992) [1952, Tudor]. The Philosophy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan [23]. Motilal

Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-0792-8. 52.• Minor, Robert Neil (1987). Radhakrishnan: a religious biography [24]. SUNY Press. ISBN 0-88706-554-6.• Gopal, Sarvepalli (1989). Radhakrishnan: a biography [25]. Unwin Hyman. ISBN 0-04-440449-2.• Pappu, S.S. Rama Rao (1995). New Essays in the Philosophy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Delhi: South Asia

Books. ISBN 978-81-7030-461-6.

References[1] Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: The Philosopher President, Press Information Bureau, Government of India (http:/ / pib. nic. in/ feature/ feyr98/

fe0898/ f2808981. html)[2] The Great Philosophers of India, By Kuttan, Published by Authorhouse (http:/ / books. google. co. in/ books?id=nERVRxj22W0C&

pg=PA169& dq=s+ radhakrishnan+ knighted& hl=en& sa=X& ei=1TcJUOeFHOe5iQeR953lCQ& ved=0CEYQ6AEwAw#v=onepage& q=sradhakrishnan knighted& f=false)

[3] "TeluguOne" (http:/ / www. teluguone. com/ splevents/ general/ index. jsp?filename=srkrishna05. htm). TeluguOne. . Retrieved 2011-08-31.[4] Sarvepalli Gopal: Radhakrishnan; a Biography (1989) p. 11[5] Sarvepalli Gopal: Radhakrishnan; a Biography (1989) p.15[6] Sarvepalli Gopal: Radhakrishnan; a Biography (1989) p.17[7] The Philosophy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1952) p.6[8] Sarvepalli Gopal: Radhakrishnan; a Biography (1989) p.14[9] Radhakrishnan's wife's name is spelled differently in different sources. It is spelled Sivakamu by Sarvepalli Gopal (1989); Sivakamuamma by

Mamta Anand (2006); and still differently by others.[10] Sarvepalli Gopal: Radhakrishnan; a Biography (1989) p. 12[11] TeluguOne (http:/ / www. teluguone. com/ splevents/ general/ index. jsp?filename=srkrishna05. htm)[12] "Viewing Page 3624 of Issue 33722" (http:/ / www. london-gazette. co. uk/ issues/ 33722/ supplements/ 3624). London-gazette.co.uk.

1931-06-02. . Retrieved 2011-08-31.[13] "Viewing Page 2398 of Issue 33816" (http:/ / www. london-gazette. co. uk/ issues/ 33816/ pages/ 2398). London-gazette.co.uk. 1932-04-12.

. Retrieved 2011-08-31.[14] Banerji, Anjan Kumar (1991). Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a centenary tribute (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=bvfWAAAAMAAJ).

Varanasi, India: Banaras Hindu University. . OCLC 28967355. Page 9 states: "In 1931.... He was knighted that year, but ceased to use the titleafter Independence."

[15] Murty, K. Satchidananda; Ashok Vohra (1990). Radhakrishnan: his life and ideas (http:/ / books. google. co. in/books?id=x6FsaptULgAC& pg=PA90& dq=Madan+ Mohan+ Malaviya& cd=20#v=onepage& q=Madan Mohan Malaviya& f=false). SUNYPress. p. 90. ISBN 0-7914-0343-2. .

[16] "Teachers' Day" (http:/ / www. festivalsofindia. in/ id/ td). Festivalsofindia.in. . Retrieved 2011-08-31.[17] Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Charles Moore (eds.), A Source Book in Indian Philosophy, Princeton: Princeton University Press 1989, 610–639[18] "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2007)" (http:/ / www. mha. nic. in/ pdfs/ PadmaAwards1954-2007. pdf). Ministry of Home Affairs. .

Retrieved 26 November 2010.[19] "Nobel Database" (http:/ / nobelprize. org/ nobel_prizes/ literature/ nomination/ nomination. php?key1=candcountry& log1=LIKE&

string1=IN& action=advsearch& log10=OR& key2=candname& log2=LIKE& string2=& log11=OR& key3=candname& log3=LIKE&string3=& startyear=& endyear=& order1=year& order2=nomname& order3=cand1name& submit2. x=7& submit2. y=8). Nobelprize.org. .Retrieved 2011-08-31.

[20] Mazumdar, Sucheta. Kaiwar, Vasant. From Orientalism to Postcolonialism. Routledge 2009, page 36. "....Indian nationalist leaders continued to operate within the categorical field generated by politicized religion.....Extravagant claims were made on behalf of Oriental

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 16

civilization. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's statement - "[t]he Vedanta is not a religion but religion itself in its "most universal and deepestsignificance" - is fairly typical."

[21] http:/ / archive. org/ details/ Sarvepalli. Radhakrishnan. Indian. Philosophy. Volume. 1-2[22] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=vsuCDRLeou8C[23] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=cDdpTcyJtxMC& printsec=frontcover& dq=8120807928& cd=1#v=onepage& q=& f=false[24] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=2LzRkWABC6sC& printsec=frontcover& dq=radhakrishnan& cd=5#v=onepage& q=& f=false[25] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=ryluAAAAMAAJ& q=radhakrishnan& dq=radhakrishnan& cd=7

Anand, Mamta. S. Radhakrishnan His Life and Works. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and Distributors. 2006. Print.

External links• "The Legend of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan" (http:/ / www. sarvepalli. com/ dr-sarvepalli-radhakrishnan)• "Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan- The philosopher president" (http:/ / pib. nic. in/ feature/ feyr98/ fe0898/

f2808981. html), Press Information Bureau, Government of India• "Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888—1975)" (http:/ / www. iep. utm. edu/ radhakri/ ) by Michael Hawley, Internet

Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Zakir Hussain (politician) 17

Zakir Hussain (politician)

Zakir Hussainذاکِر حسین

President of India

In office13 May 1967 – 3 May 1969

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Vice President Varahagiri Venkata Giri

Preceded by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Succeeded by Varahagiri Venkata Giri (Acting)

Vice President of India

In office13 May 1962 – 12 May 1967

President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Preceded by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Succeeded by Varahagiri Venkata Giri

Governor of Bihar

In office6 July 1957 – 11 May 1962

Chief Minister Krishna SinhaDeep Narayan Singh

Preceded by R. R. Diwakar

Succeeded by Madabhushi Ananthasayanam Ayyangar

Personal details

Born 8 February 1897Hyderabad State now Andhra Pradesh, British India[1]

Died 3 May 1969 (aged 72)New Delhi, Delhi, India

Political party Independent

Spouse(s) Shahjehan Begum

Alma mater Aligarh Muslim UniversityUniversity of DelhiJamia Millia Islamia or National Islamic UniversityHumboldt University of Berlin

Religion Islam

Zakir Hussain pronunciation (Telugu: జాకీర్ హుస్సైన్)(Urdu: 8 ; ,زاکِر حسین February 1897 – 3 May 1969) wasthe third President of India, from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969. He was the first elected Muslimpresident of India. He was awarded the highest Indian national honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1963.

Zakir Hussain (politician) 18

Early life and backgroundZakir Hussain was born in Hyderabad Deccan, India.[1] His ancestors were among the Rohilla Afghan fromRohilkhand. His family migrated from Hyderabad to Kaimganj, Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh. His father died when hewas ten years old, and his mother died in 1911 when he was fourteen years old. He attended Islamia High School,Etawah, and was then educated at the Anglo-Muhammadan Oriental College (now Aligarh Muslim University),where he was a prominent student leader.[2]

CareerHussain, then only 23, was among the small group of students and teachers who founded a National MuslimUniversity, first founded in Aligarh on Friday 29 October 1920 then shifted to Karol Bagh, New Delhi in 1925, thenafter shifted again on 1 March 1935 in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi and named it Jamia Millia Islamia (a centraluniversity). He subsequently went to Germany to obtain a PhD from the Frederick William University of Berlin inEconomics. While in Germany, Hussain was instrumental in bringing out the anthology of arguably the greatestUrdu poet Mirza Assadullah Khan "Ghalib" (1797–1868).[3]

He returned to India to head the Jamia Millia Islamia which was facing closure in 1927. He continued in that positionfor the next twenty-one years providing academic and managerial leadership to an institution that was intimatelyinvolved with India's struggle for freedom from the British Rule and experimented with value-based education on thelines advocated by Mahatma Gandhi and Hakim Ajmal Khan.[4] During this period he continued to engage himselfwith movements for educational reforms in India and was particularly active in the affairs of his old alma mater theMAO College, now the Aligarh Muslim University. During this period Hussain emerged as one of the mostprominent educational thinkers and practitioners of modern India. His personal sacrifice and untiring efforts to keepthe Jamia afloat in very adverse circumstances won him appreciation of even his arch political rivals likeMohammed Ali Jinnah.Soon after India attained independence, Hussain agreed to be the Vice chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim Universitywhich was facing trying times in post partition India because of active involvement of a section of its teachers andstudents in the movement for creation of Pakistan, where incidentally Hussain's relatives brother Dr MahmoodHussain,nephew Anwar Hussain(who was very close to him from childhood)and son in law of Dr. MahmoodHussain General Rahimuddin Khan would migrate to and achieve eminence. Dr Hussain, again, provided leadershipduring a critical phase of the history of the University at Aligarh from 1948–1956. Soon after completing his term asVice Chancellor he was nominated as a member of the Upper House of Indian Parliament in 1956, a position hevacated in 1957 to become Governor of the State of Bihar.After serving as the Governor of Bihar from 1957 to 1962, and as the second Vice President of India from 1962 to1967, Hussain was elected President of India on 13 May 1967. In his inaugural speech he said that the whole of Indiawas his home and all its people were his family.[5]

Hussain died on 3 May 1969, the first Indian President to die in office. He is buried on the campus of the JamiaMillia Islamia (or Central University) in New Delhi.

Zakir Hussain (politician) 19

References[1] Zakir Husain (http:/ / www. britannica. com/ EBchecked/ topic/ 277416/ Zakir-Husain), Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 12 Feb 2012, ,

retrieved 13 May 2012[2] Fārūqī, Z̤iāʼulḥasan (1999). "Dr. Zakir Hussain, quest for truth" (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=uzNnwUasQ3wC& pg=PA20&

lpg=PA20& dq="Islamia+ High+ School"). Chapter 2 – Islamia High School Etawah. APH Publishing. . Retrieved 20 October 2010.[3] Zakir Saheb by Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman, Zakir Sahab Zatti Yadain, Edited by Dr. Abid Raza Bedar, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library,

Patna, 1993, p. 165-168[4] Zakir Sahab Aur Hakim Ajmal Khan by Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman, Dr. Zakir Hussain Khan – Hayat, Fikr Aur Aman, Edited by Professor

Abdul Ghaffar Shakil & Dr. Khaliq Anjum, Karnataka Urdu Academy, Bangalore, 1999. p. 157-174[5] Zakir Sahib ki Insan Dosti by Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman, Dr. Zakir Hussain Hayat wa Khidmat, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library, Patna,

2000, page 97-108

External links• Minority minister, V-C read Fatiha at Dr Zakir Hussain’s grave (http:/ / www. twocircles. net/ 2010feb08/

minority_minister_v_c_read_fatiha_dr_zakir_hussain_s_grave. html) – TCN News• Dr. Zakir Hussain Biography (http:/ / www. gloriousindia. com/ biographies/ dr_zakir_hussain. html)

V. V. Giri 20

V. V. Giri

Varahagiri Venkata Giri

4th President of India

In office3 May 1969 – 20 July 1969

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Vice President Gopal Swarup Pathak

Preceded by Mohammad Hidayatullah (Acting)

Succeeded by Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

In office24 August 1969 – 24 August 1974

Acting President of India

In office3 May 1969 – 20 July 1969

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Preceded by Zakir Hussain

Succeeded by Mohammad Hidayatullah (Acting)

Vice President of India

In office13 May 1967 – 3 May 1969

President Zakir Hussain

Preceded by Zakir Hussain

Succeeded by Gopal Swarup Pathak

Governor of Karnataka

In office2 April 1965 – 13 May 1967

Chief Minister Siddavanahalli Nijalingappa

Preceded by Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh

Succeeded by Gopal Swarup Pathak

Governor of Kerala

In office1 July 1960 – 2 April 1965

Chief Minister Pattom Thanu PillaiR. Sankar

Preceded by Burgula Ramakrishna Rao

Succeeded by Ajit Prasad Jain

Governor of Uttar Pradesh

In office10 June 1956 – 30 June 1960

Chief Minister Sampurnanand

V. V. Giri 21

Preceded by Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi

Succeeded by Burgula Ramakrishna Rao

Personal details

Born 10 August 1894Berhampur, British Raj (now India)

Died 23 June 1980 (aged 85)Madras, India

Political party Indian National Congress (1916–present)

Other politicalaffiliations

Sinn Féin (Before 1916)

Spouse(s) Saraswati Bai

Alma mater University College Dublin

Religion Hinduism

Signature

Varahagiri Venkata Giri (pronunciation; 10 August 1894 – 23 June 1980), commonly known as V. V. Giri, wasthe fourth President of the Republic of India from 24 August 1969 to 23 August 1974. He was also Acting Presidentof India from 3 May 1969 to 20 July 1969, before becoming actual president.

Early lifeHe was born to Varahagiri Venkata Jogaiah,[1] residing in Brahmapur (Berhampur) in the Ganjam district of theerstwhile Madras Presidency. The town and district are now part of the state of Orissa. His father was an eminentlawyer and migrated to Brahmapur from Chintalapalli village, now part of East Godavari District - Andhra PradeshState.In 1913, he went to University College Dublin to study law, but was expelled from Ireland in 1916 after becominginvolved with the Sinn Féin movement. Involvement which brought him into close contact with Éamon de Valera,Michael Collins, Patrick Pearse, Desmond FitzGerald, Eoin MacNeill, James Connolly and others.

CareerUpon returning to India, he became heavily involved in the labour movement, becoming general secretary and thenpresident of the All-India Railwaymen's Federation and twice serving as president of the All-India Trade UnionCongress.Giri became a member of the Imperial Legislative Assembly in 1934.[2]

In the 1936 General Election in Madras, Giri was put up as the Congress candidate in Bobbili against the Raja ofBobbili and he won that election. He became minister of labour and industries in 1937 for the Congress Partygovernment formed by C. Rajagopalachari in the Madras Presidency. When the Congress governments resigned in1942, he returned to the labour movement as part of the quit India movement and was imprisoned by the British. Hewas lodged in Rajahmundry jail.After India gained independence, he was first appointed high commissioner to Ceylon and then successfully ran forparliament in 1952. He was elected for 1st Lok Sabha from Pathapatnam Lok Sabha Constituency[3] and served asminister of labour until resigning in 1954.

V. V. Giri 22

The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) was founded in 1957 by a distinguished group of academicians andpublic men engaged in promoting the study of labour and industrial relations. The team was headed by Shri Giri.He served successfully as governor of Uttar Pradesh (1957–1960), Kerala (1960–1965) and Mysore (1965–1967).He was elected as the third Vice President of India in 1967. Giri became acting president of India in 1969 upon thedeath in office of Zakir Hussain and decided to run for that position in the ensuing election. The Congress PartyOfficial leadership led by Kamraj chose to support Neelam Sanjiva Reddy for the position, but he was able to prevailanyway being the chosen candidate for Indira Gandhi who controlled the government, serving until 1974.He received India's highest civilian decoration, the Bharat Ratna, in 1975.[4]

He was a prolific writer and a good orator. He has written books on 'Industrial Relations' and 'Labour problems inIndian Industry'.

References[1][1] Luminaries of 20th century, Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2nd volume, pages 680-1.[2] Narasingha P. Sil, Giri, Varahagiri Venkata (1894–1980), trade unionist and president of India in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

(2004)[3] List of members of 1st Lok Sabha (http:/ / parliamentofindia. nic. in/ ls/ lok01/ alpha/ 01lsg. htm)[4] "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2007)" (http:/ / www. mha. nic. in/ pdfs/ PadmaAwards1954-2007. pdf). Ministry of Home Affairs. .

Retrieved 7 December 2010.

Mohammad Hidayatullah 23

Mohammad Hidayatullah

Mohammad Hidayatullahमुहम्मद हिदायतुल्लाह

OBE محمّد ہدایت ا للہ

Acting President of India

In office20 July 1969 – 24 August 1969

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Preceded by Varahagiri Venkata Giri (Acting President of India)

Succeeded by Varahagiri Venkata Giri

Vice President of India

In office20 August 1977 – 20 August 1982

President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

Preceded by Basappa Danappa Jatti

Succeeded by Ramaswamy Venkataraman

Chief Justice of India

In office25 February 1968 – 16 December 1970

Preceded by Kailas Nath Wanchoo

Succeeded by Jayantilal Chhotalal Shah

Personal details

Born 17 December 1905Lucknow, British Raj (now India)

Died 18 September 1992 (aged 86)Mumbai, India

Political party Independent

Spouse(s) Shrimati Pushpa Shah

Alma mater Nagpur UniversityTrinity College, CambridgeLincoln's Inn

Mohammad Hidayatullah pronunciation, OBE (Hindi: मुहम्मद हिदायतुल्लाह, Urdu: محمّد ہدایت اللہ) (December 17 1905 -18 September 1992) was the eleventh Chief Justice of India, serving from February 25, 1968 to December 16, 1970,and the sixth Vice-President of India, serving from August 20, 1977 to August 20, 1982. He also served as theActing President of India from July 20, 1969 to August 24, 1969.

Mohammad Hidayatullah 24

Early life and educationHidayatullah was born in 1905 in the well-known family of Khan Bahadur Hafiz Mohammed Wilayatullah, anupper-class family.[1][2] His father was a poet of all-India repute who wrote poems in Urdu and probably it must havebeen from him that Justice Hidayatullah got his love for language and literature. Wilayatullah was Gold medallist ofAligarh Muslim University in 1897 besting famous mathematician Ziauddin, a favourite of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.He served till 1928 in ICS and from 1929-33 as member of Central Legislative Assembly. Hidaytullah's elderbrothers Mohammed Ikramullah (ICS, later Foreign Secretary, Pakistan) and Ahmedullah (ICS, retired as Chairman,Tariff Board) were scholars as well as sportsmen. He on the other hand excelled in Urdu poetry.[3]

After completing primary education at the Government High School of Raipur in 1922, Hidayatullah attendedMorris College in Nagpur, where he was nominated as the Phillip's Scholar in 1926. Following the trend of Indiansstudying British law abroad, Hidayatullah attended Trinity College at the University of Cambridge from 1927 to1930. Here he secured the 2nd order of merit and was awarded a Gold Medal for his performance in 1930. He wascalled to the Bar from Lincoln's Inn when he was just 25 years old. He was awarded LL.D. (Honoris Causa) fromUniversity of the Philippines and D. Litt. (Honoris Causa) from University of Bhopal(now Barkatullah University)and University of Kakatiya.His son Arshad Hidayatullah is a Senior Counsel at Supreme Court of India.While at Cambridge, Hidayatullah was elected and served as the President of the Indian Majlis in 1929. Also whilehere, he pursued English and Law Tripos from the renowned Lincoln's Inn. In addition he secured a place ofBarrister-at-Law in 1930.

Judicial CareerAfter graduation, Hidayatullah returned to India and enrolled as Advocate of the High Court of Central Provincesand Berar at Nagpur on 19th July 1930. On 2nd August 1943, he became the Advocate General of Central Provincesand Berar (now Madhya Pradesh) and continued to hold the said post till he was appointed as Additional Judge ofthat High Court on 24th June 1946.[4]

Hidayatullah was the youngest Advocate General of a State, Madhya Pradesh, in 1943 and the youngest ChiefJustice of a High Court when he was appointed to the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 1954.In 1946, Hidayatullah was appointed as a judge at the Nagpur High Court, where he served until being elevated toChief Justice of the Nagpur High Court in 1954. Hidayatullah served as the Chief Justice here until 1956, and wassubsequently appointed the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in November 1956.Following this longstanding experience in the state's court circuit, Hidayatullah was eventually elevated as a Justiceto the Supreme Court of India in December 1958. In his time he was the youngest judge of the Supreme Court ofIndia. After serving as a Justice for nearly 10 years, Hidayatullah took oath as Chief Justice of India on 28 February1968 - becoming the first Muslim Chief Justice of India. He retired from this position on 16 December 1970 [1][2].

Other roles

PresidencyDuring his term as the Chief Justice of India, the then President of India, Dr Zakir Hussain died suddenly, in harness,on May 3, 1969. Then Vice President of India Mr.V V Giri became the acting President. V V Giri resigned to takepart in Presidential elections. Justice Hidayatullah then served as the President of India being ex-officio Chief Justiceof India for a short period from 20 July to 24 August. The visit of President of the United States Mr. Richard Nixonto India made his Presidential term historic.

Mohammad Hidayatullah 25

After his retirement, Justice Hidayatullah was elected as the Vice-President of India by a consensus among differentparties and occupied that high office with distinction from 1979 to August 1984. During his tenure as theVice-President he won the respect of all concerned for his impartiality and independence.Having served at all of these positions made Hidayatullah unique among other members of Indian history. JusticeHidayatullah became the only person to have served in all three offices of Chief Justice of India, President of India,and the Vice President of India. [1][2]

During his long tenure in the Supreme Court he was a party to a number of landmark judgments including thejudgment in Golaknath v. State of Punjab which took the view that the Parliament had no power to cut down theFundamental Rights by constitutional amendment. His judgment in the case of Ranjit D. Udeshi[5] dealing with thelaw of obscenity, displayed a flair for literature which is not so common among our judges.

Career in NagpurBefore becoming involved in national politics and serving as Supreme Court Justice, Hidayatullah was involved inlocal and state affairs. The following are some of the committee positions he held:• Member of the Nagpur Municipal Committee (1931–1933)• Member of the Nagpur University's Executive and Academic Councils (1934–1953)• Member of the Nagpur Improvement Trust (1943–1945)• Member of the Nagpur Bar Council (1943–1946)• Chief Commissioner of the Madhya Pradesh Bharat Scouts and Guides (1950–1953)Many of these positions, as well as those of High Court Justice were held prior to Indian Independence, they were allconsidered service to Great Britain, thus Hidayatullah was conferred the honor of Order of British Empire by theRoyal Family of Britain in 1946.

TeachingHaving received an education at one of the premier legal institutions of the time, Hidayatullah was able to segue intoan academic career not long after returning to India. In 1935, he took a teaching post at University College of Law -where he taught until 1943. Later he served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at Nagpur University from 1949 to 1953.In addition, he served as Faculty of Law at various other institutions throughout the 1950s: Sagar University, CourtVikram University, and the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University.Post-retirement Hidayatullah renewed his interest in Boy Scouts and served as Chief Scout of the All India BoyScouts Association from 1982 to 1992. [6]

InstitutionsHe was the president of Indian Law Institute, International Law Association (Indian Branch), Indian Society ofInternational Law from 1968 to 1970. He also presided ) Indian Red Cross Society in 1982. He was closelyassociated with Hunger Project of USA, World Association of Orphans and Abandoned Children (Geneva), andIndependent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues (1982-84).The Hidayatullah National Law University at Naya Raipur is named after him.

Mohammad Hidayatullah 26

Books• Democracy in India and the Judicial Process, 1966 by Asia Publishing House (1967).[7]

• The South-West Africa Case,Published 1967 by Asia Publishing House (1966).• Judicial Methods Published for the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies by National Publishing

House (1970).• A Judge's Miscellany, N. M. Tripathi (1972).• USA and India: All India Reporter (1977).• A Judge's Miscellany (Second Series) N. M. Tripathi(1972).• The Fifth and Sixth Schedules to the Constitution of India, Ashok Pub. House• My own Boswell (Autobiography) Arnold-Heinemann (1980).• Editor, Mulla's Mohammedan Law• Constitutional law of India: Bar Council of India Trust (1984).• Right to property and the Indian Constitution: Calcutta University (1984).• Justice Hidayatullah on commercial laws: Deep & Deep (1982).

Awards•• Order of the British Empire, 1946,•• Order of Yugoslav Flag with Sash, 1970,•• Medallion and Plaque of Merit Philconsa, Manila, 1970 and•• Knight of Mark Twain, 1971;• Honored with “Proud Past Alumni" in the list of 42 members, from "Allahabad University Alumni Association",

NCR, Ghaziabad (Greater Noida) Chapter 2007-2008 registered under society act 1860 with registration no.407/2000[8].

Legacy

Hidayatullah National Law University

In his honor, the Hidayatullah National Law University wasestablished in 2003, in his home town of Raipur, in the state ofChhattisgarh.[9]

Notes[1] "M. Hidayatullah" (http:/ / www. supremecourtofindia. nic. in/ judges/ bio/

mhidayatullah. htm). www.supremecourtofindia.nic.in. . Retrieved 2008-06-08.[2] "EBC article on J. Hidayatullah" (http:/ / www. ebc-india. com/ lawyer/ articles/ 92v4a2. htm). www.ebc-india.com. . Retrieved 2008-06-08.[3] http:/ / www. ebc-india. com/ lawyer/ articles/ 92v4a1. htm Full Court Reference in Memory of The Late Justice M. Hidayatullah by M.H.

Kania, Chief Justice of India: (1992) 4 SCC (Jour) 1[4] http:/ / www. hnlu. ac. in/ home/ index. php?option=com_content& task=view& id=41& Itemid=71[5][5] Ranjit D. Udeshi v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 1965 SC 881[6] http:/ / boyscoutsindia. org/ aboutus. html[7] http:/ / www. getcited. org/ mbrx/ PT/ 2/ MBR/ 10156330 Books by M. Hidayatullah: getCITED[8] "He is Proud Past Alumni Allahabad University" (http:/ / auaa. in/ ?page_id=31). Allahabad university Alumni Association web page say[9] http:/ / www. hnlu. ac. in/ home/ index. php?option=com_content& task=view& id=41& Itemid=71

est in 2005

Mohammad Hidayatullah 27

External links• J. Hidayatullah's (http:/ / www. mapsofindia. com/ who-is-who/ government-politics/ muhammad-hidayatullah.

html)

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

5th President of India

In office24 August 1974 – 11 February 1977

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Vice President Basappa Danappa Jatti

Preceded by Varahagiri Venkata Giri

Succeeded by Basappa Danappa Jatti (Acting)

Personal details

Born 13 May 1905Delhi, India)

Died 11 February 1977 (aged 71)New Delhi, India

Political party Indian National Congress

Spouse(s) Begum Abida Ahmed

Children 3

Alma mater St Catharine's College,CambridgeSt. Stephen's College, Delhi

Profession Lawyer

Religion Islam

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (Assamese: ফখৰুদ্দিন আলি আহমেদ pronunciation (13 May 1905 – 11 February 1977)was the fifth President of India from 1974 to 1977.[1][2]

Early life and backgroundFakhruddin's grandfather, Khaliluddin Ali Ahmed, of Kacharighat near Golaghat, Assam, married in one of thefamilies who were the relics of Emperor Aurangzeb's bid to conquer Assam [3]

Ahmed was born on 13 May 1905, in Hauz Qazi area in Old Delhi, India.[2] His father was Col. Zalnur Ali whomarried the daughter of the Nawab of Loharu in Delhi[4]

His family was a well known Assamese Muslim family.He started his education in the Government High School from Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, India. He matriculatedfrom the Delhi Government High School and after a short stint at the St. Stephen's College, Delhi, then affiliatedwith the University of the Punjab, went to England for higher education in 1923 continuing studies at St Catharine'sCollege, Cambridge and was called to the Bar from the Inner Temple of London.. He started legal practice in theLahore High Court in 1928.[2][4]

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed 28

Political yearsHe met Jawaharlal Nehru in England in 1925. He joined the Indian National Congress and actively participated inthe Indian freedom movement. In 1942 he was arrested in the Quit India movement and sentenced to 3 1/2 years'imprisonment.[2] He was a member of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee from 1936 and of AICC from 1947to 74, and remained the Minister of Finance, Revenue and labour in the 1938 Gopinath Bordoloi Ministry.After Independence he was elected to the Rajya Sabha (1952–1953) and thereafter became Advocate-General of theGovernment of Assam. He was elected on Congress ticket to the Assam Legislative Assembly on two terms(1957–1962) and (1962–1967).Subsequently, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Barpeta constituency, Assam in 1967 and again in 1971. Inthe Central Cabinet he was given important portfolios relating to Food and Agriculture, Cooperation, Education,Industrial Development and Company Laws.Picked for the presidency by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974, and on 20 August 1974, he became the secondMuslim to be elected President. He is known to have issued the proclamation of emergency by signing the papers atmidnight after a meeting with Indira Gandhi the same day. He used his constitutional authority as head of state toallow her to rule by decree once Emergency in India was proclaimed in 1975. He is well known among Indiandiplomats for his visit to Sudan in 1975 where the whole town showed up to see him. He was the second Indianpresident to die in office, on 11 February 1977. Today his grave lies right across Parliament of India, next to SunhariMasjid, at Sansas chowk, in New Delhi.

HonorsHe was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Pristina, in Kosovo in 1975, during his visit toYugoslavia.He was elected President of the Assam Football Association and the Assam Cricket Association for several terms; hewas also the Vice-President of the Assam Sports Council.In April 1967, he was elected President of the All India Cricket Association. He was a member of the Delhi GolfClub and the Delhi Gymkhana Club from 1961.

Further reading• Speeches of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,

Govt. of India, 1980.• My eleven years with Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, by F. A. A. Rehmaney. S. Chand, 1979.

References[1] Former Presidents (http:/ / presidentofindia. nic. in/ formerpresidents. html) President of India website.[2] Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1905-1977): Biography (http:/ / www. rrtd. nic. in/ fakhruddinaliahmed. htm) RRTC, Ministry of Information and

Broadcasting (India).[3] indiapicks.com (http:/ / www. indiapicks. com/ stamps/ Presidnts_PMs/ FA_Ahmed. htm)[4] indohistory.com (http:/ / www. indohistory. com/ fakhruddin_ali_ahmed. html)

• Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, by M. A. Naidu, 1975• Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, by Attar Chand. Pub. Homeland, 1975.• Janak Raj Jai (2003). "Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed" (http:/ / books. google. co. in/ books?id=r2C2InxI0xAC&

pg=PA101& dq=Fakhruddin+ Ali+ Ahmed& hl=en& ei=PlBqTs2JB4PLrQesgrDPBQ& sa=X& oi=book_result&ct=result& resnum=3& ved=0CDYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage& q=Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed& f=false). Presidents ofIndia, 1950-2003. Daya Books. p. 101. ISBN 81-87498-65-X.

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed 29

External links• Fifth Lok Sabha Members Official Bioprofile (http:/ / 164. 100. 47. 132/ LssNew/ biodata_1_12/ 1702. htm)

Basappa Danappa Jatti

Basappa Danappa Jattiಬಸಪ್ಪ ದಾನಪ್ಪ ಜತ್ತಿ

बसप्पा दनाप्पा जत्तीActing President of India

In office11 February 1977 – 25 July 1977

Prime Minister Indira GandhiMorarji Desai

Preceded by Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Succeeded by Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

Vice President of India

In office1 September 1974 – 25 July 1977

President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Preceded by Gopal Swarup Pathak

Succeeded by Mohammad Hidayatullah

Governor of Orissa

In office8 November 1972 – 20 August 1974

Chief Minister Nandini Satpathy

Preceded by Gatikrishna Mishra

Succeeded by Gatikrishna Mishra

Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry

In office14 October 1968 – 7 November 1972

Chief Minister Hasan Farook

Preceded by Sayaji Laxman Silam

Succeeded by Chhedilal

Chief Minister of Mysore

In office16 May 1958 – 9 March 1962

Governor Jayachamaraja Wodeyar

Preceded by Siddavanahalli Nijalingappa

Succeeded by S. R. Kanthi

Personal details

Basappa Danappa Jatti 30

Born 10 September 1913Savalagi, British Raj (now India)

Died 7 May 2002 (aged 88)

Political party Indian National Congress

Alma mater Shivaji University

Religion Hinduism

Basappa Danappa Jatti pronunciation (Kannada: ಬಸಪ್ಪ ದಾನಪ್ಪ ಜತ್ತಿ, Hindi: बसप्पा दनाप्पा जत्ती; 10 September

1912 – 7 June 2002) was the fifth Vice President of India. He was Acting President of India from 11 February 1977to 25 July 1977. The soft-spoken Jatti rose from a humble beginning as a Municipality member to India’ssecond-highest office during a five-decade-long chequered political career.

BiographyBorn in a Kannadiga Lingayat Banajiga family at Savalgi in Jamkhandi Taluk of Bijapur district, Jatti enteredpolitics as a Municipality member at Jamakhandi in 1940 and later became its President. He was eventually electedto the Jamakhandi State Legislature.A graduate in law from Rajaram College, in Kolhapur when it was affiliated with the then University of Bombay, hepractised for a brief period as a pleader in Jamakhandi. He was appointed minister of Jamakhandi state, andsubsequently became its Chief Minister. On 8 March 1948 after Jamakhandi was merged with Bombay state, hereturned to legal practice and continued it for 20 months. Jatti was also nominated as member of the Bombay StateLegislative Assembly to represent the merged area, and, within a week of his nomination, he was appointedParliamentary Secretary to the then Bombay Chief Minister, B G Kher. He worked in that capacity for a couple ofyears.After the 1952 general elections, he was appointed Minister of Health and Labour of the then Bombay Governmentand held that post till the reorganisation of states.Jatti became member of the Mysore Legislative Assembly after the reorganisation and was Chairman of the LandReforms Committee. He became Chief Minister of Mysore in 1958 and continued in that office until 1962.Re-elected from Jamkhandi constituency in the third general elections, Jatti was appointed Finance Minister on 2July 1962 in the S.Nijalingappa Ministry. He was re-elected to the fourth Assembly from the same constituency andappointed as Minister of Food and Civil Supplies.Jatti subsequently moved onto the national scene and was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry in 1968.He became Orissa Governor in 1973 and, in 1974, assumed office as the fifth Vice-President until 1980. He becameacting President for a brief period after the death of Fakruddin Ali Ahmed. After leaving the office asVice-President, Jatti continued to be in the limelight as a keen observer of the political situation in the country.

Basappa Danappa Jatti 31

Religious activitiesA deeply religious man, Jatti was the founder president of the "Basava Samithi", a religious organisation whichpropagated the preachings of 12th century saint, philosopher and Hindu refomer Basaveshwara. He was alsoinvolved in various organisations concerned with social activities.

External links• B.D. Jatti [1]

References[1] http:/ / www. dailyexcelsior. com/ 02june08/ national. htm#4

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy 32

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

6th President of India

In office25 July 1977 – 25 July 1982

Prime Minister Morarji DesaiCharan SinghIndira Gandhi

Vice President Basappa Danappa JattiMohammad Hidayatullah

Preceded by Basappa Danappa Jatti (Acting)

Succeeded by Zail Singh

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

In office26 March 1977 – 13 July 1977

Preceded by Bali Ram Bhagat

Succeeded by Kawdoor Sadananda Hegde

In office17 March 1967 – 19 July 1969

Preceded by Sardar Hukam Singh

Succeeded by Gurdial Singh Dhillon

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

In office12 March 1962 – 20 February 1964

Governor Bhim Sen SacharSatyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh

Preceded by Damodaram Sanjivayya

Succeeded by Kasu Brahmananda Reddy

In office1 November 1956 – 11 January 1960

Governor Chandulal Madhavlal TrivediBhim Sen Sachar

Preceded by Burgula Ramakrishna Rao (Hyderabad)Bezawada Gopala Reddy (Andhra)

Succeeded by Damodaram Sanjivayya

Personal details

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy 33

Born 13 May 1913Illur, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Andhra Pradesh, India)

Died 1 June 1996 (aged 83)Bangalore, India

Political party Janata Party (1977–present)

Other politicalaffiliations

Indian National Congress (Before 1977)

Alma mater Government Arts College, Anantapur

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy pronunciation (19 May 1913 - 1 June 1996) was the sixth President of India, serving from1977 to 1982 and was the only person to be elected President unopposed[1].Reddy was born in Illur village of district Anantapur in the state of Andhra Pradesh. He had his primary education atthe High School run by Theosophical Society Adyar, Madras. The spiritual atmosphere of the school left a deepimpact on his mind. He joined the Government Arts College at Anantapur (then an affiliate of the University ofMadras) for his higher studies.Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Anantapur in July 1929 influenced Reddy, who discarded his foreign clothes and took toKhadi as his dress. He gave up his studies and joined the Indian Independence Movement in 1931 as a member ofthe Congress Party.He was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1946 and became the Secretary of the Madras CongressLegislature Party. In 1947, he became a Member of the Indian Constituent Assembly. He was Minister forProhibition, Housing and Forests in the composite state of Madras from 1949 to 1951. He was elected as President ofthe Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee in 1951. In 1952, he was elected as a Member of the Rajya Sabha.He served as the first chief minister of Andhra Pradesh in October 1956 and again from 1962 to 1964. He also servedas President of the Indian National Congress from 1959 to 1962.The degree of Honorary Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by the Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi in1958.On 9 June 1964, He was appointed a Member of the Union Cabinet and took over the portfolio of Steel and Mines.He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in November, 1964.He was Union Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation, Shipping and Tourism from January 1966 to March 1967 in theCabinet. He was Elected to the Lok Sabha from Hindupur constituency in Andhra Pradesh. He was elected Speakerof Lok Sabha on 17 March 1967, where he won unprecedented acclaim and admiration.In 1969, following the death of Zakir Hussain, then President of India, Sanjiva Reddy was nominated as the officialcandidate of Congress party. Even before the election he resigned from his Lok Sabha speakership in order not totake advantage of a position while contesting for another as a party candidate. However Indira Gandhi, knowing thatSanjiva Reddy was too independent a person to toe her line, took the stance of allowing the party electors to voteaccording to their conscience, rather than asking to vote for the party candidate. This actually implied her support toV.V.Giri and Sanjiva Reddy lost the election. He retired from active politics, returned to his native village Illuru totake up what was always close to his heart, and his fore-fathers occupation of farming.He entered active politics again in 1975 along with Jayaprakash Narayan. In March 1977, he fought the Lok Sabhaelection from Nandyal constituency in Andhra Pradesh as a Janata Party candidate. He was the only non-Congresscandidate to get elected from Andhra Pradesh. He was unanimously elected Speaker of the Lok Sabha on 26 March1977.He was elected President by the electoral college in July 1977. He was the youngest President and also the onlyunanimous President of India up to now.He died in Bangalore, India in 1996.His grandson is an Indian Revenue Service officer of the 1992 batch.

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy 34

External links• Bio details on Congress Sandesh website accessed at [2] 26 July 2006• Biographical details of Past Presidents of India at http:/ / pastpresidentsofindia. indiapress. org/ ]• Biographical details of Speakers of Lok Sabha at http:/ / speakerloksabha. nic. in/ former/ Nsanjivareddy. asp

References[1] "Sanjiva Reddy only President elected unopposed" (http:/ / www. thehindu. com/ news/ national/ article3529044. ece?homepage=true). The

Hindu. .[2] http:/ / www. congresssandesh. com/ AICC/ pastpresidents. htm

Zail Singh 35

Zail Singh

Zail Singhਜ਼ੈਲ ਸਿੰਘजैल सिंह

7th President of India

In officeJuly 25, 1982 – July 25, 1987

Prime Minister Indira GandhiRajiv Gandhi

Vice President Mohammad HidayatullahRamaswamy Venkataraman

Preceded by Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

Succeeded by Ramaswamy Venkataraman

Minister of Home Affairs

In officeJanuary 14, 1980 – June 22, 1982

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Preceded by Yashwantrao Chavan

Succeeded by Ramaswamy Venkataraman

Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement

In officeMarch 12, 1983 – September 6, 1986

Preceded by Fidel Castro

Succeeded by Robert Mugabe

Personal details

Born May 5, 1916Sandhwan, British Raj

Died December 25, 1994 (aged 78)Chandigarh, India

Political party Indian National Congress

Alma mater Shaheed Sikh Missionary College

Religion Sikhism

Giani Zail Singh pronunciation (Punjabi: ਜ਼ੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ, Hindi: जैल सिंह; May 5, 1916 – December 25, 1994) was an Indianpolitician and member of the Congress Party. He served as the seventh President of India. His term was marked byOperation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. [1] He died of injuries in 1994after a car accident.

Zail Singh 36

Early LifeHe was born in Sandhwan, Faridkot district on May 5, 1916 to Kishan Singh. He was a Sikh by religion, was giventhe title of Giani, as he was educated and learned about Guru Granth Sahib at Shaheed Sikh Missionary College inAmritsar. However, he did not have formal secular education. [2]

State Politics (1947-1971)In 1947, with the reorganization of India along secular lines an, he opposed Harindar Singh, ruler of Faridkot Stateand was incarcerated and tortured for five years.[3] He was called on to be the Revenue Minister of the recentlyformed Patiala and East Punjab States Union, under Chief Minister Gian Singh Rarewala in 1949 and later becameMinister of Agriculture in 1951. From 1956 to 1962, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Chief Minister of Punjab (1972-77)Zail Singh was elected as a Congress Chief Minister of Punjab in 1972. [4] He arranged massive religious gatherings,started public functions with a traditional Sikh prayer, inaugurated a highway named after Guru Gobind Singh, andnamed a township after the Guru's son.[5]. He created a life long pension scheme for the freedom fighters of the state.He repatriated the remains of Udham Singh from London, armaments and articles belonging to Guru Gobind Singh.

Central GovernmentIn 1980, Zail Singh was elected to the 7th Lok Sabha, and appointed to join Indira Gandhi's cabinet as Minister forHome Affairs. [1] He is believed to have worked with her to promote the personality of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwaleat the expense of the Akali Dal leadership.

President of IndiaIn 1982 he was unanimously nominated to serve as the President. Nonetheless, some in the media felt that thepresident had been chosen for being an Indira loyalist rather than an eminent person. “If my leader had said I shouldpick up a broom and be a sweeper, I would have done that. She chose me to be President,”[6] Singh was quoted tohave said after his election. He took the oath of office on July 25, 1982.He served beside Gandhi, and protocol dictated that he should be briefed every week by her on the affairs of thestate. The day before Operation Blue Star, he met with Gandhi for more than an hour, but she omitted even sharing aword about her plan.[7] Following the operation he was pressured to resign from his post by Sikhs. He decidedagainst resignation fearing to aggravate the situation on advice from Yogi Bhajan. He was subsequently called beforethe Akal Takhat to apologize and explain his inaction at the desecration of the Harimandir Sahib and killing ofinnocent Sikhs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984, and he appointed Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister.[8]

Latter TermHis remaining term was full of controversies on account of his soured relations with prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.During this time, he ensured that the prime minister adhered to protocols and forced him to remove KK Tewary, acongress MP who alleged on the floor of the Lok Sabha that the president had sheltered terrorists in the RashtrapatiBhawan.[9]

Singh refused assent to the "Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill" in 1986 to show his opposition to the bill. Thebill was later withdrawn by the V.P. Singh Government in 1990.[10]

Singh is believed to have contemplated the dismissal of the Rajiv Gandhi Government due to the corruption chargesleveled against the Prime Minister and kickbacks in the Bofors scandal.

Zail Singh 37

DeathOn November 29, 1994 Zail Singh was involved in a serious vehicle accident near Kiratpur Sahib in Ropar Districton his way to the Anandpur Sahib. He later died at the Post Graduate Institute, Chandigarh on 25 December 1994and was cremated at the Raj Ghat Memorial near Old Delhi.[11]

References[1] Zail Singh, 78, First Sikh To Hold India's Presidency. The New York Times. 1994-12-26. Retrieved 2011-26-10. http:/ / www. nytimes. com/

1994/ 12/ 26/ obituaries/ zail-singh-78-first-sikh-to-hold-india-s-presidency. html[2] "Zail Singh." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2011. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/545853/Zail-Singh>.[3] A.C. Aurora, “Punjab Riyasti Praja Mandal”, The Encyclopedia of Sikhism, ed. Harbans Singh, Vol. III, Patiala, India, Punjabi University,

1997, p. 278.[4][4] Sangat Singh, The Sikhs in History, New Delhi, Uncommon Books, 1999, pp. 350-54; Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Volume II:

1839-2004, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, pp. 315-17.[5][5] Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Volume II: 1839-2004, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 355.[6] 10 stories that changed in our lifetime. India Today. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2011-26-10. http:/ / indiatoday. intoday. in/ site/ Story/ 23077/

10+ stories+ that+ changed+ in+ our+ lifetime. html?complete=1[7][7] Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Volume II: 1839-2004, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 359-60.[8] Harjot Singh, “Zail Singh, Giani”, The Encyclopedia of Sikhism, ed. Harbans Singh, Vol. IV, Patiala, India, Punjabi University, 1997, pp.

456-57.[9] "Presidential Years of Zail Singh" (http:/ / www. outlookindia. com/ article. aspx?202610). outlook india. . Retrieved 13 June 2012.[10] "Show Of Dissent" (http:/ / archives. digitaltoday. in/ indiatoday/ 20060612/ nation5. html). India Today. . Retrieved 13 June 2012.[11] Harjot Singh, “Zail Singh, Giani”, The Encyclopedia of Sikhism, ed. Harbans Singh, Vol. IV, Patiala, India, Punjabi University, 1997, p.

457.

R. Venkataraman 38

R. Venkataraman

Ramaswamy Venkataraman

8th President of India

In office25 July 1987 – 25 July 1992

Prime Minister Rajiv GandhiVishwanath Pratap SinghChandra ShekharNarasimha Rao

Vice President Shankar Dayal Sharma

Preceded by Zail Singh

Succeeded by Shankar Dayal Sharma

Vice President of India

In office20 August 1982 – 27 July 1987

President Zail Singh

Preceded by Mohammad Hidayatullah

Succeeded by Shankar Dayal Sharma

Minister of Home Affairs

In office22 June 1982 – 2 September 1982

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Preceded by Zail Singh

Succeeded by Prakash Chandra Sethi

Minister of Defence

In office15 January 1982 – 2 August 1984

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

R. Venkataraman 39

Preceded by Indira Gandhi

Succeeded by Shankarrao Chavan

Minister of Finance

In office14 January 1980 – 15 January 1982

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Preceded by Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna

Succeeded by Pranab Mukherjee

Personal details

Born 4 December 1910Rajamadam, Madras Presidency, BritishIndia(now in Tamil Nadu, India)

Died 27 January 2009 (aged 98)New Delhi, India

Political party Indian National Congress

Spouse(s) Janaki Venkataraman

Alma mater Loyola College, MadrasMadras Law College

Profession Lawyer

Religion Hinduism

Signature

Ramaswamy Venkataraman (Tamil: இராமசுவாமி வெங்கட்ராமன் pronunciation, 4 December 1910 – 27January 2009)[1] was an Indian lawyer, Indian independence activist and politician who served as a Union ministerand as the eighth President of India.[2]

Venkataraman was born in Rajamadam village in Tanjore district, Madras Presidency. He studied law and practisedin the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In his young age, he was an activist of the Indianindependence movement and participated in the Quit India Movement. He was appointed member of the ConstituentAssembly and the provisional cabinet. He was elected to Lok Sabha four times and served as Union Finance Ministerand Defence Minister. In 1984, he was elected the seventh Vice-President of India and in 1987, he became the 8thPresident of India and served from 1987 to 1992. He also served as a State minister under K. Kamaraj and M.Bhaktavatsalam.

R. Venkataraman 40

Early lifeVenkataraman was born in Rajamadam village near in Pattukottai, near Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu. He had hisschool education in Govt Boys Higher Secondary School, Pattukottai & College education in National CollegeHigher Secondary School at Trichy.Educated locally and in the city of Madras (now Chennai), Venkataraman obtained his Master Degree in Economicsfrom Loyola College, Madras. He later qualified in Law from the Law College, Madras. Venkataraman was enrolledin the Madras High Court in 1935 and in the Supreme Court in 1951.[3]

While practicing law, Venkataraman was drawn into the movement for India's freedom from Britain's colonialsubjugation. His active participation in the Indian National Congress's celebrated resistance to the BritishGovernment, the Quit India Movement of 1942, resulted in his detention for two years under the Defence of IndiaRules. Venkataraman's interest in the law continued during this period. In 1946, when the transfer of power fromBritish to Indian hands was imminent, the Government of India included him in the panel of lawyers sent to Malayaand Singapore to defend Indian nationals charged with offences of collaboration during the Japanese occupation ofthose two places. In the years 1947 to 1950, Venkataraman served as Secretary of the Madras Provincial BarFederation.

Political careerLaw and trade union activity led to Venkataraman's increasing association with politics. He was a member ofconstituent assembly that drafted India's constitution. In 1950 he was elected to free India's Provisional Parliament(1950–1952) and to the First Parliament (1952–1957). During his term of legislative activity, Venkataramanattended the 1952 Session of the Metal Trades Committee of International Labour Organisation as a workers'delegate. He was a member of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferencein New Zealand. Venkataraman was also Secretary to the Congress Parliamentary Party in 1953-1954.Although re-elected to Parliament in 1957, Venkataraman resigned his seat in the Lok Sabha to join the StateGovernment of Madras as a Minister. There Shri Venkataraman held the portfolios of Industries, Labour,Cooperation, Power, Transport and Commercial Taxes from 1957 to 1967. During this time, he was also Leader ofthe Upper House, namely, the Madras Legislative Council.

As Minister of IndustriesVenkataraman was appointed a Member of the Union Planning Commission in 1967 and was entrusted the subjectsof Industry, Labour, power, Transport, Communications, Railways. He held that office until 1971. In 1977,Venkataraman was elected to the Lok Sabha from Madras (South) Constituency and served as an OppositionMember of Parliament and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.Venkataraman was also, variously, a member of the Political Affairs Committee and the Economic AffairsCommittee of the Union Cabinet; Governor, International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstructionand Development, and the Asian Development Bank. Venkataraman was a Delegate to the United Nations GeneralAssembly in 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961. He was Leader of the Indian Delegation to the 42ndSession of the International Labour Conference at Geneva (1958) and represented India in the Inter ParliamentaryConference in Vienna (1978). He was a member of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal from 1955 to 1979and was its President from 1968 to 1979.In 1980, Venkataraman was re-elected to the Lok Sabha and was appointed Union Minister of Finance in the Government headed by Smt. Indira Gandhi. He was later appointed Union Minister of Defence, here he is credited for initiating India's missile programme, he shifted A P J Abdul Kalam from space programme to the missile programme, and consolidated the entire missile system, naming it as Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.[4] Later he was to serve as Vice-President of India and then as a President of India starting 1987, where he

R. Venkataraman 41

had the unique distinction of working with four prime ministers, and appointing three of them: V P Singh, ChandraShekhar and P V Narasimha Rao, during his five-year term, which saw the advent of coalition politics in India.[5][6]

Honours and accoladesVenkataraman received the Doctorate of Law (Honoris Causa) from University of Madras, the Doctorate of Law(Honoris Causa) from Nagarjuna University. He is Honorary Fellow, Madras Medical College; Doctor of SocialSciences, University of Roorkee; Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) from University of Burdwan. He was awarded TheTamra Patra for participation in the freedom struggle, the Soviet Land Prize for his travelogue on K. Kamaraj's visitto the Socialist countries. He was the recipient of a Souvenir from the Secretary-General of the United Nations fordistinguished service as President of the U.N. Administrative Tribunal. The title of "Sat Seva Ratna" was conferredon him by His Holiness the Sankaracharya of Kancheepuram.

DeathOn 12 January 2009, Venkataraman was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital with complaints ofUrosepsis (a toxic condition caused by the extravasation of urine into bodily tissues).[7] His condition grew criticalon 20 January, when he was detected with low blood pressure and E. coli tract infection.Venkataraman died at the Army Research and Referral Hospital, New Delhi on 27 January 2009 at 1430 IST[7] dueto multiple organ failure at the age of 98.[8]

With Venkataraman's death, Abdul Kalam became the only surviving former President of India.A. Kalam is a greatpersonalty.

Works• Role of Planning in Industrial Development, by Ramaswami Venkataraman. Published by Govt. of India Press,

1969.• The Role of a Private Member of Parliament, by Ramaswami Venkataraman. Published by Harold Laski Institute

of Political Science, 1986.• My Presidential Years - R Venkataraman, by R Venkataraman. 1995. HarperCollins/Indus. ISBN 81-7223-202-0.• R. Venkataraman on Contemporary Issues, by Ramaswami Venkataraman, K. Venkatasubramanian. Published by

Variant Communications, 1996.• Relevance of Gandhi: And Other Essays, by K Swaminathan, Ramaswami Venkataraman. Published by

Gandhigram Trust, 1998.

Books on R. Venkataraman• President R. Venkataraman, by Nand Gopal Chaudhry. Published by Manas Publications, 1987. ISBN

81-7049-018-9.• The Great Humanist Ramaswami Venkataraman, by Attar Chand. Published by Gian Pub. House, 1987. ISBN

81-212-0106-3.• So May India be Great: Selected Speeches and Writings of President R. Venkataraman, by Ramaswami

Venkataraman. Published by Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India,1990.

• Selected Speeches, 1984–87, 10 September 1984-14 May 1987: 10 September 1984-14 May 1987, by RamaswamiVenkataraman. Published by Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India,1991.

• President R. Venkataraman Selected Speeches: July 1987-December 1989., by Ramaswami Venkataraman.Published by Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, 1991.

R. Venkataraman 42

Notes[1] http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ 2009/ 01/ 28/ stories/ 2009012861430100. htm[2] http:/ / pastpresidentsofindia. indiapress. org/ venkat. html[3] Venkataraman presided over the change to era of coalitions (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2009/ 01/ 28/ stories/ 2009012861861400. htm) The

Hindu, 28 January 2009.[4] Venkataraman responsible for shaping missile programme: Kalam (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ thehindu/ holnus/ 001200901272126. htm) The

Hindu, 27 January 2009.[5] Former President Venkataraman passes away (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ India/ Ex-President_Venkataraman_dies/ articleshow/

4036007. cms) The Times of India, 28 January 2009.[6] Former President R Venkataraman passes away (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ former-president-r-venkataraman-passes-away/

415704/ ) Indian Express, 27 January 2009.[7] "Former President R Venkataraman dies" (http:/ / www. ndtv. com/ convergence/ ndtv/ story. aspx?id=NEWEN20090081563). NDTV. .[8] "Former President Venkataraman dead" (http:/ / www. sindhtoday. net/ south-asia/ 56521. htm). Sindh Today. 27 January 2009. .

References• "Ramaswamy Venkataraman:Eighth President of India" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ comment/

obituaries/ article5613765. ece). The Times. 30 January 2009.

External links• R.Venkatraman's Journey (http:/ / www. patrika. com/ Venkatraman/ index. html'''Late)• Post - presidential Career of R. venkatraman (http:/ / www. patrika. com/ Venkatraman/ index. html)• maintained by RV Foundation (http:/ / www. presidentvenkataraman. in), a Trust founded by him and

administered by the family.

Shankar Dayal Sharma 43

Shankar Dayal Sharma

Shankar Dayal Sharmaशंकर दयाल शर्मा

9th President of India

In office25 July 1992 – 25 July 1997

Prime Minister Narasimha RaoAtal Bihari VajpayeeH. D. Deve GowdaInder Kumar Gujral

Vice President Kocheril Raman Narayanan

Preceded by Ramaswamy Venkataraman

Succeeded by Kocheril Raman Narayanan

Vice President of India

In office3 September 1987 – 25 July 1992

President Ramaswamy Venkataraman

Preceded by Ramaswamy Venkataraman

Succeeded by Kocheril Raman Narayanan

Governor of Maharashtra

In office3 April 1986 – 2 September 1987

Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan

Preceded by Kona Prabhakar Rao

Succeeded by Kasu Brahmananda Reddy

Governor of PunjabAdministrator of Chandigarh

In office26 November 1985 – 2 April 1986

Shankar Dayal Sharma 44

Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala

Preceded by Hokishe Sema

Succeeded by Siddhartha Shankar Ray

Governor of Andhra Pradesh

In office29 August 1984 – 26 November 1985

Chief Minister Nadendla Bhaskara RaoNandamuri Taraka Rama Rao

Preceded by Thakur Ram Lal

Succeeded by Kumudben Manishankar Joshi

Personal details

Born 19 August 1918Bhopal, in the princely state of Bhopal (now India)

Died 26 December 1999 (aged 81)New Delhi, India

Political party Indian National Congress

Spouse(s) Vimala Sharma

Children Two sonsOne daughter

Alma mater Allahabad UniversityAgra CollegePanjab University, ChandigarhUniversity of LucknowFitzwilliam College, CambridgeHarvard University

Signature

Shankar Dayal Sharma pronunciation (Hindi: शंकर दयाल शर्मा; 19 August 1918 - 26 December 1999) was the ninthPresident of India serving from 1992 to 1997. Prior to his presidency, Dr Sharma had been the eighth Vice Presidentof India, serving under President Ramaswamy Venkataraman. He was also Chief Minister (1952–1956), and CabinetMinister (1956–1967), holding the portfolios of Education, Law, Public Works, Industry and Commerce, NationalResources and Separate Revenue. He was the President of the Indian National Congress in 1972-1974 and returnedto government as Union Minister for Communications from 1974 to 1977.The International Bar Association presented Dr. Sharma with the 'Living Legends of Law Award of Recognition' forhis outstanding contribution to the legal profession internationally and for commitment to the rule of law.[1]

Dr. Sharma was born in Bhopal, then the capital of the princely state of Bhopal.

Education and early lifeSharma comes from the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Sharma received his education at St. John's College, AgraCollege, Punjab University and Lucknow University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Law from Fitzwilliam College.Sharma was awarded the Chakravarti Gold Medal for Social Service by Lucknow University. Dr. Sharma taughtLaw at Lucknow University and at Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Dr. Sharma was Treasurer of theTagore Society and the Cambridge Majlis.[2] He taught law at Cambridge University from 1946 to 1947. He wasHonored as “Proud Past Alumni" in the list of 42 members, from "Allahabad University Alumni Association",Ghaziabad.[3]

Shankar Dayal Sharma 45

Political initiationDuring the 1940s he was involved in the struggle for Indian independence from the British, and joined the IndianNational Congress, a party which he would remain loyal to for the rest of his life. In 1952 he became the chiefminister of the Bhopal state and served in that position until the state reorganization of 1956, when Bhopal statemerged with several other states to form the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Active political lifeDuring the 1960s Sharma supported Indira Gandhi's quest for leadership of the Congress Party. He served in hercabinet as the minister for Communication from 1974-77. In 1971 and 1980 he won a Lok Sabha seat from Bhopal.Later on, he was given a variety of ceremonial posts. In 1984 he began serving as a governor of Indian states, first inAndhra Pradesh. During this time, his daughter Geetanjali Maken and son-in-law Lalit Maken, a young member ofparliament and a promising political leader, were killed by Sikh militants. In 1985, he left Andhra Pradesh andbecame governor of Punjab during a time of violence between the Indian government and Sikh militants, many ofwhom lived in Punjab. He left Punjab in 1986 and took up his final governorship in Maharashtra. He remainedgovernor of that state until 1987 when he was elected for a 5-year term as the eighth Vice-President of India andchairman of the Rajya Sabha.Sharma was known to be a stickler for parliamentary norms. He is known to have broken down in the Rajya Sabhawhile witnessing the members of the house create a din on a political issue. His grief brought back some order intothe proceedings of the house.

Presidential electionSharma served as Vice-President until 1992, when he was elected President.He received 66% of the votes in theelectoral college, defeating George Gilbert Swell. During his last year as President, it was his responsibility to swearin three prime ministers. He did not run for a second term as President.

Illness and deathDuring the last five years of his life, Sharma suffered from ill health. On 26 December 1999, he suffered a massiveheart attack and was admitted to a hospital in New Delhi, where he died. He was cremated at Karma Bhumi. Dr.Sharma is survived by his son Satish Dayal Sharma from his first wife and a son Ashutosh Dayal Sharma, from hissecond wife, Smt. Vimala Sharma.

References[1] http:/ / www. gloriousindia. com/ biographies/ shankar_dayal_sharma. html[2] "Cambrige Majlis" (http:/ / www8. open. ac. uk/ researchprojects/ makingbritain/ content/ cambridge-majlis), The Open University, , retrieved

February 15, 2012[3] "Allahabad University Alumni Association (NCR Ghaziabad-Noida Chapter): "Proud Past Alumni (Almamator)" List" (http:/ / allduniv.

academia. edu/ DrVivekKumarPandey/ Books/ 520689/Allahabad_University_Alumni_Association_NCR_Ghaziabad-Noida_Chapter_Proud_Past_Alumni_Almamator_List), Allahabad UniversityAlumni Association, , retrieved February 15, 2012

Shankar Dayal Sharma 46

External links• Bio details (not updated) from Congress Sandesh at (http:/ / www. congresssandesh. com/ AICC/ pastpresidents.

htm) accessed 26 July 2006

K. R. Narayanan

Kocheril Raman Narayanan

10th President of India

In office25 July 1997 – 25 July 2002

Prime Minister Inder Kumar GujralAtal Bihari Vajpayee

Vice President Krishan Kant

Preceded by Shankar Dayal Sharma

Succeeded by Abdul Kalam

Vice President of India

In office21 August 1992 – 24 July 1997

President Shankar Dayal Sharma

Preceded by Shankar Dayal Sharma

Succeeded by Krishan Kant

Personal details

Born 27 October 1920Perumthanam, Travancore, BritishIndia(now in Kerala, India)

Died 9 November 2005 (aged 85)New Delhi, India

Political party Indian National Congress

Alma mater University of Kerala (B.A., M.A.)London School of Economics (B.Sc)

Religion Hinduism

Signature

Kocheril Raman Narayanan pronunciation (Malayalam: കോച്ചേരിൽ രാമൻ നാരായണൻ, 27 October 1920 – 9 November2005), also known as K. R. Narayanan, was the tenth President of India. He was the first Dalit, and the firstMalayali, to have been President.Born in Perumthanam, Uzhavoor village, in the princely state of Travancore (present day Kottayam district, Kerala), and after a brief stint with journalism and then studying political science at the London School of Economics with the assistance of a scholarship, Narayanan began his career in India as a member of the Indian Foreign Service under

K. R. Narayanan 47

the Nehru administration. He served as ambassador to Japan, United Kingdom, Thailand, Turkey, People's Republicof China and United States of America and was referred by Nehru as "the best diplomat of the country".[1] Heentered politics at Indira Gandhi's request and won three successive general elections to the Lok Sabha and served asa Minister of State in the Union Cabinet under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Elected as the ninthVice-President in 1992, Narayanan went on to become the President of India in 1997.Narayanan is regarded as an independent and assertive President who set several precedents and enlarged the scopeof the highest constitutional office. He described himself as a "working President" who worked "within the fourcorners of the Constitution"; something midway between an "executive President" who has direct power and a"rubber-stamp President" who endorses government decisions without question or deliberation.[2] He used hisdiscretionary powers as a President and deviated from convention and precedent in many situations, including - butnot limited to — the appointment of the Prime Minister in a hung Parliament, in dismissing a state government andimposing President's rule there at the suggestion of the Union Cabinet, and during the Kargil conflict. He presidedover the golden jubilee celebrations of Indian independence and in the country's general election of 1998 became thefirst Indian President to vote when in office, setting another new precedent.

Early lifeK. R. Narayanan was born in a small thatched hut at Perumthanam, Uzhavoor, as the fourth of seven children ofKocheril Raman Vaidyar, a physician practicing the traditional Indian medical systems of Siddha and Ayurveda, andPunnaththuraveettil Paappiyamma. His family (belonging to the Paravan caste, whose members are assigned the taskof plucking coconuts as per the caste system) was poor, but his father was respected for his medical acumen. He wasborn on 27 October 1920, but his uncle, who accompanied him on his first day in school, did not know his actualdate of birth, and arbitrarily chose 27 October 1920 for the records; Narayanan later chose to let it remain official.Narayanan had his early schooling in Uzhavoor at the Government Lower Primary School, Kurichithanam (where heenrolled on 5 May 1927) and Our Lady of Lourdes Upper Primary School, Uzhavoor (1931–35). He walked toschool for about 15 kilometres daily through paddy fields, and was often unable to pay the modest fees. He oftenlistened to school lessons while standing outside the classroom, having been barred from attending because tuitionfees were outstanding. The family lacked money to buy books and his elder brother K. R. Neelakantan, who wasconfined to home as he was suffering from asthma, used to borrow books from other students, copy them down, andgive them to Narayanan. He matriculated from St. Mary's High School, Kuravilangad (1936–37) (he had studied atSt. John's High School, Koothattukulam (1935–36) previously). He completed his intermediate at C. M. S. College,Kottayam (1938–40), aided by a scholarship from the Travencore Royal family.Narayanan obtained his B. A. (Honours) and M.A. in English literature from the University of Travancore (1940–43)(present day University of Kerala), standing first in the university (thus becoming the first Dalit to obtain this degreewith first class in Travancore).With his family facing grave difficulties, he left for Delhi and worked for some time as a journalist with The Hinduand The Times of India (1944–45). During this time he once interviewed Mahatma Gandhi[3] in Bombay on his ownvolition (10 April 1945).Narayanan then went to England (1945) and studied political science under Harold Laski atthe London School of Economics (LSE);[4] he also attended lectures by Karl Popper, Lionel Robbins, and FriedrichHayek. He obtained the honours degree of B. Sc. (Economics) with a specialisation in political science, helped by ascholarship from J. R. D. Tata.[5] During his years in London, he (along with fellow student K. N. Raj) was active inthe India League under V. K. Krishna Menon. He was also the London correspondent of the Social Welfare Weeklypublished by K. M. Munshi. He shared lodgings with K. N. Raj and Veerasamy Ringadoo (who later became the firstPresident of Mauritius); another close friend was Pierre Trudeau (who later became Prime minister of Canada).

K. R. Narayanan 48

Diplomat and academicianWhen Narayanan returned to India in 1948, Laski gave him a letter of introduction to Prime minister JawaharlalNehru. Years later he narrated[6] how he began his career in the public service:

When I finished with LSE, Laski, of his own, gave me a letter of introduction for Panditji. On reachingDelhi I sought an appointment with the PM. I suppose, because I was an Indian student returning homefrom London, I was given a time-slot. It was here in Parliament House that he met me. We talked for afew minutes about London and things like that and I could soon see that it was time for me to leave. So Isaid goodbye and as I left the room I handed over the letter from Laski, and stepped out into the greatcircular corridor outside. When I was half way round, I heard the sound of someone clapping from thedirection I had just come. I turned to see Panditji [Nehru] beckoning me to come back. He had openedthe letter as I left his room and read it. [Nehru asked:] "Why didn't you give this to me earlier?" [andKRN replied:] "Well, sir, I am sorry. I thought it would be enough if I just handed it over while leaving."After a few more questions, he asked me to see him again and very soon I found myself entering theIndian Foreign Service.

K. R. Narayanan with then President of RussiaVladimir Putin on 3 October 2000.

In 1949, he joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) on Nehru'srequest.[7] He worked as a diplomat in the embassies at Rangoon,Tokyo, London, Canberra, and Hanoi. He was the Indian ambassadorto Thailand (1967–69), Turkey (1973–75), and the People's Republicof China (1976–78). He taught at the Delhi School of Economics(DSE) (1954), and was Jawaharlal Nehru fellow (1970–72) andsecretary to the ministry of external affairs (1976). He retired in 1978.After his retirement, he served as the Vice-Chancellor of JawaharlalNehru University (JNU) in New Delhi from 3 January 1979 - 14October 1980; he would later describe this experience as thefoundation for his public life.[8] Subsequently he was called back from

retirement to serve as Indian Ambassador to the United States from 1980–84, under the Indira Gandhiadministration. Narayanan's tenures as Indian ambassador to China, the first such high level Indian diplomaticposting in that country after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and to the USA where he helped arrange Ms. Gandhi'slandmark 1982 visit to Washington during the Reagan presidency helped mend India's strained relations with boththese countries.[9][10] Nehru, who had also been the Minister for External Affairs during his 16 years as PM, held thatK. R. Narayanan was "the best diplomat of the country."(1955)

FamilyWhile working in Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar), K. R. Narayanan met Ma Tint Tint, whom he later married in Delhion 8 June 1951. Ma Tint Tint was active in the YWCA and on hearing that Narayanan was a student of Laski,approached him to speak on political freedom before her circle of acquaintances. Their marriage needed a specialdispensation from Nehru per Indian law, because Narayanan was in the IFS and she was a foreigner. Ma Tint Tintadopted the Indian name Usha and became an Indian citizen. Usha Narayanan (1923–2008) worked on several socialwelfare programs for women and children in India. She also translated and published several Burmese short stories;a collection of translated stories by Thein Pe Myint, titled Sweet and Sour, appeared in 1998. She is the only womanof foreign origin to have become the First Lady. They have two daughters, Ms. Chitra Narayanan (Indianambassador to Switzerland and The Holy See)[11] and Amrita.

K. R. Narayanan 49

Parliamentarian, Union Minister and Vice-PresidentNarayanan entered politics at the request of Indira Gandhi and won three successive general elections to the LokSabha in 1984, 1989, and 1991, as a representative of the Ottapalam constituency in Palakkad, Kerala, on anCongress ticket. He was a Minister of State in the Union cabinet under Rajiv Gandhi, holding the portfolios ofPlanning (1985), External Affairs (1985–86), and Science and Technology (1986–89). As a Member of Parliament,he resisted international pressure to tighten patent controls in India. He sat in the opposition benches when theCongress was voted out of power during 1989-91. Narayanan was not included in the cabinet when the Congressreturned to power in 1991. K. Karunakaran, Congress Chief Minister of Kerala, a political adversary of his, informedNarayanan that he was not made a minister because of him being a "Communist fellow-traveller". He did not,however, respond when Narayanan pointed out that he had defeated Communist candidates (A. K. Balan and LeninRajendran, the latter twice) in all three elections.[8]

K. R. Narayanan was elected as the Vice-President of India on 21 August 1992, under the Presidency of ShankarDayal Sharma. His name had been proposed initially by V. P. Singh, former Prime Minister and the then leader ofthe Janata Dal parliamentary party. The Janata Dal and the Left Front had jointly declared him as their candidate, andthis had later garnered support from the Congress under P. V. Narasimha Rao, leading to a unanimous decision onhis election. On his relationship with the Left front, Narayanan later clarified[8] that he was neither a devotee nor ablind opponent of Communism; they had known of his ideological differences, but had supported him asVice-President (and later as President) because of special political circumstances that prevailed in the country. Hehad benefited from their support, and in turn, their political positions had gained acceptability. When the BabriMasjid was demolished on 6 December 1992, he described the event as the "greatest tragedy India has faced sincethe assassination of Mahatma Gandhi".[2]

PresidencyK. R. Narayanan was elected to the Presidency of India[12] (17 July 1997) with 95% of the votes in the electoralcollege, as a result of the Presidential poll on 14 July. This is the only Presidential election to have been held with aminority government holding power at the centre. T. N. Seshan was the sole opposing candidate, and all majorparties save the Shiv Sena supported his candidature.,[13] while Seshan alleged that Narayanan had been electedsolely for being a Dalit.He was sworn in as the President of India (25 July 1997) by Chief Justice J. S. Verma in the Central Hall ofParliament. In his inaugural address,[14] he said:

That the nation has found a consensus for its highest office in some one who has sprung from thegrass-roots of our society and grown up in the dust and heat of this sacred land is symbolic of the factthat the concerns of the common man have now moved to the centre stage of our social and political life.It is this larger significance of my election rather than any personal sense of honour that makes merejoice on this occasion.

Golden jubilee of independenceThe principal event of the golden jubilee of Indian independence was President K. R. Narayanan's midnight addressto the nation[15] during the special session of Parliament convened on the night of 14 August; in this address, heidentified the establishment of a democratic system of government and politics to be the greatest achievement ofIndia since independence. The following morning, Prime Minister I. K. Gujral, addressing the nation[16] from theramparts of the Red Fort, said:

When Gandhiji dreamt of India's future, he had said that the country will attain the real freedom only onthe day when a Dalit would become the President of this country. This is our great fortune that today onthe eve of golden jubilee of independence, we have been able to fulfil this dream of Gandhiji. In theperson of Shri K. R. Narayanan we have been able to fulfil the dream of Gandhiji. Our President of

K. R. Narayanan 50

whom the whole country is proud of, is from a very poor and downtrodden family and today he hasendowed the Rashtrapati Bhavan with a new pride and respect. It is a matter of further happiness that thePresident has a very high place among the intellectuals of this country. This is a feather in the cap of ourdemocracy that the backward sections of the society today are attaining their rightful place in society.All the countrymen today whether they are from minorities, scheduled castes [Dalits], or scheduledtribes [Adivasis]-- are working unitedly for the development of the country.

Participation in the electionsIn the general elections of 1998, K. R. Narayanan became the first sitting President to vote (16 February 1998),casting his vote at a polling booth in a school within the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex after standing in a queue likean ordinary citizen. He insisted on casting his vote, despite the departure from precedent being pointed out to him.Narayanan sought to change what was a long-standing practice of Indian presidents not voting during generalelections.[17][18] He also exercised his franchise as President in the 1999 general elections.Golden jubilee of the RepublicPresident K. R. Narayanan's address to the nation[19] on the golden jubilee of the Indian Republic (26 January 2000)is considered a landmark:[20] it was the first time[21] a President attempted to analyse, with due concern for growingdisparities, the several ways in which the country had failed[22] to provide economic justice to the Indian people,particularly the rural and agrarian population; he also stated that discontent was breeding and frustrations erupting inviolence among the deprived sections of society. In his address to Parliament[23] later that day, he praised the workof B. R. Ambedkar on the Indian constitution and cautioned against attempts to change its basic structure, concurringwith Ambedkar's preference for accountability and responsibility over the stability of the government. He reiteratedthis in stronger terms in his next Republic day address (2001);[24] on this occasion, he took exception to certainproposals seeking to abridge the franchise, and pointed out the wisdom of reposing faith in the common men andwomen of India as a whole, rather than in some elite section of society.In these addresses, he articulated opinions which departed in many ways from certain views of the A. B. Vajpayeegovernment.[18][25]

Exercise of Presidential discretionPresident Narayanan introduced the important practice of explaining to the nation (by means of Rashtrapati Bhavancommuniqués) the thinking that led to the various decisions he took while exercising his discretionary powers; thishas led to openness and transparency in the functioning of the President.Appointment of the Prime minister and dissolution of ParliamentDuring his Presidency, Narayanan dissolved the Lok Sabha twice after determining through consultations across thepolitical spectrum, that no one was in a position to secure the confidence of the house. Congress president SitaramKesri withdrew his party's support of the I. K. Gujral government and staked his claim to form the government on 28November 1997. Gujral advised Narayanan of the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. President Narayanan determinedthat no one would be able to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha and accepted Gujral's advice[26] (4 December). Inthe ensuing general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party, leading thelargest pre-election coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the coalition leader Vajpayee staked hisclaim to form the government, though at that point he did not have a majority. Narayanan asked Vajpayee to furnishletters of support to demonstrate the NDA's ability to secure a majority. Vajpayee was able to meet this demand aftersupport for the NDA grew, and subsequently he was appointed Prime Minister[27] (15 March 1998) on the condition(which was met) that a vote of confidence be secured within 10 days.[17]

One of the coalition partners supporting the minority government (the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam under J. Jayalalithaa) wrote a letter to the President withdrawing support on 14 April 1999, and Narayanan advised Vajpayee to seek a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha. This motion was defeated (17 April). Both Vajpayee and

K. R. Narayanan 51

the Leader of the Opposition, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, then staked claims to form the government.Narayanan asked the NDA and the Congress party to show proof of support since the loss of the confidence vote.When evidence from neither party was forthcoming, Narayanan informed the Prime minister that fresh electionsseemed to be the only way to resolve the crisis in governance. The Lok Sabha was then dissolved at Vajpayee'sadvice[28] (26 April). (In the ensuing general elections, the NDA secured a majority and Vajpayee was reappointedPrime minister[29] (11 October 1999) in a straightforward manner.)In these decisions, President Narayanan set a new precedent concerning the appointment of a Prime minister — if noparty or pre-election coalition had a majority, then a person would be appointed Prime minister only if he was able toconvince the President (through letters of support from allied parties) of his ability to secure the confidence of thehouse. In doing so, he diverged from the actions of his predecessors who had been faced with the task of appointinga Prime minister from a hung parliament, Presidents N. Sanjiva Reddy, R. Venkataraman, and Shankar DayalSharma: the latter two had followed the practice of inviting the leader of the single largest party or pre-electioncoalition to form the government without investigating their ability to secure the confidence of the house.Imposition of President's rulePresident Narayanan returned for reconsideration the advices from the Union cabinet to impose President's rule in astate, in accordance with Article 356, in two instances: one from the Gujral government (22 October 1997) seekingto dismiss the Kalyan Singh government in Uttar Pradesh,[30] and the other from the Vajpayee government (25September 1998) seeking to dismiss the Rabri Devi government in Bihar.[31] In both instances, he cited the Supremecourt judgement of 1994 on S. R. Bommai vs. Union of India and exercised his discretion. In both cases, the cabinethonoured the President's reservations. These remain the only occasions when a President urged such areconsideration, and has set an important precedent concerning federalism and the rights of state governments.Kargil conflictA military conflict was developed in Kargil on the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan in May 1999. The Vajpayeegovernment had lost a no-confidence vote in Lok Sabha earlier that year and the opposition failed to form the nextgovernment. The Lok Sabha had been dissolved and a caretaker government was in office. This caused a problemwith democratic accountability, as every major government decision is expected to be discussed, deliberated andconsented by the parliament. Narayanan suggested to Vajpayee that the Rajya Sabha be convened to discuss theconflict, as demanded by several opposition parties (citing the precedent of Nehru convening a parliamentary sessionon Vajpayee's demand during the Sino-Indian war in 1962 ) though there was no precedent of convening the RajyaSabha in isolation during an interregnum.[32] Further, Narayanan was briefed by the chiefs of the three arms of theIndian Armed Forces on the conduct of the conflict. His Republic day address next year[19] began by paying homageto the soldiers who had died defending the nation.

Concern for social and economic justicePresident Narayanan in his speeches consistently sought to remind the nation of its duties and obligations towardsthe Dalits and Adivasis, the minorities, and the poor and downtrodden. He called the nation's attention to variousrecalcitrant social ills and evils, such as atrocities against women and children, caste discrimination and the ingrainedattitudes it nurtured, abuse of the environment and public utilities, corruption and lack of accountability in thedelivery of public services, religious fundamentalism, advertisement-driven consumerism, and flouting of humanrights, and lamented the absence of public concern, political debate, and civic action to address them. Drawing fromthe experiences of his own home state Kerala, he pointed out that education was at the root of human and economicdevelopment. He hoped that the establishment would not fear the awakening of the masses through education, andspoke of the need to have faith in the people.[2][19][33]

President Narayanan spoke on various occasions on the condition of the Dalits, Adivasis, and other backward sections of society, and the various iniquities they faced (often in defiance of law), such as denial of civic amenities, ostracism, harassment and violence (particularly against women), and displacement by ill-conceived development

K. R. Narayanan 52

projects.[19][24][34]

He felt that the policy of reservations for the backward sections in education and the public sector had remainedunfulfilled due to administrative distortions and narrow interpretations, and needed to be implemented with renewedvigour and sincerity; apprehensive of what he described as a counter-revolution among some privileged sectionsseeking to reverse progressive policies, he reminded the nation that these benefits were not charity, but had beenprovided by way of human rights and social justice to sections constituting a large portion of the population andcontributing to the economy as landless agricultural labourers and industrial workers.[19] In his 2002 Republic dayaddress,[35] he drew attention to the Bhopal declaration[36] on the Dalit and Adivasi agenda for the 21st century andspoke of the necessity of the private sector adopting policies to promote equitable representation of the backwardsections in their enterprises. In a governmental note on higher judicial appointments (which leaked to the press;[37]

January 1999), he observed that eligible persons from the backward sections were available and that theirunder-representation or non-representation was not justifiable;[38] K. G. Balakrishnan, a Dalit, was elevated to theSupreme court (8 June 2000), the fourth such instance, and the only one since 1989.He felt that Ambedkar's exhortation to "educate, organise, agitate" continued to be relevant; with the Dalits forminga quarter of the population in a democracy with universal adult franchise, he felt that the ultimate destiny of thebackward sections lay in the hands of the backward sections themselves, organised socially and politically.[34]

When the Australian missionary and social worker Graham Staines and his two minor sons were burned alive (22January 1999), President Narayanan condemned it as a barbarous crime belonging to the world's inventory of blackdeeds.[39]

Towards the end of his Presidency, communal riots broke out in Gujarat (February 2002). President Narayanan wasdeeply pained and anguished, and described it as a grave crisis of the society and the nation; he called it the duty ofevery Indian to strive to restore peace and thus preserve and strengthen the foundations of the state and the traditionof tolerance. He did not stand the election for a second Presidential term due to the lack of support from the rulinggovernment. After the demission of Presidential office, he lent his support to alternative globalisation movementslike the World Social Forum.[40][41][42] After he had left the Presidency, and after the Vajpayee government had beenvoted out of power in the general elections of May 2004, in an interview on the third anniversary of the riots (inFebruary 2005), he said;[8]

There was governmental and administrative support for the communal riots in Gujarat. I gave several letters toPrime Minister Vajpayee in this regard on this issue. I met him personally and talked to him directly. ButVajpayee did not do anything effective.I requested him to send the army to Gujarat and suppress the riots. The military was sent, but they were notgiven powers to shoot. If the military was given powers to shoot at the perpetrators of violence, recurrence oftragedies in Gujarat could have been avoided.However, both the state(the Narendra Modi government) and central government did not do so. I feel therewas a conspiracy involving the state and central governments behind the Gujarat riots.

He also stated that constitutional limits on his powers had prevented him from doing anything further.[43]

Throughout his Presidency, Narayanan adopted the policy of not visiting places of worship or godmen/godwomen;he is the only President to have followed this practice.

Demission of officeAs Narayanan's tenure neared its end, various sections of public opinion looked forward to a second term of his Presidency. The NDA had a slender majority in the electoral college. Narayanan offered to be a consensus candidate. The Opposition parties (including the Congress, the Left Front, Janata Dal (Secular), and various regional parties) supported a second term for him, and Sonia Gandhi met him to request his candidature; Vajpayee then met Narayanan, informed him that there was no consensus within the NDA on the question, and advised against his

K. R. Narayanan 53

candidature. The NDA then proposed to elevate the Vice-President Krishan Kant as a consensus; this drew supportfrom the Opposition and an agreement to this effect was conveyed by Vajpayee's representative to the Congress.However, within a day, the NDA unable to reach an internal consensus, decided to propose another candidate Dr.P.C. Alexander. Alexander's candidature drew disapproval of the Opposition parties. The Opposition partiesapproached Narayanan and renewed their request to seek a second term. The NDA then put forth a third candidateAbdul Kalam as their official choice, without seeking consensus; one opposition party (the Samajwadi Party underMulayam Singh Yadav) dissipated the unity of the Opposition by supporting this proposal. Narayanan opted himselfout from a contest at this point.[44][45]

When asked about these events later,[8] Narayanan accused the BJP of scuttling a second term of his Presidency.In his farewell address to the nation[46] (24 July 2002), K. R. Narayanan set his hopes for social action and progresson the service of the nation by its youth. He reflected on his varied experiences of the essential goodness and wisdomof the Indian people, recalling how he had grown up in Uzhavoor among adherents of several religions, howreligious tolerance and harmony had prevailed, how upper-caste Hindus and well-off Christians had helped him inhis early studies, and how upper-caste Hindus as well as Christians and Muslims had worked togetherenthusiastically for his election campaigns in Ottapalam. He said that the credibility and endurance of India's unityand democracy are founded on its tradition of tolerance, and spoke of the need for Hindus, who form the majority, toexpress the traditional spirit of their religion.Reflecting on his Presidency, K. R. Narayanan said:[8]

As the President of India, I had lots of experiences that were full of pain and helplessness. There wereoccasions when I could do nothing for people and for the nation. These experiences have pained me alot. They have depressed me a lot. I have agonised because of the limitations of power. Power and thehelplessness surrounding it are a peculiar tragedy, in fact.

Subsequent lifeAfter his retirement as President, K. R. Narayanan, along with his wife Usha, lived his remaining years in a centralDelhi bungalow (on 34 Prithviraj Road).At the World Social Forum (WSF) in Mumbai (21 January 2004), he lent his support to the alternative globalisationmovement. Addressing the forum at its concluding session, he praised the WSF for demanding freedom in its mostcomprehensive form, and was happy that people had assembled under an important idea, rather than for narrowpolitical ends; after reflecting on corporations displacing governments in various countries, and on how MahatmaGandhi had fought British colonisers non-violently with the strength of the masses, he predicted that vocal massesthe world over would successfully fight by non-violent means the capturing of the world's resources by a fewcorporations in the name of globalisation. He urged the people to struggle against power corporates and militarismand fight those aspects of globalisation which were against the interests of the people; he hailed people's power as arenascent factor of international politics.K. R. Narayanan dedicated (15 February 2005) his tharavaadu at Uzhavoor to the Santhigiri Ashram in Pothencodefor the purpose of establishing the Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru research centre for Siddha and Ayurveda.[47]

This turned out to be his last return to Uzhavoor.K. R. Narayanan died on 9 November 2005 at the Army Research and Referral Hospital, New Delhi, after beingbriefly ill with pneumonia and consequent renal failure. He was cremated with full state honors at sunset thefollowing day; the last rites were performed by his nephew Dr. P. V. Ramachandran, at Ekta sthal on the banks ofthe River Yamuna (adjacent to Shanti van, the memorial of his mentor Jawaharlal Nehru).His daughter, Chitra (Indian ambassador to Switzerland & The Holy See), on behalf of her mother (Usha), sister (Amrita), and the rest of his family, expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of grief from all over the country and abroad; she added that K. R. Narayanan would be remembered for his great love for the nation and for his

K. R. Narayanan 54

immense moral strength and courage.Four siblings, K. R. Gowri, K. R. Bhargavi, K. R. Bharathi, and K. R. Bhaskaran, survived him; two elder brothershad died when Narayanan was in his twenties. His elder sister Gowri (a homoeopath, who remained unmarried) andhis younger brother Bhaskaran (a teacher, also unmarried) had been living in Uzhavoor. Villagers of Uzhavoormarched silently to the tharavaadu of K. R. Narayanan and paid him reverent homage.From the sidelines of societyAbout his life and its message,[48] K. R. Narayanan said:

I see and understand both the symbolic as well as the substantive elements of my life. Sometimes Ivisualise it as a journey of an individual from a remote village on the sidelines of society to the hub ofsocial standing. But at the same time I also realise that my life encapsulates the ability of the democraticsystem to accommodate and empower marginalised sections of society.

Narayanan died in New Delhi at the age of 85.

The K. R. Narayanan FoundationThe K. R. Narayanan Foundation [49] (K.R.N.F) founded in December 2005, aims at propagating the ideals andperpetuating the memory of K. R. Narayanan. K.R.N.F is a mission of collective action to provide better future to themost vulnerable sections of Kerala Society - women, children, disabled persons, the aged and other disadvantagedgroups - by providing educational training, protecting their health and environment, improving their livingconditions and strengthneing their family and community. The paradigms of K.R.N.F revolves around five crucialelements;•• research and development on science and technology for the dissemination of eco-friendly rural technology to the

poor•• human resource development•• attitudinal change and self management•• economic empowerment to the poor.The Foundation is to identify and honor the best in areas of national importance like Integrity in Public Life,Journalism, Civil Service, Medical Science, Social Service, Literature, Sports, Entertainment, Politics etc.K.R.N.F is also producing a documentary (both in Malayalam and English) on the life of K. R. Narayanan, entitledThe Footprints Of Survival [50], aimed at propagating the ideals and perpetuating the memory of K.R.Narayanan.This documentary will be directed by Mr. Sunny Joseph, a senior journalist. The script will be based on a biographyof the late President written by Eby J. Jose, who is also the General Secretary of the K.R.N.F. The Foundation hasplanned to distribute DVD copies of the creative work to all schools, colleges and public libraries.The Foundation General Secretary Eby J. Jose [51] has written a biography of the late president titled K. R.Narayanan Bharathathinte Suryathejassu [52]. It is written in Malayalam, the mother tongue of Dr. K. R. Narayanan.This book traces the not-so-rosy paths through which this great man had to travel.

K. R. Narayanan 55

References[1] Manmohan Singh: Condolence message (http:/ / pmindia. nic. in/ prelease/ pcontent. asp?id=351). Retrieved 24 February 2006.[2] Interview (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ thehindu/ nic/ narayanankr. pdf) with K. R. Narayanan on Independence day, 15 Aug. 1998; by N. Ram,

Editor, Frontline ["K. R. Narayanan in conversation with N. Ram", The Hindu, 10 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006].[3] K. R. Narayanan's interview with M. K. Gandhi, 10 Apr. 1945; given in full in H. Y. Sharada Prasad: "How an interview with Gandhi was

spiked" (http:/ / www. iht. com/ getina/ files/ 271049. html), The Asian Age, n.d. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[4] LSE counts K. R. Narayanan among its distinguished alumni (http:/ / www. lse. ac. uk/ collections/ LSEIndia/ pastAndPresent. htm); his

portrait (http:/ / www. lse. edu/ collections/ pressAndInformationOffice/ newsAndEvents/ archives/ 2000-2002/ pressrelease-india. htm) hasbeen unveiled and placed in a position of honour; B. R. Ambedkar is the only other Indian to have been similarly honoured. . Retrieved 24February 2006.

[5] Some of his experiences as a Tata fellow are recounted here (http:/ / www. tata. com/ 0_about_us/ history/ lasting_legacies/20040811_k_narayanan. htm). . Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[6] Gopalkrishna Gandhi: "A remarkable life-story" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print. pl?file=20051202005812900. htm&date=fl2224/ & prd=fline& ), Frontline 22 (24), 5-18 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[7] Haresh Pandya: "K. R. Narayanan: Indian president from downtrodden caste" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ india/ story/ 0,,1652976,00.html), The Guardian, 29 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 6 March 2006.

[8] P. T. Thomas: "Interview with K. R. Narayanan", Maanavasamskruthi 1 (8), February 2005, in Malayalam. English translation of part of theinterview, at CHRO web page: Part I (http:/ / www. nuke. humanrightskerala. com/ modules. php?op=modload& name=News& file=article&sid=5090); Part II (http:/ / www. nuke. humanrightskerala. com/ modules. php?op=modload& name=News& file=article& sid=5097).Additional translation of question on his relationship with the Left front in "Narayanan criticises Vajpayee for Gujarat riots" (http:/ / www.hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print. pl?file=2005030308811100. htm& date=2005/ 03/ 03/ & prd=th& ), The Hindu, 10 Nov. 2005.Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[9] His speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010508171719) at Peking University while on a state visit, briefly describes hisvision of relations between India and China. (Retrieved 24 February 2006.) Narayanan spoke Chinese, and had a scholarly knowledge ofChinese culture and history, particularly the cultural exchanges between the two countries. His visit as President eased tensions that haddeveloped with China after the Pokhran nuclear tests.

[10] His banquet speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=D33180) welcoming Bill Clinton to Rashtrapati Bhavan brieflydescribes his vision of relations between India and the USA. . Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[11] "Chitra Narayanan concurrently accredited Ambassador to Holy See" (http:/ / news. oneindia. in/ 2008/ 08/ 07/chitra-narayanan-concurrently-accredited-ambassador-to-holy-see-1218119649. html). News.oneindia.in. 2008-08-07. . Retrieved 2012-01-10.

[12] Results of Presidential poll (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19970801044230/ alfa. nic. in/ hm/ p1. html), 17 Jul. 1997. Archived Aug. 1997.[13] Diwanji, Amberish K. (1997). "The importance of a dalit President" (http:/ / us. rediff. com/ news/ jul/ 11amber. htm). Rediff. . Retrieved

2006-05-02.[14] K. R. Narayanan: Inaugural address (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19970804210818/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ krn_asum. htm), 25 Jul. 1997.

Archived Aug. 1997.[15] K. R. Narayanan: Address on the golden jubilee of Indian independence (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010620191911),

15 Aug. 1997. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[16] I. K. Gujral: Address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red fort on the golden jubilee of Indian independence (http:/ / www. india50.

com/ speecH1. html), 15 Aug. 1997. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[17] Sukumar Muralidharan: "A role for the President" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1505/ 15050260. htm), Frontline 15 (5), 7-20 Mar.

1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[18] Sukumar Muralidharan: "A presidential intervention" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1803/ 18031200. htm), Frontline 18 (3), 3-16 Feb. 2001.

Retrieved 24 February 2006.[19] K. R. Narayanan: Address to the nation on the golden jubilee of the Republic (http:/ / www. indiatogether. org/ opinions/ speeches/ krn2000.

htm), 26 Jan. 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[20] V. Venkatesan: "A wake-up call" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1703/ 17030280. htm), Frontline 17 (3), 5-18 Feb. 2000. Retrieved

17 March 2006.[21] Ammu Joseph: "Areas of darkness" (http:/ / www. humanscape. org/ Humanscape/ 2000/ April/ hs40012t. htm), Humanscape, April 2000[22] P. Sainath: "Iron in the soul, decay in the brain" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1703/ 17030290. htm), Frontline 17 (3), 5-18 Feb.

2000. Retrieved 17 March 2006.[23] K. R. Narayanan: Address to parliament on the golden jubilee of the Republic (http:/ / www. india-seminar. com/ 2000/ 487/ 487 narayanan.

htm), 26 Jan. 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[24] K. R. Narayanan: Address on Republic day (http:/ / meaindia. nic. in/ speech/ 2001/ 01/ 25spc01. htm), 26 Jan. 2001. Retrieved 24 February

2006.[25] Sukumar Muralidharan, V. Venkatesan: "A presidential intervention" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1703/ 17030250. htm), Frontline 17 (3),

5 - 18 Feb. 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[26] K. R. Narayanan: Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the dissolution of the eleventh Lok Sabha (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/

19980119180543/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr003. htm), 4 Dec, 1997. Archived Jan. 1998.

K. R. Narayanan 56

[27] K. R. Narayanan: Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the appointment of the Prime minister (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/19990218135627/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr032. htm), 15 Mar. 1998. Archived Feb. 1999.

[28] K. R. Narayanan: Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the dissolution of the twelfth Lok Sabha (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/20010220235512/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr119. htm), 26 Apr. 1999. Archived Feb. 2001.

[29] K. R. Narayanan: Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the appointment of the Prime minister (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/20001012185035/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr160. htm), 11 Oct. 1999. Archived Oct. 2000

[30] Venkitesh Ramakrishnan, Praveen Swami: "A crisis defused" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1422/ 14220040. htm), Frontline 14 (22), 1-14Nov. 1997. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[31] Praveen Swami, Sudha Mahalingam: "The BJP's Bihar fiasco" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ fline/ fl1521/ 15210040. htm), Frontline 15 (21),10-23 Oct. 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[32] V. Venkatesan: "Political echoes" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1615/ 16150230. htm), Frontline 16 (15), 17-30 Jul. 1999.Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[33] K. R. Narayanan: Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010618202022) while inaugurating the new complex of theKerala Legislature, 22 May 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[34] K. R. Narayanan: Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20000607182210/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ dalit98. htm) on the first World convention ofthe Dalit international organisation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11 Oct. 1998. Archived Jun. 2006.

[35] K. R. Narayanan: Address on Republic day (http:/ / meaindia. nic. in/ event/ 2002/ 01/ 25event01. htm), 26 Jan. 2002. Retrieved 24 February2006.

[36] Bhopal declaration (http:/ / www. ambedkar. org/ News/ TheBhopalDeclaration. htm). Retrieved 24 February 2006.[37] V. K. Madhavan Kutty: "Behind the leak" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1603/ 16030240. htm), Frontline 16 (3), 30 Jan. - 12 Feb.

1999. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[38] Sukumar Muralidharan: "Wanted intervention, phoney controversy" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1603/ 16030220. htm),

Frontline 16 (3), 30 Jan. - 12 Feb. 1999. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[39] K. R. Narayanan: Letter (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19991008051634/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr092. htm) on the murder of Graham Staines

and his two minor sons, 24 Jan. 1999. Archived Oct. 1999.[40] President stays away from Holi celebrations (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020821204337/ presidentofindia. nic. in/ S/ html/

press_release/ press-new/ pr370. htm), 28 Mar. 2002. Archived Aug. 2002.[41] Press release (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020823091659/ presidentofindia. nic. in/ S/ html/ press_release/ press-new/ pr381. htm) on

the President meeting with victims of Gujarat violence, 27 Apr. 2002. Archived Aug. 2002.[42] K. R. Narayanan: Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020823092104/ presidentofindia. nic. in/ S/ html/ press_release/ press-new/

pr383. htm) to the nation on Gujarat violence, 29 Apr. 2002. Archived Aug. 2002.[43] "Constitution limited my powers: Narayanan" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print. pl?file=2005030408891100. htm&

date=2005/ 03/ 04/ & prd=th& ), The Hindu, 3 Mar. 2005. Retrieved March 2006.[44] Purnima S. Tripathi, Sukumar Muralidharan: "Elusive consensus" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1912/ 19120270. htm), Frontline

19 (12), 8-21 Jun. 2002. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[45] V. Venkatesan: "The political dynamics" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1913/ 19130110. htm), Frontline 19 (13), 22 Jun.-5 Jul.

2002. Retrieved 24 February 2006.[46] K. R. Narayanan: Farewell address to the nation (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=020725151520), 24 Jul. 2002. Retrieved

24 February 2006.[47] Manmohan Singh: Speech (http:/ / pmindia. nic. in/ speech/ content. asp?id=74) on the dedication of K. R. Narayanan's tharavaadu for

establishing a research centre in Indian medicine ( Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru research centre for Siddha and Ayurveda (http:/ / www.santhigiri. org/ conf2005/ about_conf. html)), 15 Feb. 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[48] Venkitesh Ramakrishnan: "Citizen President" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl2224/ stories/ 20051202005012500. htm), Frontline 22 (24),5-18 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

[49] http:/ / www. krnarayananfoundation. com[50] http:/ / www. krnarayananfoundation. com/ Documentaryfilm. htm[51] http:/ / www. ebyjjose. com[52] http:/ / www. krnarayananfoundation. com/ KRNarayananBiography. htm

K. R. Narayanan 57

ReferencesPresidential addresses and other documents• Inaugural address (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19970804210818/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ krn_asum. htm); 25 July

1997. Archived Aug. 1997.• Address on the golden jubilee of Indian independence (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article.

php3?fl=010620191911); 15 August 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the dissolution of the eleventh Lok Sabha (http:/ / web. archive. org/

web/ 19980119180543/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr003. htm); 4 December 1997. Archived Jan. 1998.• Address on Republic day (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20000616105818/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ rday/ R1998. HTM);

26 January 1998. Archived Jun. 2000.• Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the appointment of the Prime minister (http:/ / web. archive. org/

web/ 19990218135627/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr032. htm); 15 March 1998. Archived Feb. 1999.• Related communiques: 10 March (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19990218105252/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr029.

htm); 12 March (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19990503144346/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr030. htm); 13 March(http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19990218125503/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr031. htm). Archived Feb. 1999.

• Interview (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ thehindu/ nic/ narayanankr. pdf) on Independence day; 15 August 1998; byN. Ram, Editor, Frontline ["K. R. Narayanan in conversation with N. Ram", The Hindu, 10 Nov. 2005. Retrieved24 Feb. 2006].• Commentary: Praveen Swami: "A citizen and a President" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1518/

15181320. htm), Frontline 15 (18), 29 Aug. - 11 Sep. 1998. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Address on Republic day (http:/ / www. indianembassy. org/ inews/ January(2)99/ president(RD). htm); 26

January 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the dissolution of the twelfth Lok Sabha (http:/ / web. archive. org/

web/ 20010220235512/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr119. htm); 26 April 1999. Archived Feb. 2001.• Related communiques: 14 April (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20010220235112/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr112.

htm); 17 April (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20010220235554/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr113. htm); 20 April (http:// web. archive. org/ web/ 20010220235535/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr114. htm); 22 April (http:/ / web. archive. org/web/ 20010220235229/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr116. htm); 23 April (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/20010425070155/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr118. htm). Archived Feb. 2001.

• Address on the golden jubilee of the Indian Republic (http:/ / www. indiatogether. org/ opinions/ speeches/krn2000. htm); 26 January 2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Commentary: P. Sainath: "Iron in the soul, decay in the brain" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1703/

17030290. htm), Frontline 17 (3), 5 - 18 Feb. 2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Commentary: V. Venkatesan: "A wake-up call" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1703/ 17030280. htm),

Frontline 17 (3), 5 - 18 Feb. 2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Address in Parliament, and in the Supreme court, on the golden jubilee of the Republic (http:/ / www.

india-seminar. com/ 2000/ 487/ 487 narayanan. htm); 26 January 2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Commentary: Sukumar Muralidharan, V. Venkatesan: "A presidential intervention" (http:/ / www. flonnet.

com/ fl1703/ 17030250. htm), Frontline 17 (3), 5 - 18 Feb. 2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Address on Republic day (http:/ / meaindia. nic. in/ speech/ 2001/ 01/ 25spc01. htm); 26 January 2001. Retrieved

24 Feb. 2006.• Commentary: Sukumar Muralidharan: "A presidential intervention" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1803/

18031200. htm), Frontline 18 (3), 3-16 Feb. 2001. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Address on Republic day (http:/ / meaindia. nic. in/ event/ 2002/ 01/ 25event01. htm); 26 January 2002. Retrieved

24 Feb. 2006.

K. R. Narayanan 58

• Bhopal declaration (http:/ / www. ambedkar. org/ News/ TheBhopalDeclaration. htm). Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Commentary: V. Venkatesan: "A presidential message" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1903/ 19031240.

htm), Frontline 19 (3), 2-15 Feb. 2001. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Farewell address in Parliament (http:/ / in. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jul/ 25guest. htm); 22 July 2002. Retrieved 24

Feb. 2006.• Farewell address to the nation (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=020725151520); 24 July 2002.

Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Interview of February 2005 in which K. R. Narayanan accused the A. B. Vajpayee Government of complicity in

the 2002 Gujarat riots; by P. T. Thomas, Congress legislator from Thodupuzha in the Kerala LegislativeAssembly, and Editor, Maanavasamskruthi. ["Interview with K. R. Narayanan", Maanavasamskruthi 1 (8),February 2005, in Malayalam. English translation of part of the interview, at CHRO web page: Part I (http:/ /www. nuke. humanrightskerala. com/ modules. php?op=modload& name=News& file=article& sid=5090); PartII (http:/ / www. nuke. humanrightskerala. com/ modules. php?op=modload& name=News& file=article&sid=5097). Additional translation of question on his relationship with the Left front in "Narayanan criticisesVajpayee for Gujarat riots" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ 2005/ 03/ 03/ stories/ 2005030308811100. htm), TheHindu, 10 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.]

Miscellaneous speeches and writings• K. R. Narayanan's interview with M. K. Gandhi, 10 April 1945; given in full in H. Y. Sharada Prasad: "How an

interview with Gandhi was spiked" (http:/ / www. iht. com/ getina/ files/ 271049. html), The Asian Age, n.d.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010618202022) while inaugurating the new complex ofthe Kerala Legislature; 22 May 1998. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20000607182210/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ dalit98. htm) on the first Worldconvention of the Dalit international organisation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 11 October 1998. Archived Jun.2006.

• Letter (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19991008051634/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr092. htm) on the murder of GrahamStaines and his two minor sons; 24 January 1999. Archived Oct. 1999.

• Speech (http:/ / nhrc. nic. in/ speeches. htm#no3) on Human rights day; 10 December 2001. Retrieved 24 Feb.2006.

• President stays away from Holi celebrations (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020821204337/ presidentofindia.nic. in/ S/ html/ press_release/ press-new/ pr370. htm); 28 March 2002. Archived Aug. 2002.

• Press release (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020823091659/ presidentofindia. nic. in/ S/ html/ press_release/press-new/ pr381. htm) on the President meeting with victims of Gujarat violence; 27 April 2002. Archived Aug.2002.

• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020823092104/ presidentofindia. nic. in/ S/ html/ press_release/press-new/ pr383. htm) to the nation on Gujarat violence; 29 April 2002. Archived Aug. 2002.

• "India empowered" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ print. php?content_id=81709), Indian Express, 26 October2005. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

Other links concerning his life• St. Mary's High School, Kuravilangad (http:/ / www. stmarykuravilangad. org/ Pilgrim. htm). Retrieved 24 Feb.

2006.• C. M. S. College, Kottayam (http:/ / www. cmscoll. com). Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• University College, Trivandrum (http:/ / www. universitycollege. org/ innerbody_message. html). Retrieved 24

Feb. 2006.• J. N. Tata Scholarship (http:/ / www. tata. com/ 0_about_us/ history/ lasting_legacies/ 20040811_k_narayanan.

htm). Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

K. R. Narayanan 59

• London School of Economics (http:/ / www. lse. ac. uk/ collections/ LSEIndia/ pastAndPresent. htm); K. R.Narayanan's portrait unveiled at LSE (http:/ / www. lse. edu/ collections/ pressAndInformationOffice/newsAndEvents/ archives/ 2000-2002/ pressrelease-india. htm). Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Interview with K. R. Gowri and K. R. Bhaskaran, K. R. Narayanan's siblings in Uzhavoor, after theannouncement of his candidature for the Presidency (http:/ / rediff. co. in/ news/ jul/ 28pres. htm), Rediff, 1997.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Results of Presidential poll (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19970801044230/ alfa. nic. in/ hm/ p1. html); 17 July1997. Archived Aug. 1997.

• Assumption of office as President (http:/ / www. indianembassy. org/ inews/ aug15. pdf), 25 July 1997; IndiaNews, 1-15 Aug. 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Prime minister I. K. Gujral's address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red fort on the golden jubilee ofIndian independence (http:/ / www. india50. com/ speecH1. html); 15 August 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Biography at Rashtrapati Bhavan during President K. R. Narayanan's term in office (http:/ / web. archive. org/web/ 20020203232752/ presidentofindia. nic. in/ S/ current_president. htm); Biography of First Lady UshaNarayanan (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020204025546/ http:/ / presidentofindia. nic. in/ S/ html/ poilady.htm). Archived Feb. 2002.

• Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru research centre for Siddha and Ayurveda (http:/ / www. santhigiri. org/conf2005/ about_conf. html). Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Prime minister Manmohan Singh's speech (http:/ / pmindia. nic. in/ speech/ content. asp?id=74) on the dedicationof K. R. Narayanan's tharavaadu for establishing a research centre in Indian medicine; 15 February 2005.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Mari Marcel Thekaekara: "A President to be proud of" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print.pl?file=2005042204071100. htm& date=2005/ 04/ 22/ & prd=th& ), The Hindu, 22 April 2005. Retrieved 24 Feb.2006.• Commentary: Mari Marcel Thekaekara: "Insight into the person" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/

thscrip/ print. pl?file=2005111107271100. htm& date=2005/ 11/ 11/ & prd=th& ), The Hindu, 11 November2005. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

Commentary by journalists• Amberish K. Diwanji: "The importance of a Dalit President" (http:/ / us. rediff. com/ news/ jul/ 11amber. htm),

Rediff, Jul. 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Praveen Swami: "From demon to god" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1422/ 14220160. htm), Frontline 14 (22),

1-14 Nov. 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Cites the report: "Dalit Hindu or Christian?" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ jun/ 23presd. htm), Rediff, 1997.

Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Ajay Singh: "MAN OF HIS TIME" (http:/ / www. asiaweek. com/ asiaweek/ 97/ 1114/ is1. html),Asiaweek,Nov

14, 1997. Retrieved 18 Mar. 2006.• Venkitesh Ramakrishnan, Praveen Swami: "A crisis defused" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1422/ 14220040.

htm), Frontline 14 (22), 1-14 Nov. 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Sukumar Muralidharan: "A role for the President" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1505/ 15050260. htm),

Frontline 15 (5), 7-20 Mar. 1998. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Praveen Swami, Sudha Mahalingam: "The BJP's Bihar fiasco" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ fline/ fl1521/

15210040. htm), Frontline 15 (21), 10-23 Oct. 1998. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Sukumar Muralidharan: "Wanted intervention, phoney controversy" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/

fl1603/ 16030220. htm), Frontline 16 (3), 30 Jan. - 12 Feb. 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• V. K. Madhavan Kutty: "Behind the leak" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1603/ 16030240. htm), Frontline

16 (3), 30 Jan. - 12 Feb. 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

K. R. Narayanan 60

• V. Venkatesan: "Political echoes" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1615/ 16150230. htm), Frontline 16(15), 17-30 Jul. 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Praveen Swami: "A new chief for the Army" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl2002/ stories/20030131005403400. htm), Frontline 20 (2), 18-31 Jan. 2003. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Purnima S. Tripathi, Sukumar Muralidharan: "Elusive consensus" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1912/19120270. htm), Frontline 19 (12), 8-21 Jun. 2002. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• V. Venkatesan: "The political dynamics" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1913/ 19130110. htm),Frontline 19 (13), 22 Jun.-5 Jul. 2002. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• A. G. Noorani: "The Indian Presidency" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1913/ 19130090. htm), Frontline 19 (13),22 Jun.-5 Jul. 2002. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006

• Sukumar Muralidharan: "Distinction and dignity: an assessment of K. R. Narayanan's eventful Presidentialtenure" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl1916/ 19161270. htm), Frontline 19 (16), 3-16 Aug. 2002. Retrieved 24Feb. 2006.

• A. G. Noorani: "The legacy of a President" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jul/ 23spec. htm), Rediff, 23Jul. 2002. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Siriyavan Anand: "Caste, religion, and the Indian Presidency" (http:/ / www. himalmag. com/ 2002/ july/ opinion.htm), Himal, Jul. 2002. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

Obituaries and reminiscences• Editorial of The Hindu: "A salute to Citizen Narayanan" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print.

pl?file=2005111005821000. htm& date=2005/ 11/ 10/ & prd=th& ), The Hindu, 10 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 Feb.2006.

• Gopalkrishna Gandhi: "KRN at the high table" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print.pl?file=2005111203191000. htm& date=2005/ 11/ 12/ & prd=th& ), The Hindu, 12 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 Feb.2006.

• Gopalkrishna Gandhi: "A remarkable life-story" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print.pl?file=20051202005812900. htm& date=fl2224/ & prd=fline& ), Frontline 22 (24), 5-18 Nov. 2005. Retrieved24 Feb. 2006.

• Chandrabhan Prasad: "Losing a mentor" (http:/ / www. dailypioneer. com/ columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist& file_name=PRASAD138. txt& writer=PRASAD& validit=yes), The Pioneer, 13Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Venkitesh Ramakrishnan: "Citizen President" (http:/ / www. flonnet. com/ fl2224/ stories/ 20051202005012500.htm), Frontline 22 (24), 5-18 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• V. B. Rawat: "A tribute to K. R. Narayanan" (http:/ / www. countercurrents. org/ india-rawat151105. htm),Countercurrents, 15 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• P. Sainath: "Compassion at the top" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ thehindu/ thscrip/ print.pl?file=2005111107231100. htm& date=2005/ 11/ 11/ & prd=th& ), The Hindu, 11 November 2005. Retrieved 24Feb. 2006.

• Manmohan Singh: Condolence message (http:/ / pmindia. nic. in/ prelease/ pcontent. asp?id=351), 9 Nov. 2005.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

Biographies• Sita Ram Sharma: K. R. Narayanan: Just the President of India, Sublime Publications, 1998. ISBN 8185809232.• Darshan Singh: K. R. Narayanan: A journey from Uzhavoor to Raisina Hills, United Children's Movement, 1999.• Eby J. Jose: K.R.Narayanan Bharathathinte Suryathejassu (http:/ / www. krnarayananfoundation. com/

KRNarayananBiography. htm), It is written in Malayalam,in the mother tongue of Dr. K.R. Narayanan, publishedby Jeevan Books, Bharananganam, 2006

K. R. Narayanan 61

Further readingBooks by K. R. Narayanan• Nehru and his vision, D. C. Books, Kottayam, 1999. ISBN 8126400390• India and America: essays in understanding, Second edition, Asia book corporation of America, 1998. ISBN

999764137X• Images and insights, D. C. Books, Kottayam.• Non-alignment in contemporary international relations (Joint authorship)Speeches and writings by K. R. Narayanan• Nehru Memorial Lecture: "Nehru's vision of India and the world-- then and now" (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/

20000604054520/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ nehmem. htm); 13 November 1997. Archived Jun. 2000.• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19990503160701/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr035. htm) on the death of E. M. S.

Namboodiripad; 19 March 1998. Archived May 1999.• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20000928200340/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr071. htm) to Nelson Mandela on

his 80th birthday; 17 July 1998. Archived Sep. 2000. ( Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/20010104001300/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr128. htm) on his political retirement. Archived Jan. 2001.)

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010616202047) while dedicating the J. R. D. Tataecotechnology centre; 29 July 1998. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010616202026) while unveiling the statue ofVallabhbhai Patel; 14 August 1998. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Letter (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19991018214648/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr080. htm) to Amartya Sen on hisbeing awarded the Nobel prize for Economics; 14 October 1998. Archived Oct. 1999.

• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19991004205401/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ kps. htm) on the birth centenary of K.P. S. Menon; 18 October 1998. Archived Oct. 1999.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010614191946) on the occasion of Buddha Mahotsav atSarnath; 5 November 1998. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010612202048) while inaugurating the firstInternational congress on agronomy, environment, and food security for the 21st century; 23 November 1998.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19991019002240/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr083. htm) on the death of P. N.Haksar; 28 November 1998. Archived Oct. 1999. ( Commemorative speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/article. php3?fl=010612181840). Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.)

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010612191939) on Judicial reforms; 5 December 1998.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010608181843) on the birth centenary of Field MarshalK. M. Cariappa; 5 June 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010608181801) at the All India Urdu editorsconference; 29 July 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=D14584) while accepting credentials from the VaticanNuncio to India; 30 August 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010606202059) on the golden jubilee of Hindi as theofficial language of India; 14 September 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20000823213108/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr156. htm) to Jiang Zemin on theoccasion of the golden jubilee of the People's Republic of China; 30 September 1999. Archived Aug. 2000.

• Speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010526202014) while unveiling the bust of RajendraPrasad; 3 December 1999. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

K. R. Narayanan 62

• Message (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20010424045611/ alfa. nic. in/ rb/ pr178. htm) on the death of ShankarDayal Sharma; 26 December 1999. Archived Apr. 2001.

• Banquet speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=D33180) on the visit of Bill Clinton; 21 March2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Address (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010508171719) at Peking University; 30 May 2000.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Tribute (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2000/ sep/ 29pres. htm) to Pierre Trudeau; 28 September 2000.Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

• Banquet speech (http:/ / pib. myiris. com/ speech/ article. php3?fl=010413141443) on the visit of Vladimir Putin;3 October 2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

Commentary by journalists• Praveen Swami: "Protecting secularism and federal fair play" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1422/

14220170. htm), Frontline 14 (22), 1-14 Nov. 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• A. G. Noorani: "The BJP and the Bommai case" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1424/ 14240950. htm),

Frontline 14 (24), 29 Nov.-12 Dec. 1997. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• Siriyavan Anand: "Untouchability is no 'internal matter' " (http:/ / www. ambedkar. org/ News/ hl/ Untouchability

Is. htm) Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.• V. Venkatesan: "Judiciary and social justice" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl1721/ 17210960. htm),

Frontline 17 (21), 14-27 Oct. 2000. Retrieved 24 Feb. 2006.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 63

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Abdul Kalam at the 12th Wharton India Economic Forum, 2008

11th President of India

In office25 July 2002 – 25 July 2007

Prime Minister Atal Bihari VajpayeeManmohan Singh

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

Preceded by Kocheril Raman Narayanan

Succeeded by Pratibha Devisingh Patil

Personal details

Born 15 October 1931Rameswaram, British India (present day Tamil Nadu, India)

Alma mater St. Joseph's College, TiruchirappalliMadras Institute of Technology

Profession Professor, Author, scientistAerospace engineer

Religion Islam

Website [www.abdulkalam.com abdulkalam.com]

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (pronunciation; born 15 October 1931) usually referred to as Dr. A. P. J.Abdul Kalam, is an Indian scientist and administrator who served as the 11th President of India. Kalam was bornand raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, studied physics at the St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, and aerospaceengineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), Chennai.Before his term as President, he worked as an aerospace engineer with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).[1] Kalam is popularly known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology.[2] He played a pivotal organizational, technical and political role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 64

original nuclear test by India in 1974. Some scientific experts have however called Kalam a man with no authorityover nuclear physics but who just carried on the works of Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai.[3]

Kalam was elected the President of India in 2002, defeating Lakshmi Sahgal and was supported by both the IndianNational Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, the major political parties of India. He is currently a visitingprofessor at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Management Indore, Chancellor ofthe Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram, a professor of Aerospace Engineering atAnna University (Chennai), JSS University (Mysore) and an adjunct/visiting faculty at many other academic andresearch institutions across India.Kalam advocated plans to develop India into a developed nation by 2020 in his book India 2020. Books authored byhim have received considerable demands in South Korea for the translated versions.[4] He has received severalprestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. Kalam is known for his motivationalspeeches and interaction with the student community in India.[5] He launched his mission for the youth of the nationin 2011 called the What Can I Give Movement with a central theme to defeat corruption in India. Kalam was alsocriticized for inaction as a president on the pending mercy plea petitions, that delayed prosecution of the convicts.Kalam is using Social Media effectively to interact with his followers. [6]

Early life and educationKalam was born on 15 October 1931 to Jainulabdeen, a boat owner and Ashiamma, a housewife, at Rameswaram,located in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[7][8][9][10] He came from a poor background and started working atan early age to supplement his family's income.[11] He was brought up in a multi-religious environment but didfollow a religious routine.[12] After completing school, Kalam distributed newspapers in order to financiallycontribute to his father's income.[11][12] In his school years, he had average grades, but was described as a bright andhardworking student who had a strong desire to learn and spend hours on his studies, especially mathematics.[12]

"I inherited honesty and self-discipline from my father; from my mother, I inherited faith in goodness and deepkindness as did my three brothers and sisters."—A quote from Kalam's autobiography[9]

After completing his school education at the Rameshwaram Elementary School, Kalam went on to attend SaintJoseph's College, Tiruchirappalli where he graduated in physics in 1954.[13] Towards the end of the course, he wasnot enthusiastic about the subject and would later regret the four years he studied it. He then moved to Madras in1955 to study aerospace engineering.[10] While Kalam was working on a senior class project, the Dean wasdissatisfied with the lack of progress and threatened revoking his scholarship unless the project was finished withinthe next two days. He worked tirelessly on his project and met the deadline, impressing the Dean who later said, "I[Dean] was putting you [Kalam] under stress and asking you to meet a difficult deadline".[14]

Career as scientist“This was my first stage, in which I learnt leadership from three great teachers—Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Prof. Satish Dhawan and Dr.Brahm Prakash. This was the time of learning and acquisition of knowledge for me.”

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam[15]

After graduating from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT – Chennai) in 1960, Kalam joined Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as a chief scientist. Kalam started his career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army, but remained unconvinced with the choice of his job at DRDO.[16] Kalam was also part of the INCOSPAR committee working under Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned space scientist.[10] In 1969, Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) where he was the project director of India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near earth orbit in July 1980. Joining ISRO was one of Kalam's biggest achievements

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 65

in life and he is said to have found himself when he started to work on the SLV project. Kalam first started work onan expandable rocket project independently at DRDO in 1965.[1] In 1969, Kalam received the government's approvaland expanded the program to include more engineers.[15]

Kalam addresses engineering students at IITGuwahati

In 1963–64, he visited Nasa's Langley Research Center in HamptonVirginia, Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland andWallops Flight Facility situated at Eastern Shore of Virginia.[8][17]

During the period between the 1970s and 1990s, Kalam made an effortto develop the Polar SLV and SLV-III projects, both of which provedto be success.

Kalam was invited by Raja Ramanna to witness the country's firstnuclear test Smiling Buddha as the representative of TBRL, eventhough he had not participated in the development, test site preparationand weapon designing. In the 1970s, a landmark was achieved by ISRO when the locally built Rohini-1 waslaunched into space, using the SLV rocket.[18] In the 1970s, Kalam also directed two projects, namely, Project Deviland Project Valiant , which sought to develop ballistic missiles from the technology of the successful SLVprogramme.[18] Despite the disapproval of Union Cabinet, Premier Indira Gandhi allotted secret funds for theseaerospace projects through her discretionary powers under Kalam's directorship.[18] Kalam played an integral roleconvincing the Union Cabinet to conceal the true nature of these classified aerospace projects.[18] His research andeducational leadership brought him great laurels and prestige in 1980s, which prompted the government to initiate anadvanced missile program under his directorship.[18] Kalam and Dr. V. S. Arunachalam, metallurgist and scientificadviser to the Defense Minister, worked on the suggestion by the then Defense Minister, R. Venkataraman on aproposal for simulataneous development of a quiver of missiles instead of taking planned missiles one by one.[19] RVenkatraman was instrumental in getting the cabinet approval for allocating 388 crore rupees for the mission, namedIntegrated Guided Missile Development Program (I.G.M.D.P) and appointed Kalam as the Chief Executive.[19]

Kalam played a major part in developing many missiles under the mission including Agni, an intermediate rangeballistic missile and Prithvi, the tactical surface-to-surface missile, although the projects have been criticised formismanagement and cost and time overruns.[19][20] He was the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister andthe Secretary of Defence Research and Development Organisation from July 1992 to December 1999. ThePokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted during this period where he played an intensive political and technologicalrole. Kalam served as the Chief Project Coordinator, along with R. Chidambaram during the testing phase.[8][21]

Photos and snapshots of him taken by the media elevated Kalam as the country's top nuclear scientist.[22]

In 1998, along with cardiologist Dr.Soma Raju, Kalam developed a low cost Coronary stent. It was named as"Kalam-Raju Stent" honouring them.[23][24] In 2012, the duo, designed a rugged tablet PC for health care in ruralareas, which was named as "Kalam-Raju Tablet".[25]

PresidencyAbdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India, succeeding K. R. Narayanan. He won the 2002 presidentialelection with an electoral vote of 922,884, surpassing 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal. He served from 25July 2002 to 25 July 2007.On 10 June 2002, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which was in power at the time, expressed to the leaderof opposition, Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi that they would propose Kalam for the post ofPresident.[26] The Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party backed his candidacy.[27][28] After theSamajwadi Party announced its support for him, President K. R. Narayanan chose not to seek a second term in officeand hence left the field clear for Kalam to become the 11th President of India.[29]

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 66

I am really overwhelmed. Everywhere both in Internet and in other media, I have been asked for a message. Iwas thinking what message I can give to the people of the country at this juncture.—Kalam responding to the announcement of his candidature by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee[30]

On 18 June, Kalam filed his nomination papers in the Parliament of India, accompanied by Vajpayee and his seniorCabinet colleagues.[31]

Kalam along with Vladimir Putin and Manmohan Singhduring his presidency

The polling for the presidential election began on 15 July2002 in the Parliament and the state assemblies with mediaclaiming that the election was a one-sided affair and Kalam'svictory was a foregone conclusion. The counting was held on18 July.[32] Kalam won the presidential election in a highlyone-sided contest. He became the 11th president of theRepublic of India.[33] He moved into the Rashtrapati Bhavanafter he was sworn in on 25 July.[34] Kalam was the thirdPresident of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna,India's highest civilian honour, before becoming the President.Dr. Sarvapali Radhakrishnan (1954) and Dr. Zakir Hussain(1963) were the earlier recipients of Bharat Ratna who laterbecame the President of India.[35] He was also the first scientist and the first bachelor to occupy RashtrapatiBhawan.[36]

During his term as President, he was affectionately known as the People's President.[37][38][39] In his words, signingthe Office of Profit Bill was the toughest decision he had taken during his tenure.[40]

Kalam is criticized for inaction as a President in deciding the fate of 20 out of the 21 mercy petitions.[41] Article 72of the Constitution of India empowers the President of India to grant pardon, suspend and remit death sentences andcommute the death sentence of convicts on death row.[41][42] Kalam acted on only one mercy plea in his 5 yeartenure as a President, rejecting the plea of rapist Dhananjoy Chatterjee, who was hanged thereafter.[41] The mostimportant of the 20 pleas is thought to be that of Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri terrorist who was convicted of conspiracyin the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament and was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of India in2004.[42] While the sentence was scheduled to be carried out on 20 October 2006, the pending action on the mercyplea resulted in him continuing in the death row.[42]

At the end of his term, on 20 June 2007, Kalam expressed his willingness to consider a second term in officeprovided there was certainty about his victory in the 2007 presidential election.[43] However, two days later, hedecided not to contest the Presidential election again stating that he wanted to avoid involving Rashtrapati Bhavanfrom any political processes.[44] He did not have the support of the Left parties, Shiv Sena and UPA constituents toreceive a renewed mandate.[45][46]

Nearing the term expiry of the 12th President Pratibha Patil, whose tenure ends on 24 July 2012, media reports inApril claimed that Kalam was likely to be nominated for his second term.[47][48][49] After the reports, socialnetworking sites were abuzz with activities extending their support for his candidature.[50][51] BJP potentially backedhis nomination, saying that the party will lend their support if Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and IndianNational Congress proposes his name for the 2012 presidential election.[52][53] Just a month ahead of the election,Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee also expressed their support to Kalam and revealed that they bothwould suggest his name.[54] Days after expressing support, Mulayam Singh Yadav backed out, leaving MamataBanerjee as a solitary supporter.[55] On 18 June 2012, Kalam refused to contest 2012 presidential poll after muchspeculations.[56]

Many, many citizens have also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love and affection for me and theaspiration of the people. I am really overwhelmed by this support. This being their wish, I respect it. I want to

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 67

thank them for the trust they have in me."—Kalam's message to public upon denying to contest Presidential poll 2012.[56]

Criticisms and controversiesThe controversy that surrounds Kalam's role as a nuclear scientist, is the lack of reliable and factual reporting of theyield of Pokhran-II tests.[57] The director of the site test, K. Santhanam, publicly admitted that the thermonuclearbomb was a "fizzle" test, criticising Kalam for issuing the wrong report.[57] However, Kalam dismissed the claimsand R. Chidambaram, a key associate of Pokhran-II, also described these claims as incorrect.[58] In spite of hisleading role in the development of Indian nuclear programme, Kalam has received criticism from many of his peerswho claimed that he had "no authority" over nuclear science.[59] Homi Sethna, a chemical engineer criticised Kalamclaiming that Kalam had no background in publishing articles in nuclear science, even in nuclear physics. Sethnamaintained that Kalam received his doctorate in aerospace engineering which is a completely different disciplinefrom nuclear engineering and what various universities awarded him for his achievements had nothing to do withnuclear physics. Sethna, in his last interview, maintained that in the 1950s, Kalam had failed advanced physicscourses during his college life and quoted "What does he know (about [nuclear] physics)....?", on the nationaltelevision. Homi Sethna also accused Kalam of using his presidency to gain a national stature of a nuclearscientist.[60] Others felt that Kalam had never worked in any of the Indian nuclear power plants and had no role indeveloping the nuclear weapon which was completed under Raja Ramanna.[61] Kalam worked as an aerospaceengineer in a SLV project in the 1970s and from the 1980s onwards, as a project director before he was shifted toDefence Research and Development Organisation, Sethna concluded. The prestigious Indian Institute of ScienceBangalore rejected Kalam's application as they felt that he lacked scientific credentials.[60]

In 2008, Indian media questioned his claims about his personal contributions to missile inventions while working ina classified missile programme.[60] Kalam had taken credit of inventing the Agni, Prithvi and Aakash missilesystem.[60] All of these were developed, researched and designed by other scientists whereas Kalam was involved ingetting the funds and other logistic tasks.[60] As a director of DRDO, a lot of credit had gone to Kalam. R. N.Agarwal, former director, Advanced System Laboratory and former Program Director of Agni missile wasconsidered to be the real architect behind the successful design of Agni Missile.[60][62] In his own biography, Kalamcredited the development of Agni missile to Dr Ram Narayan Agarwal, an alumnus of MIT. For the Prithvi missileproject, he named Col VJ Sundaram as the brain behind this project and for the Trishul missile, he gave credit toCommander SR Mohan.[63] In 2006, senior media correspondent Praful Bidwai, in the The Daily Star, wrote that twoaerospace projects, Project Valiant and Project Devil, which were authorised by former Premier Indira Gandhi underthe directorship of Abdul Kalam, resulted in "total failure". In the 1980s, these projects were ultimately cancelled bythe government under the pressure of the Indian Army.[64]

Kalam was also criticised by civil groups over his stand on the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, where hesupported setting up of the nuclear power plant and never spoke with the local people.[65] The protesters were hostileto his visit as they perceived to him to be a pro-nuclear scientist and were unimpressed by the assurance provided byhim on the safety features of the plant.[66]

Frisking by American security authoritiesAbdul Kalam was frisked at the JFK Airport in New York, while boarding a plane on 29 September 2011. He was subjected to "private screening" as he does not come under the category of dignitaries exempt from security screening procedures under American guidelines. He was frisked again after boarding the Air India aircraft with the US security officials asking for his jacket and shoes, claiming that these items were not checked according to the prescribed procedures during the "private screening", despite protests from the airline crew confirming him as India's president.[67][68] The incident was not reported until 13 November 2011.[69] India threatened retaliatory action as there was a "general sense of outrage" around the country.[70] The Indian Ministry of External Affairs protested over this incident and a statement by the ministry said that the US Government had written a letter to Kalam, expressing

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 68

its deep regret for the inconvenience.[68]

Kalam was previously frisked by the ground staff of the Continental Airlines at the Indira Gandhi InternationalAirport, New Delhi in July 2009 and was treated like an ordinary passenger, despite him being on the Bureau ofCivil Aviation Security's list of people exempted from security screening in India.[71]

Future India: 2020

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam delivering speech

In his book India 2020, Kalam strongly advocates an action plan todevelop India into a knowledge superpower and a developed nation bythe year 2020. He regards his work on India's nuclear weaponsprogram as a way to assert India's place as a future superpower.

It was reported that, there was a considerable demand in South Koreafor translated versions of books authored by him.[72]

Kalam continues to take an active interest in other developments in thefield of science and technology. He has proposed a research programfor developing bio-implants. He is a supporter of Open Source overproprietary solutions and believes that the use of free software on alarge scale will bring the benefits of information technology to morepeople.[73]

Kalam set a target of interacting with 100,000 students during the two years after his resignation from the post ofscientific adviser in 1999.[12] In his own words, "I feel comfortable in the company of young people, particularlyhigh school students. Henceforth, I intend to share with them experiences, helping them to ignite their imaginationand preparing them to work for a developed India for which the road map is already available."[12] He continued tointeract with students during his term as a President and also during his post-presidency period as a visiting professorat Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad[74] and Indian Institute of Management Indore,[75] Chancellor ofIndian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram,[76] a professor of Aerospace Engineering atAnna University (Chennai),[77] JSS University (Mysore),[78] and an adjunct/visiting faculty at many other academicand research institutions across India.

Popular cultureIn May 2011, Kalam launched his mission for the youth of the nation called the What Can I Give Movement with acentral theme to defeat corruption.[79][80] He also has interests in writing Tamil poetry and in playing veenai, a SouthIndian string instrument.[81]

He was nominated for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003[82][83] and in 2006.[84] In the 2011 Hindi filmI Am Kalam, Kalam is portrayed as an extremely positive influence to a poor but bright Rajasthani boy namedChhotu, who renames himself Kalam in honour of his idol.[85]

Awards and honoursA. P. J. Abdul Kalam's 79th birthday was recognised as World Students' Day by United Nations.[86] He also hasreceived honorary doctorates from 40 universities.[87][88] The Government of India has honoured him with thePadma Bhushan in 1981 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 for his work with ISRO and DRDO and his role as ascientific advisor to the Government.[89] In 1997, Kalam received India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna,for his immense and valuable contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology inIndia.[90]

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 69

Year of award or honour Name of award or honour Awarding organisation

2011 IEEE Honorary Membership IEEE[91]

2010 Doctor of Engineering University of Waterloo[92]

2009 Hoover Medal ASME Foundation, USA[93]

2009 International von Kármán Wings Award California Institute of Technology, U.S.A[94]

2008 Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore[95]

2007 King Charles II Medal Royal Society, U.K[96][97]

2007 Honorary Doctorate of Science University of Wolverhampton, U.K[98]

2000 Ramanujan Award Alwars Research Centre, Chennai[99]

1998 Veer Savarkar Award Government of India[10]

1997 Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration Government of India[10][99]

1997 Bharat Ratna Government of India[99][100]

1990 Padma Vibhushan Government of India[99][101]

1981 Padma Bhushan Government of India[99][101]

Books and documentariesKalam's writings• Wings of Fire: An Autobiography by A. P. J Abdul Kalam, Arun Tiwari; Universities Press, 1999.[8]

• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium by A. P. J Abdul Kalam, Y. S. Rajan; New York, 1998.[102]

• Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam; Viking, 2002.[103]

• The Luminous Sparks by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam; Punya Publishing Pvt Ltd, 2004.[104]

• Mission India by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Paintings by Manav Gupta; Penguin Books, 2005[105]

• Inspiring Thoughts by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam; Rajpal & Sons, 2007[106]

• Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Roddam Narasimha;Indian Academy of Sciences, 1988[107]

Biographies• Eternal Quest: Life and Times of Dr. Kalam by S. Chandra; Pentagon Publishers, 2002.[108]

• President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam by R. K. Pruthi; Anmol Publications, 2002.[109]

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: The Visionary of India by K. Bhushan, G. Katyal; A.P.H. Pub. Corp, 2002.[110]

• A Little Dream (documentary film) by P. Dhanapal; Minveli Media Works Private Limited, 2008.[111]

• The Kalam Effect: My Years with the President by P.M. Nair; Harper Collins, 2008.[112]

• My Days With Mahatma Abdul Kalam by Fr.A.K. George; Novel Corporation, 2009.[113]

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 70

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books. google. com/ ?id=Kpd9lLY_0-IC& dq=abdul+ kalam+ first+ worked+ drdo). New Delhi: Encyclopædia Britannica (India). p. 2.ISBN 978-0-85229-760-5. .

[2] Pruthi, R. K. (2005). "Ch. 4. Missile Man of India" (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=Ee3PR5HFBCAC). President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.Anmol Publication. pp. 61–76. ISBN 978-81-261-1344-6. .

[3] Sen, Amartya (2003). "India and the Bomb" (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=IjZA-bQde1wC& pg=RA1-PA169). In M. V. Ramana and C.Rammanohar Reddy. Prisoners of the Nuclear Dream. Sangam Book. pp. 167–188. ISBN 978-81-250-2477-4. .

[4] A.P.J.Abdul, Kalam (2012-06). Spirit of India (http:/ / goarticles. com/ article/ Spirit-of-India-Book-Summary-Review-and-Plot/ 6584069/ ).Reem Publications Pvt.ltd.. ISBN 8183512046. .

[5] "Dr A P J Abdul Kalam visits Rukmini Devi Public School" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/school-notes-dr-a-p-j-abdul-kalam-visits-rukmini-devi-public-school/ 943123/ ). The Indian Express. 30 April 2012. . Retrieved 2012-07-06.

[6] http:/ / rtoz. org/ 2012/ 07/ 21/ indias-former-president-dr-apj-abdul-kalams-facebook-page-crosses-1-million-fans/[7] "Dr Abdul Kalam, People's President in Sri Lanka" (http:/ / www. highbeam. com/ doc/ 1P3-2567111001. html). Daily News (Sri Lanka) via

HighBeam Research. 23 January 2012. . Retrieved 3 May 2012.[8] Kalam, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul; Tiwari, Arun (1 January 1999). Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=c3qmIZtWUjAC). Universities Press. ISBN 978-81-7371-146-6. . Retrieved 3 May 2012.[9] Jai, Janak Raj (1 January 2003). Presidents of India, 1950–2003 (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=r2C2InxI0xAC& pg=PA295).

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1 March 2012. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.[11] Sharma, Mahesh; Das, P.K.; Bhalla, P. (2004). Pride Of The Nation : Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (http:/ / books. google. com/

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pg=PA153& lpg=PA153& dq=kalam+ + + interaction+ with+ students& source=bl& ots=K01yrB5vKv&sig=Q87cLmvdC6KfHC419LHQ2IDV8Nk& hl=en& sa=X& ei=mi_2T6ySBY-y8ASzpbiGBw& ved=0CDsQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=kalam + interaction with students& f=false). New Delhi: A.P.H. Publishing Corporation. pp. 1–10,153. .

[13] K. Raju; S. Annamalai (24 September 2006). "Kalam meets the teacher who moulded him" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2006/ 09/ 24/ stories/2006092404791000. htm). The Hindu. . Retrieved 29 June 2012.

[14] Dixit, Sumita Vaid (18 March 2010). "The boy from Rameswaram who became President" (http:/ / getahead. rediff. com/ slide-show/ 2010/mar/ 18/ slide-show-1-achievers-indias-best-students-apj-abdul-kalam. htm). Rediff.com. . Retrieved 4 July 2012.

[15] "Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam" (http:/ / www. vigyanprasar. gov. in/ scientists/ abdulkalam/ abdulkalam. htm). NationalInformatics Centre. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[16] Gopalakrishnan, Karthika (23 June 2009). "Kalam tells students to follow their heart" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/2009-06-23/ chennai/ 28168542_1_kalam-primary-school-maths-class). The Times of India (Chennai, India). . Retrieved 4 July 2012.

[17] Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc. (November 1989). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (http:/ / books. google. com/books?id=6AUAAAAAMBAJ& pg=PA32). Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc.. pp. 32–. ISSN 00963402. . Retrieved 1 March2012.

[18] "Missile Chronology, 1971–1979" (http:/ / www. nti. org/ media/ pdfs/ india_missile. pdf?_=1316466791) (PDF). James Martin Center forNonproliferation Studies at Monterey Institute of International Studies, Nuclear Threat Initiative. July 2003. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[19] "The prime motivator" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl1913/ 19131240. htm). Frontline. June 22 - Jul 5, 2002. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.[20] Pandit, Rajat (9 January 2008). "Missile plan: Some hits, misses" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ Missile_plan_Some_hits_misses/

articleshow/ 2684641. cms). The Times Of India. TNN. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.[21] Jerome M. Conley (2001). Indo-Russian military and nuclear cooperation: lessons and options for U.S. policy in South Asia (http:/ / books.

google. com/ books?id=SZRk_z3dhtYC& pg=PA106). Lexington Books. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-7391-0217-6. . Retrieved 4 March 2012.[22] ANI (8 November 2011). "Koodankulam nuclear plant: APJ Abdul Kalam's safety review has failed to satisfy nuke plant protestors, expert

laments" (http:/ / articles. economictimes. indiatimes. com/ 2011-11-08/ news/ 30373196_1_safety-review-safety-norms-koodankulam). TheEconomic Times (Chennai, India). . Retrieved 20 June 2012.

[23] "Story of indigenous stents" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ businessline/ 2001/ 08/ 15/ stories/ 041567so. htm). The Hindu-Businessline (India).15 August 2001. .

[24] "The stent man" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 1998/ dec/ 19ap. htm). Rediff-News (India). 19 December 1998. .[25] "Now, ‘Kalam-Raju tablet' for healthcare workers" (http:/ / www. thehindu. com/ news/ cities/ Hyderabad/ article3025860. ece). The Hindu

(Hyderabad, India). 22 March 2012. . Retrieved 19 April 2012.[26] Times News Network (11 June 2002). "NDA’s smart missile: President Kalam" (http:/ / articles. economictimes. indiatimes. com/

2002-06-11/ news/ 27348497_1_nda-alliance-nda-today-president-kalam). The Economic Times. . Retrieved 29 April 2012.[27] "SP to support Kalam for President's post" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jun/ 11prez3. htm). Rediff.com. 11 June 2002. . Retrieved

1 March 2012.

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[28] "NCP supports Kalam's candidature for presidentship" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jun/ 11prez2. htm). Rediff.com. 11 June2002. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[29] "Narayanan opts out, field clear for Kalam" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jun/ 11prez5. htm). Rediff.com. 11 June 2002. .Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[30] "Overwhelmed by response: Kalam" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jun/ 13prez2. htm). Rediff.com. 13 June 2002. . Retrieved 1March 2012.

[31] "Presidential nominee Abdul Kalam files nomination papers" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jun/ 18prez1. htm). Rediff.com. 18June 2002. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[32] "Polling for presidential election begins" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jul/ 15prez1. htm). Rediff.com. 15 July 2002. . Retrieved 1March 2012.

[33] Ved, Mahendra (26 July 2002). "Kalam is 11th President in 12th term" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2002-07-26/ india/27318326_1_neelam-sanjiva-reddy-p-j-abdul-kalam-rashtrapati-bhavan). The Times of India. . Retrieved 4 July 2012.

[34] "Abdul Kalam elected President" (http:/ / hindu. com/ 2002/ 07/ 19/ stories/ 2002071905340100. htm). The Hindu. 18 July 2002. . Retrieved1 March 2012.

[35] List of Bharat Ratna Awardees (http:/ / www. mha. nic. in/ pdfs/ Recipients-BR. pdf)[36] "A P J Kalam is sworn in as India's eleventh President" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2002/ jul/ 25prez5. htm). Rediff.com. 25 July 2002.

. Retrieved 1 March 2012.[37] Tyagi, Kavita; Misra, Padma. Basic Technical Communication (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=N3ixJ62qwqcC& pg=PA124). PHI

Learning Pvt. Ltd.. p. 124. ISBN 978-81-203-4238-5. . Retrieved 2 March 2012.[38] "APJ Abdul Kalam is people's president: Mamata Banerjee" (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/ abdul-kalam-is-peoples-president-mamata/

266740-37-64. html). CNN-IBN. Press Trust of India. 19 June 2012. . Retrieved 4 July 2012.[39] Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (14 April 2007). "The people's President does it again" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2007/ 04/ 14/ stories/

2007041411130100. htm). The Hindu (Chennai, India). . Retrieved 1 March 2012.[40] "Signing office of profit bill was toughest decision: A P J Kalam" (http:/ / economictimes. indiatimes. com/ features/ dateline-india/

signing-office-of-profit-bill-was-toughest-decision-a-p-j-kalam/ articleshow/ 6182455. cms). The Economic Times (Coimbatore). 18 Julu2010. . Retrieved 2 May 2012.

[41] "The journey of a mercy plea" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ the-journey-of-a-mercy-plea/ 621586/ 0). The New Indian Express.21 May 2010. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[42] V., Venkatesan (March 28–10 April 2009). "Mercy Guidelines" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl2607/ stories/ 20090410260703400.htm). Frontline. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[43] "Kalam not to contest presidential poll" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ 2007/ jun/ 22prezpoll6. htm). Rediff.com. 22 June 2007. .Retrieved 2 March 2012.

[44] "Kalam not to contest Presidential polls" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2007-06-22/ india/27955990_1_unpa-leaders-united-national-progressive-alliance-nda-leaders). The Times of India. 22 June 2007. . Retrieved 2 March 2012.

[45] "Kalam not to contest Presidential polls" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2007-06-22/ india/27955990_1_unpa-leaders-united-national-progressive-alliance-nda-leaders). The Times of India. 22 June 2007. . Retrieved 3 March 2012.

[46] "Talks under way on Presidential election" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2007/ 05/ 10/ stories/ 2007051008450100. htm). Chennai, India. 10May 2007. . Retrieved 2 March 2012.

[47] Prafulla Marapakwar, Times News Network (23 April 2012). "Next President should be apolitical: Pawar" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes.com/ india/ Next-President-should-be-apolitical-Pawar/ articleshow/ 12830216. cms). Times of India. . Retrieved 23 April 2012.

[48] Raj, Rohit (23 April 2012). "Virtual world seeks second term for Abdul Kalam" (http:/ / www. deccanchronicle. com/ channels/ nation/south/ virtual-world-seeks-second-term-abdul-kalam-590). Deccan Chronicle. . Retrieved 23 April 2012.

[49] NDTV Correspondent (23 April 2012). "Race for Rashtrapati Bhawan: APJ Abdul Kalam a good choice, says SP; backs Pawar" (http:/ /www. ndtv. com/ article/ india/ race-for-rashtrapati-bhawan-apj-abdul-kalam-a-good-choice-says-sp-backs-pawar-200986). NDTV. . Retrieved23 April 2012.

[50] Azeez, Parwin (8 May 2012). "Kalam for President clicks on social networks" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ city/ chennai/Kalam-for-President-clicks-on-social-networks/ articleshow/ 13044137. cms). The Times of India. . Retrieved 8 May 2012.

[51] "Netizens campaign for second term to Kalam" (http:/ / www. deccanherald. com/ content/ 245135/ netizens-campaign-second-term-kalam.html). Deccan Herald. 26 April 2012. . Retrieved 27 April 2012.

[52] "President poll: BJP rejects Pranab Mukherjee, Hamid Ansari, may back Kalam" (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/president-poll-bjp-rejects-pranab-may-back-kalam/ 253558-37. html). CNN-IBN (New Delhi). 30 April 2012. . Retrieved 30 April 2012.

[53] Press Trust of India (PTI) (30 April 2012). "Presidential polls: We will not support Pranab Mukherjee, BJP says" (http:/ / timesofindia.indiatimes. com/ india/ Presidential-polls-We-will-not-support-Pranab-Mukherjee-BJP-says/ articleshow/ 12937364. cms). The Times of India(New Delhi). . Retrieved 30 April 2012.

[54] "Prez poll: Mulayam, Mamata suggest APJ Kalam, Manmohan Singh, Somnath Chatterjee" (http:/ / www. dnaindia. com/ india/report_prez-poll-mulayam-mamata-refuse-to-endorse-pranab-suggest-manmohan_1701902). DNA India. 13 June 2012. . Retrieved 13 June2012.

[55] Times of India (16 June 2012). "Mamata turns to Facebook, seeks support for Kalam" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ tech/

social-media/ Mamata-turns-to-Facebook-seeks-support-for-Kalam/ articleshow/ 14174984. cms). The Times of India (Kolkata, India). .

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 72

Retrieved 16 June 2012.[56] Karthick S (18 June 2012). "Abdul Kalam not to contest presidential poll 2012" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ india/

Abdul-Kalam-not-to-contest-presidential-poll-2012/ articleshow/ 14237561. cms). The Times of India (Chennai, India). . Retrieved 18 June2012.

[57] R., Ramachandran (September 12–25, 2009). "Pokhran row" (http:/ / www. frontlineonnet. com/ fl2619/ stories/ 20090925261902000. htm).Frontline. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[58] Hardnews bureau (August 2009). "Pokhran II controversy needless: PM" (http:/ / www. hardnewsmedia. com/ 2009/ 08/ 3161). Hard News.. Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[59] "Kalam not qualified to talk about Pokhran II: Sethna" (http:/ / news. rediff. com/ report/ 2009/ sep/ 01/ how-can-kalam-talk-on-pokhran.htm). Rediff.com. 1 September 2009. . Retrieved 11 November 2011.

[60] IBN-CNN. "Kalam no authority on Pokhran II test Ex AEC chief" (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=lwDKahtHVDQ). .[61] Zeenews bureau (1 September 2009). "Pokhran-II: ex-AEC chief slams Kalam" (http:/ / zeenews. india. com/ news/ nation/

pokhran-ii-ex-aec-chief-slams-kalam_560066. html). Zee News. . Retrieved 11 November 2011.[62] M., Somasekar (25 July 2005). "ASL: From long-range missiles to lightweight callipers" (http:/ / www. thehindubusinessline. in/ 2005/ 07/

25/ stories/ 2005072501331400. htm). The Hindu businessline. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.[63] Kalam, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul; Tiwari, Arun (1 January 1999). Wings of fire: an autobiography (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=c3qmIZtWUjAC& pg=PA123). Universities Press. p. 123. ISBN 978-81-7371-146-6. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.[64] Bidwai, Praful. "After the Agni-III crash" (http:/ / www. thedailystar. net/ 2006/ 07/ 17/ d607171502138. htm). The Daily Star. . Retrieved

14 November 2011.[65] "Dr Kalam’s ‘assurance’ on nuclear power plants draws flak" (http:/ / moneylife. in/ article/

dr-kalams-assurance-on-nuclear-power-plants-draws-flak/ 21199. html). Financial Magazine. 7 November 2011. . Retrieved 11 November2011.

[66] "Kalam bats for Kudankulam but protesters unimpressed" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-11-07/ india/30369212_1_kudankulam-plant-kudankulam-nuclear-power-project-kasinath-balaji). The Times of India. 7 November 2011. . Retrieved2012-07-05.

[67] "Outrage over Kalam's frisking, US says sorry" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ India-news/ NewDelhi/Outrage-over-Kalam-s-frisking-US-says-sorry/ Article1-768549. aspx). Hindustan Times. 13 November 2011. . Retrieved 4 July 2012.

[68] "U.S. 'regrets inconvenience' after Kalam faces double security check" (http:/ / www. thehindu. com/ news/ national/ article2624194. ece).The Hindu. 13 November 2011. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[69] "Former President APJ Abdul Kalam frisked twice in US" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-11-13/ india/30393407_1_frisked-president-apj-abdul-kalam-civil-aviation). The Times of India. 13 November 2011. . Retrieved 3 February 2012.

[70] "Kalam frisking: US apologises to India" (http:/ / www. ndtv. com/ article/ india/ kalam-frisking-us-apologises-to-india-149347). NDTV. 13November 2011. . Retrieved 3 February 2012.

[71] "Dr Abdul Kalam frisked at Delhi airport" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2009-07-21/ india/28153637_1_continental-airlines-frisked-security-checks). The Times of India. 21 July 2009. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[72] "Kalam, the author catching on in South Korea" (http:/ / www. outlookindia. com/ pti_news. asp?id=354077). Outlook magazine. 9 February2006. . Retrieved 25 March 2012.

[73] Becker, David (29 May 2003). "India leader advocates open source" (http:/ / news. cnet. com/ India-leader-advocates-open-source/2100-1016_3-1011255. html). CNET. . Retrieved 17 July 2012.

[74] "Campus Connect, Class Apart" (http:/ / www. iimahd. ernet. in/ assets/ upload/ News/ Former_President_Abdul_ Kalam_ lectures. pdf).Ahmedabad: The Times of India. 14 September 2008. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[75] "Former President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam teaches the students of IIM Indore" (http:/ / www. iimidr. ac. in/ iimi/ pages/ posts/former-president-dr. -a-p-j-abdul-kalam-teaches-the-students-of-iim-indore135. php). IIM Indore. 2009. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[76] "Mission moon and Mars our goals: Kalam" (http:/ / www. thehindu. com/ news/ cities/ Thiruvananthapuram/ article3582080. ece).Thiruvananthapuram: The Hindu. 29 June 2012. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[77] "Kalam may become honorary professor at Anna University" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2007-07-15/ india/27986299_1_anna-university-president-kalam-missile-man). The Times of India. 15 July 2007. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[78] "Students can interact with Abdul Kalam on R&D" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ city/ mysore/Students-can-interact-with-Abdul-Kalam-on-RD/ articleshow/ 13191634. cms). The Times of India. 17 May 2012. . Retrieved 2012-07-05.

[79] "About us" (http:/ / www. whatcanigive. info/ BlankBodyWGnrlRightPanl. php?PageTitle=AboutUs). What Can I Give. . Retrieved 1March 2012.

[80] Mallady, Shastry (26 June 2011). "Take part in movement against corruption: Kalam" (http:/ / www. thehindu. com/ news/ states/tamil-nadu/ article2137285. ece). The Hindu. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[81] "India's A.P.J. Abdul Kalam" (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ world/ article/ 0,8599,2040386,00. html). Time (magazine). 30 Nov 1998. .Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[82] "Anil Ambani Voted MTV Youth Icon Of The Year" (http:/ / www. financialexpress. com/ news/ story/ 90874/ ). The Financial Express. 5September 2003. . Retrieved 3 March 2012.

[83] "MTV's Youth Icon" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ lf/ 2004/ 05/ 21/ stories/ 2004052101120200. htm). The Hindu. 21 May 2004. . Retrieved 3March 2012.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 73

[84] "Dhoni voted youth icon 2006" (http:/ / www. dnaindia. com/ sport/ report_dhoni-voted-youth-icon-2006_1037270). Daily News andAnalysis. 23 June 2006. . Retrieved 3 March 2012.

[85] "I Am Kalam: Movie Review" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-08-04/ news-interviews/29849681_1_film-nila-madhab-panda-harsh-mayar). The Times of India. 4 August 2011. . Retrieved 3 March 2012.

[86] "Students recall Kalam's services" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2010/ 10/ 19/ stories/ 2010101957740200. htm). The Hindu. 19 October 2010.. Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[87] "Dr.Kalam's Page" (http:/ / www. abdulkalam. com/ kalam/ jsp/ display_content. jsp?menuid=22& menuname=Dr. Kalamös Page&linkid=130& linkname=Profile& content=457& columnno=0& starts=0& menu_image=-). abdulKalam.com. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[88] Dayekh, Ribal (16 April 2011). "Dr Abdul Kalam former President of India arrives to Dubai" (http:/ / www. zawya. com/ story. cfm/sidZAWYA20110417054039). Zawya.com. . Retrieved 17 March 2012.

[89] "Kalam receives honorary doctorate from Queen's University Belfast" (http:/ / news. oneindia. in/ 2009/ 06/ 11/kalamreceives-honorary-doctorate-from-queensuniver. html). Oneindia.in. 11 June 2009. . Retrieved 13 March 2012.

[90] "Bharat Ratna conferred on Dr Abdul Kalam" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ nov/ 26kal. htm). Rediff.com. 26 November 1997. .Retrieved 13 March 2012.

[91] "IEEE Honorary Membership Recipients" (http:/ / www. ieee. org/ documents/ hon_mem_rl. pdf). IEEE. . Retrieved 28 August 2011.[92] "Yet another honorary doctorate for Kalam" (http:/ / news. rediff. com/ report/ 2010/ oct/ 06/ yet-another-honorary-doctorate-for-kalam.

htm). Rediff.com. 6 October 2010. . Retrieved 13 March 2012.[93] "Former President Kalam chosen for Hoover Medal" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ India/ Kalam-chosen-for-Hoover-Medal/

articleshow/ 4321760. cms). New York: Indiatimes. 27 March 2009. . Retrieved 30 October 2010.[94] "Caltech GALCIT International von Kármán Wings Award" (http:/ / www. galcit. caltech. edu/ ahs/ recipients/ 2009Kalam. html).

galcit.caltech.edu. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.[95] "Dr Abdul Kalam, former President of India, receives NTU Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering" (http:/ / news. ntu. edu. sg/ pages/

newsdetail. aspx?URL=http:/ / news. ntu. edu. sg/ news/ Pages/ NR2008_Aug26. aspx& Guid=3728913b-4ced-4d53-b9c3-f17ed2bdaa78&Category=& MonthGroup=808). Nanyang Technological University. 26 August 2008. . Retrieved 28 August 2011.

[96] "King Charles II Medal for President" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2007/ 07/ 12/ stories/ 2007071253391300. htm). The Hindu. 12 July 2007.. Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[97] "King Charles II Medal for Kalam" (http:/ / articles. economictimes. indiatimes. com/ 2007-07-11/ news/27675690_1_president-kalam-p-j-abdul-kalam-road-map). The Economic Times (India). 11 July 2007. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[98] "Kalam conferred Honorary Doctorate of Science" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2007-10-23/ uk/27960584_1_p-j-abdul-kalam-wolverhampton-creative-leadership). The Economic Times (India). 23 October 2007. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[99] "Dr. Abdul Kalam's Diverse Interests: Prizes/Awards" (http:/ / www. techmotivator. iitm. ac. in/ TGTech APJ. htm#1). Indian Institute ofTechnology Madras. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[100] "List of recipients of Bharat Ratna" (http:/ / www. mha. nic. in/ pdfs/ Recipients-BR. pdf) (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Governmentof India. . Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[101] "Bharat Ratna conferred on Dr Abdul Kalam" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ nov/ 26kal. htm). Rediff.com. 26 November 1997. .Retrieved 1 March 2012.

[102] Kalam, A.P.J. Abdul; Y.S., Rajan (1998). India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium (http:/ / books. google. com/books?id=pCN7NwAACAAJ& dq=vision+ 2020+ abdul+ kalam& source=bl& ots=faaj8bIMlB& sig=0FVR5Gikrl7NhVeIl12pSOrntp4&hl=en& sa=X& ei=LTb2T7mML5Se8QS_4J3YBg& ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA). New York. 0670882712, 9780670882717. .

[103] Kalam, A.P.J. Abdul (2002). Ignited minds: unleashing the power within India (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=kypuAAAAMAAJ&q=ignited+ minds& dq=ignited+ minds& source=bl& ots=ez0QmBHU9X& sig=0TzcmzgctsyVAkxqJ4Ykxzkgvho& hl=en& sa=X&ei=azn2T4fVAYWe8gSQ_pntBg& ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA). Viking. .

[104] Kalam, A.P.J. Abdul (2004). The luminous sparks : a biography in verse and colours. Bangalore: Punya Pub.. ISBN 978-81-901897-8-1.[105] Rajan, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Y.S. (2005). Mission India : a vision for Indian youth. New Delhi, India: Puffin Books.

ISBN 978-0-14-333499-6.[106] Kalam, A.P.J. Abdul (2007). Inspiring thoughts. Delhi: Rajpal & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7028-684-4.[107] "Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology" (http:/ / www. abdulkalam. nic. in/ fluid. html). National Informatics Centre. .

Retrieved 1 March 2012.[108] Rohde, David (19 July 2002). "Nuclear Scientist, 70, a Folk Hero, Is Elected India's President" (http:/ / www. nytimes. com/ 2002/ 07/ 19/

world/ nuclear-scientist-70-a-folk-hero-is-elected-india-s-president. html). The New York Times. . Retrieved 29 June 2012.[109] Pruthi, Raj (1 January 2003). President Apj Abdul Kalam (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=Ee3PR5HFBCAC). Anmol Publications.

ISBN 978-81-261-1344-6. . Retrieved 29 June 2012.[110] Bhushan, K.; Katyal, G. (1 January 2002). A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: The Visionary of India (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=W3K3wQsM9PUC). APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7648-380-3. . Retrieved 29 June 2012.[111] "Documentary on Kalam released" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2008/ 01/ 25/ stories/ 2008012550520200. htm). The Hindu (Chennai,

India). 12 January 2008. Archived (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20090511012413/ http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2008/ 01/ 25/ stories/2008012550520200. htm) from the original on 11 May 2009. . Retrieved 27 March 2009.

[112] Nair, P. M. (1 March 2008). The Kalam Effect: My Years with the President (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=NldWPgAACAAJ).HarperCollins Publishers, a joint venture with the India Today Group. ISBN 978-81-7223-736-3. . Retrieved 29 June 2012.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 74

[113] Fr A K George (14 January 2009). My Days with Mahatma Abdul Kalam (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=PyvbRgAACAAJ). NovelCorp. ISBN 978-81-904529-5-3. . Retrieved 24 April 2012.

External links• Official website (http:/ / www. abdulkalam. com)• Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: Former President of India (http:/ / www. abdulkalam. nic. in/ )• Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes (http:/ / thequotes. net/ 2011/ 12/ dr-apj-abdul-kalam-quotes/ )• Profile of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (http:/ / www. abdulkalam. nic. in/ profile. html)

Pratibha Patil

Pratibha Patil

President of India

Incumbent

Assumed office25 July 2007

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari

Preceded by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Succeeded by Pranab Mukherjee (Elect)

Governor of Rajasthan

In office8 November 2004 – 23 July 2007

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje

Preceded by Madan Lal Khurana

Succeeded by Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai

Personal details

Pratibha Patil 75

Born 19 December 1934Nadgaon, British India(now Maharashtra, India)

Political party Indian National Congress

Other politicalaffiliations

United Front (1996–2004)United Progressive Alliance (2004–present)

Spouse(s) Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat

Alma mater Mooljee Jetha College, JalgaonGovernment Law College, Mumbai

Pratibha Devisingh Patil (pronunciation) (born 19 December 1934) is the 12th President of the Republic of Indiaand first woman to hold the office. She was sworn in as President on 25 July 2007, succeeding Abdul Kalam andafter defeating her rival Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. She is due to retire from the office in July 2012.Patil is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) and was nominated for the presidency by the governingUnited Progressive Alliance and Indian Left.

Early lifePratibha Devisingh Patil is the daughter of Narayan Rao.[1] She was born on 19 December 1934 in the village ofNadgaon, in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, India. She was educated initially at RR Vidyalaya, Jalgaon andsubsequently was awarded a Masters degree in Political Science and Economics by Mooljee Jetha College, Jalgaon,and then a Bachelor of Law degree by Government Law College, Mumbai. Patil then began to practise as a lawyer atthe Jagaon District Court, while also taking an interest in social issues such as improving the conditions faced byIndian women.[2]

Patil married Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat on 7 July 1965. The couple have a son and a daughter.[1]

Political careerThe BBC has described Patil's political career prior to assuming Presidential office as "long and largely low-key".[3]

In 1962, at the age of 27, she was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the Jalgaon constituency.Thereafter she won in the Muktainagar (formerly Edlabad) constituency on four consecutive occasions between 1967and 1985, before becoming a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha between 1985 and 1990. In the 1991elections for the 10th Lok Sabha, she was elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Amravaticonstituency.[2] A period of retirement from politics followed later in that decade.[3]

Patil had held various Cabinet portfolios during her period in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and she had alsoheld official positions while in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. In addition, she had been for some years thepresident of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee and also held office as Director of the NationalFederation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies and as a Member of the Governing Council of theNational Co-operative Union of India.[1]

On 8 November 2004 she was appointed as the 24th Governor of Rajasthan.[4] She was the first woman to hold thatoffice,[5] and, according to the BBC, was "a low-profile" incumbent.[3]

Pratibha Patil 76

Presidential electionThe presidential role is largely that of a figurehead but it does potentially have greater significance, including that ofoverseeing the formation of a government in certain situations. The presidential electoral college consisted of around4900 voters, being MPs and also legislators at state level who between them represented 1.09 million votes,[6] andthe selection of a candidate for election is usually arranged by consensus among the various political parties.Consequently, it is common that the candidate does not face a challenger.[3]

On 14 June 2007, United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which was the ruling alliance of political parties in India,headed by the Indian National Congress, and the Indian Left nominated Patil as their candidate for the presidentialelection to be held in July that year. She emerged as a compromise candidate, being proposed by Sonia Gandhi, theUPA chairwoman, after the Left parties would not agree to the nomination of former Home Minister Shivraj Patil orKaran Singh.[5] Patil had been loyal to the INC and the Nehru-Gandhi family for decades and this was considered tobe a significant factor, although Patil said that she had no intention of being a "rubber-stamp president".[3][7]

Contrary to the normal pattern of events, Patil faced a challenge in the 2007 presidential election. The BBCdescribed the situation as "the latest casualty of the country's increasingly partisan politics and [it] highlights what iswidely seen as an acute crisis of leadership". It "degenerated into unseemly mud slinging between the ruling partyand the opposition".[8] Her challenger was Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the incumbent vice-president and a BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) veteran.[9] Shekhawat stood as an independent candidate and was supported by the NationalDemocratic Alliance (NDA), a group led by the BJP,[9] which had initially considered a legal challenge to Patil'scandidature on the basis of media reports concerning alleged irregularities in her financial affairs. That basis ofchallenge was dropped after legal advice was obtained and the focus of opposition became characterised as one ofmorality.[10]

Those opposed to Patil claimed that she lacked charisma, experience and ability. They also highlighted her timespent away from high-level politics and queried her belief in the supernatural when she claimed to have received amessage from Dada Lekhraj, a dead guru, who told her than she would become president.[3][8][11] Various specificissues were raised, such as a comment made by her in 1975 that those suffering from hereditary diseases should besterilised.[3] It was alleged that Patil had protected her brother, G. N. Patil, who had been named in connection withthe Vishram Patil murder case,[12] while another alleged that as a Member of Parliament for Amravati between 1991and 1996 Patil diverted Rs 36 lakh (Rs 3.6 million) from her MPLADS fund to a trust run by her husband DevisinghShekhawat. This was in violation of Government rules which barred MPs from providing funds to organisations runby their relatives.[13] The parliamentary affairs minister denied any wrongdoing on Patil's part, and noted that thefunds utilized under MPLADS are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India[14]

The INC countered the various issues raised by claiming that in 1947, soon after India gained independence,Shekhawat had been briefly suspended from his police work for taking a bribe. hHe opposition denied this, and alsothe INC claim that he had been protecting his son, who had faced charges of illegally acquiring land.[9] The genderof Patil and her interest in issues relating to Indian women were reported as positive attributes. The BBC noted hersupporters' claim that her election would be "a landmark for women in a country where millions routinely faceviolence, discrimination and poverty",[3] while Bloomberg summarised the opinion of the social activist Nafisa Alias, "In India, where female infanticide is still common and women's representation in the lower house of parliamenthasn't crossed 9 percent since independence in 1947, Patil's elevation is seen as a step toward greater empowermentof women."[6] The INC had campaigned for Shekhawat to stand down from his challenge in order to allow a womanto be elected.[15]

Bal Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra-based Shiv Sena (SS) party that had been allies with the BJP for 21 years, had announced that his party would break ranks with the NDA and support Patil rather than Shekhawat. This was in part because of her gender but also because SS desired to see the country have a Marathi president. Although he did not expect the decision to cause a more general split with the BJP, Thackeray said that if Kalam had been willing to stand for a second term then SS would have supported him. He also noted that Shekhawat's position as an

Pratibha Patil 77

independent candidate was a ploy by the BJP who, according to him, had realised that if Shekhawat stood as a BJPcandidate then he would lose support.[16]

Patil won the election held on 19 July 2007. She garnered nearly two-thirds of the votes[17] and took office as India'sfirst woman president on 25 July 2007.The office of president has a five-year term[8] and Patil is scheduled to retire from the role in July 2012.[18]

Presidency

Presidential styles ofPratibha Patil

Reference style Her Excellency Pratibha Patil, President of the Republic of India

Spoken style President Patil

Alternative style Madame President

PhilanthropyAlong with her husband, she set up Vidya Bharati Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, an educational institute which runs achain of schools and colleges in Amravati, Jalgaon and Mumbai.[19] She also set up Shram Sadhana Trust, whichruns hostels for working women in New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune; and an engineering college in Jalgaon.[19] Shealso founded a cooperative sugar factory known as Sant Muktabai Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana at Muktainagar and aneponymous cooperative bank, Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank, that ceased trading in February 2003.[20]

ControversiesPratibha Patil's term as the President of India has seen various controversies.[21]

During her term as president, Patil has commuted the death sentences of 35 petitioners to life, a record — amongthem are those convicted of mass murder, kidnapping, rape and killing of children. Presidential office, however,defended this by saying that the President had granted clemency to the petitioners after due consideration andexamining the advice of the Home Ministry.[22][23]

Pratibha Patil 78

Positions heldPatil has held various official offices during her career. These are:[1]

Pratibha Patil in North-east India.

Period Position

1967–72 Deputy Minister, Public Health, Prohibition, Tourism, Housing & Parliamentary Affairs, Government ofMaharashtra

1972–74 Cabinet Minister, Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra

1974–75 Cabinet Minister, Public Health & Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra

1975–76 Cabinet Minister, Prohibition, Rehabilitation and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra

1977–78 Cabinet Minister, Education, Government of Maharashtra

July 1979 to February 1980 Leader of the Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly

1982–85 Cabinet Minister, Urban Development and Housing, Government of Maharashtra

1983–85 Cabinet Minister, Civil Supplies and Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra

18 November 1986 to 5 November1988

Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha

1986–88 Chairman, Committee of Privileges, Rajya Sabha; Member, Business Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha

1991 Chairman, House Committee, Lok Sabha

8 November 2004 – 23 June 2007 Governor of Rajasthan

25 July 2007 to date President of India

References[1] "Ex Governor of Rajasthan" (http:/ / rajassembly. nic. in/ PratibhaPatil. htm). Rajathan Legislative Assembly Secretariate. . Retrieved 26 June

2012.[2] "Profile: President of India" (http:/ / india. gov. in/ govt/ whoswho. php?id=2). NIC / President's Secretariat. . Retrieved 26 June 2012.[3] "Profile: Pratibha Patil" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ 6910097. stm). BBC. 21 July 2007. . Retrieved 26 June 2012.[4] "Former Governors of Rajasthan" (http:/ / rajassembly. nic. in/ govphoto. htm). Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Secretariat. . Retrieved 26

June 2012.[5] "Prez polls: Sonia announces Pratibha Patil's name" (http:/ / www. ndtv. com/ convergence/ ndtv/ story. aspx?id=NEWEN20070015515&

ch=6/ 14/ 2007 6:54:00 PM). NDTV. 14 June 2007. . Retrieved 3 July 2012.[6] Pradhan, Bibhudatta (19 July 2007). "Patil Poised to Become India's First Female President" (http:/ / www. bloomberg. com/ apps/

news?pid=20601091& sid=aHJhXtWRZ4bA& refer=india). Bloomberg. . Retrieved 2 July 2012.[7] "I will not be a rubber stamp President" (http:/ / www. dnaindia. com/ report. asp?NewsID=1103782). PTI. Daily News & Analysis. 16 June

2007. . Retrieved 3 July 2012.

Pratibha Patil 79

[8] Biswas, Soutik (13 July 2007). "India's muckraking presidential poll" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ south_asia/ 6294238. stm).BBC. . Retrieved 3 July 2012.

[9] "Indian MPs vote for new president" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ south_asia/ 6905905. stm). BBC. 19 July 2007. . Retrieved 2July 2012.

[10] Singh, Sanjay (2 July 2007). "NDA's legal ploy fails, aims moral fire at Pratibha" (http:/ / www. dnaindia. com/ report.asp?NewsID=1107322). DNA. . Retrieved 3 July 2012.

[11] Dhawan, Himanshi (27 June 2007). "Pratibha believes in spirits?" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ India/ Pratibha_believes_in_spirits/articleshow/ 2152156. cms). The Times of India. . Retrieved 5 July 2012.

[12] "Congman's wife drags Pratibha name into allegations, NDA distances itself" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/congmans-wife-drags-pratibha-name-into-allegations-nda-distances-itself/ 160239/ 0). Indian Express. 23 June 2007. . Retrieved 5 July 2012.

[13] DNA – Mumbai – Now, a land grab haunts Patil – Daily News & Analysis (http:/ / www. dnaindia. com/ report. asp?newsid=1107938).Dnaindia.com (2007-07-04). Retrieved on 2011-11-06.

[14] "For family again: Patil’s MP funds for sports complex on land leased to husband society" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ story/ 203981.html). Indian Express. 6 July 2007. . Retrieved 2011-11-06.

[15] "Advani writes to EC, wants Patil to declare assets" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2007-07-02/ india/27981884_1_upa-leaders-conscience-vote-pratibha-patil). The Times of India. PTI. 2 July 2007. . Retrieved 3 July 2012.

[16] Menon, Meena (26 June 2007). "Shiv Sena backs Pratibha Patil" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2007/ 06/ 26/ stories/ 2007062651100100. htm).The Hindu. . Retrieved 3 July 2012.

[17] "First female president for India" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ south_asia/ 6909979. stm). BBC. 21 July 2007. . Retrieved 3 July2012.

[18] Kshirsagar, Alka (25 June 2012). "Pratibha Patil gets retirement home in Pune" (http:/ / www. thehindubusinessline. com/industry-and-economy/ economy/ article3569095. ece). Business Line (The Hindu). . Retrieved 26 June 2012.

[19] Pratibha Patil's Resume (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ India/ Pratibha_Patils_Resume/ articleshow/ 2218456. cms). The Times ofIndia. 19 July 2007.

[20] "Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India, 2005-06: Appendix Table IV.3: Urban Co-operative Banks Under Liquidation" (http:/ /rbidocs. rbi. org. in/ rdocs/ Publications/ PDFs/ 73892. pdf). Reserve Bank of India. p. 328 (5). . Retrieved 5 July 2012.

[21] President Pratibha Patil's brush with controversy - India News - IBNLive (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/president-pratibha-patils-brush-with-controversy/ 248154-3. html)

[22] "President defends mercy spree to death row convicts" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ india/President-defends-mercy-spree-to-death-row-convicts/ articleshow/ 14400295. cms). 26 June 2012. .

[23] "President Pratibha Patil goes on mercy overdrive" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ india/President-Pratibha-Patil-goes-on-mercy-overdrive/ articleshow/ 14330594. cms). 22 June 2012. .

External links• President of India Official Site (http:/ / presidentofindia. nic. in/ )

Pranab Mukherjee 80

Pranab Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee

Mukherjee during the India Economic Summit in New Delhi in 2009

President of IndiaElect

Taking office25 July 2012

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Succeeding Pratibha Patil

Minister of Finance

In office24 January 2009 – 26 June 2012

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Preceded by Manmohan Singh

Succeeded by Manmohan Singh

In office15 January 1982 – 31 December 1984

Prime Minister Indira GandhiRajiv Gandhi

Preceded by Ramaswamy Venkataraman

Succeeded by Vishwanath Pratap Singh

Minister of External Affairs

In office10 February 1995 – 16 May 1996

Prime Minister Narasimha Rao

Preceded by Dinesh Singh

Succeeded by Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Minister of Defence

In office22 May 2004 – 26 October 2006

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Preceded by George Fernandes

Succeeded by Arackaparambil Kurien Antony

Pranab Mukherjee 81

Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission

In office24 June 1991 – 15 May 1996

Prime Minister Narasimha Rao

Preceded by Mohan Dharia

Succeeded by Madhu Dandavate

Personal details

Born Pranab Kumar Mukherjee11 December 1935Mirati, British India(now India)

Political party Indian National Congress (Before 1986;1989–present)Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (1986–1989)

Other politicalaffiliations

United Front (1996–2004)United Progressive Alliance (2004–present)

Spouse(s) Suvra Mukherjee (1957–present)

Children SharmisthaAbhijitIndrajit

Alma mater University of Calcutta

Religion Hinduism

Awards Padma Vibhushan (2008)

Presidential styles ofPranab Mukherjee

Reference style His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee, President of the Republic of India

Spoken style President Mukherjee

Alternative style Mister President

Pranab Kumar Mukherjee (/prənəbkʊmɑ:rmʉkhərdʒiː/; born 11 December 1935) is the president-elect of India.Mukherjee was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress until he resigned from political office preceding hiselection as president on 22 July 2012. He will take office as the 13th President of India on 25 July 2012.[1][2][3] [4]

Mukherjee began his political career with the Indian National Congress in 1969 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.He became one of her top lieutenants and was often described as her "man for all seasons". His rise was meteoric inthe early phase of his career and he became a cabinet minister in Indira Gandhi's government in 1973. Mukherjeerose through a series of cabinet posts to become the Finance Minister of India from 1982 to 1984. Mukherjee wasLeader of the House in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985.[5]

Mukherjee was sidelined from the Congress during the Rajiv Gandhi era. He had viewed himself, and not the rookie Rajiv Gandhi, as the rightful successor to Indira Gandhi.[5] Mukherjee lost out in the ensuing power struggle. He

Pranab Mukherjee 82

formed his own political party, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress, but later merged it with Congress in 1989 afterreaching a political compromise with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Mukherjee's political career revived when PrimeMinister Narasimha Rao chose to appoint him as Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission and subsequentlyas a union cabinet minister in the 1990s. He served as the Minister of External Affairs (Foreign Minister) from 1995to 1996 in Rao's cabinet.[5] Mukherjee was the principal architect of Sonia Gandhi's entry into Indian politics in the1990s.[5] He became the elder statesman of the Congress party during this period. Mukherjee was Leader of theHouse in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2012. He served as the Minister of Defence from 2004 to 2006 and againserved as the Minister of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009. He was the Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012 in thegovernment of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Mukherjee has received several accolades and honors. In 1984, he was rated as the best Finance Minister in theWorld according to a survey of Euromoney magazine.[6][7] In 2010, he was awarded "Finance Minister of the Yearfor Asia" by Emerging Markets, the daily newspaper of record for the World Bank and the IMF.[8] In December2010, The Banker recognised him as the "Finance Minister of the Year."[9] The government of India honored himwith the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of India, in 2008.[10]

Early lifeMukherjee was born to a Bengali Hindu Kulin Brahmin family at Mirati in the Bengal province of British India. Hisfather, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, was a member of the Indian National Congress during the Indian independencemovement and had spent more than ten years in British jails.[11] His mother's name was Rajlakshmi Mukherjee.[12]

He has an elder sister named Annapoorna Mukherjee. Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee became a member of West BengalLegislative Council from 1952 to 1964, and was also the President of the District Congress Committee inBirbhum.[11][13]

Mukherjee attended the Suri Vidyasagar College in Suri (Birbhum), then affiliated with the University ofCalcutta.[12] He holds a Master of Arts degree in History and Political Science and also a degree in law from theUniversity of Calcutta.[11][13] Mukherjee was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University ofWolverhampton in 2011.[14] He was also awarded an honorary D.Litt by the Assam University in March 2012.[15]

Personal lifePranab Mukherjee married Suvra Mukherjee on 13 July 1957 and has two sons, Abhijit and Indrajit, and a daughter,Sharmistha Mukherjee.[12][16] He is inspired by Deng Xiaoping and has quoted him quite frequently.[17] His hobbiesare reading, gardening and music.[18] His son, Abhijit Mukherjee, is a Congress MLA from West Bengal[11] whilehis daughter is a Kathak dancer.[16] As per reports, Abhijit is keen on contesting from the Jangipur Lok Sabha seat inMurshidabad vacated by Pranab Mukherjee.[19]

Mukherjee celebrates the Durga Puja at his ancestral home in Mirati village in West Bengal's Birbhum district.[20]

He makes it a point to be at Mirati village every year to take part in the four-day rituals, the puja having a 'socialdimension' for him. "I want to avail of this opportunity to be with the people of my area," Mukherjee said during apuja ceremony on 4 October 2011.[20]

Pranab Mukherjee 83

Professional careerMukherjee began his career as an upper-division clerk in the office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post andTelegraph) in Calcutta before he became a college-teacher and later a journalist.[11] He worked for noted Bengalipublication Desher Dak (Call of Motherland).Mukherjee was chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata.[12][21] He is also the former chairman andpresident of the Rabindra Bharati University and the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan. Mukherjee is a formertrustee of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad and the Bidhan Memorial Trust. Mukherjee used to be on the Planning Boardof the Asiatic Society.[12][22]

Political careerMukherjee got involved in the politics of the Indian National Congress in 1969. He had managed the successfulelection campaign for independent candidate Krishna Menon during the by-elections in Midnapore. Prime Ministerand Congress supreme leader Indira Gandhi recognized his talents and made him a part of her party.[23] Gandhi gaveMukherjee a seat in the Rajya Sabha (upper house) of the parliament from the Congress party in July 1969.Mukherjee was later re-elected in 1975, 1981, 1993 and 1999.[12]

Mukherjee became a staunch Indira Gandhi loyalist. He was described as her "man for all seasons".[5] Mukherjee'srise was meteoric in the early phase of his career and he was appointed Union Deputy Minister of IndustrialDevelopment in Indira Gandhi's cabinet in 1973. Mukherjee was active in the Indian cabinet during the Emergency.Ruling politicians of the day including Mukherjee were accused of using extra-constitutional power centres to"wreck established norms and rules of governance". The Shah commission under the Janata party indictedMukherjee but the commission was itself later indicted for stepping "outside its jurisdiction" in 1979. Mukherjeeemerged from it unscathed and rose through a series of cabinet posts to become the Finance Minister of India from1982 to 1984.[24][25] His term was noted for his work in improving the finances of the government that enabledIndira Gandhi to score a political point returning the last instalment of India's first IMF loan.[6] It was PranabMukherjee — in his stint as Indira Gandhi's Finance Minister — that had signed the letter appointing Dr. ManmohanSingh as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.[23]

Pranab Mukherjee addressing delegates of 42ndRegional Conference of SIRC of Institute of

Chartered Accountants of India.

Indira Gandhi made Mukherjee the Deputy Leader of the Congress inthe Rajya Sabha in 1978. He was made Leader of the House in theRajya Sabha in 1980. Mukherjee was considered the top ranking Indiancabinet minister and he even presided over the cabinet meetings in theabsence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.[13]

The assassination of Indira Gandhi put Mukherjee's career with theCongress in jeopardy. The Rajiv Gandhi era saw the Congress sidelinesome Indira loyalists including Mukherjee for harbouring ambitions ofbecoming Prime Minister. Mukherjee saw himself, and not the rookieRajiv Gandhi, as the rightful successor to Indira Gandhi. He evenfloated the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (National SocialistCongress) party in 1986 in West Bengal which he would merge withthe Indian National Congress three years later after reaching acompromise with Rajiv Gandhi. Many analysts, over the years, haveattributed the muting of Mukherjee's political aspirations as thesupreme leader due to his inability to emerge as a magnetic mass leader.[5]

Mukherjee's political career revived following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 when P.V. Narasimha Raochose to appoint him as deputy chairman of the Indian planning commission and subsequently as a union cabinetminister. Mukherjee served as External Affairs Minister for the first time from 1995 to 1996 in Rao's cabinet.[12]

Pranab Mukherjee 84

Mukherjee today is considered to be a Gandhi family loyalist and the principal architect of Sonia Gandhi's entry intopolitics, a mentoring responsibility he is still believed to be shouldering.[5] He was made General Secretary of theAICC in 1998–99 after Sonia Gandhi became Congress President. Mukherjee was made President of the WestBengal Congress in 2000 and held the position until his resignation in 2010. He had earlier held the position in1985.[13]

Mukherjee became the Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha in 2004. He contested and won a Lok Sabha seat fromJangipur in West Bengal. Mukherjee retained his seat in the 2009 elections.[12]

Mukherjee was briefly considered for the post of the largely ceremonial Indian presidency in 2007. But his name wassubsequently dropped after his contribution in the Union Cabinet was considered practically indispensable.[26]

Mukherjee held many important posts in the Manmohan Singh government. He had the distinction of being theMinister for various high profile Ministries including Defence, Finance, and External Affairs. Mukherjee also headedthe Congress Parliamentary Party and the Congress Legislative Party which consists of all the Congress MPs andMLAs in the country apart from being Leader of the House in Lok Sabha and Bengal Pradesh Congress CommitteePresident.[12]

Mukherjee ended his affiliation with the Indian National Congress and retired from active political life following hiselection as President in 2012. The Economic Times had noted: "[the] decades of activity in critical all-round rolesmake [Mukherjee's] exit both a structural and generation shift. With him, the last of the Congress triumvirate – alongwith Rao and R Venkataraman – who formed the core team of Indira/Rajiv regimes bows out. While Rao becamePM, Pranab's political marathon too ends where [Venkataraman's] did, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan."[27]

Political party roleMukherjee is "very well respected within the party social circles."[28] Media accounts describe him as having "areputation as a number-crunching politician with a phenomenal memory and an unerring survival instinct."[29]

Mukherjee became a member of the Congress Working Committee on 27 January 1978. He also became a memberof the Central Parliamentary Board of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) that year. Mukherjee briefly heldthe position of treasurer of the AICC and the Congress party in 1978.[13]

Mukherjee was appointed chairman of the Campaign Committee of AICC for conducting National Elections toParliament in 1984, 1991, 1996 and 1998. He was chairman of the Central Election Coordination Committee of theAICC from 28 June 1999 to 2012. He was appointed to the Central Election Committee on 12 December 2001.Mukherjee was appointed General Secretary of the AICC in 1998.[13] In 1997 Mukherjee was voted OutstandingParliamentarian by the Indian Parliamentary Group.After Sonia Gandhi reluctantly agreed to join politics, Mukherjee was one of her mentors, guiding her throughdifficult situations with examples of how her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi would have done things.[30] His talentswere on display during the negotiations for the Patent's Amendment Bill in early 2005. The Congress was committedto passing an IP bill, but their allies in the United Progressive Alliance from the Left front had a long tradition ofopposing some of the monopoly aspects of intellectual property. Pranab Mukherjee, as Defence Minister, was notformally involved but was roped in for his negotiation skills. He drew on many old alliances including the CPI-Mleader Jyoti Basu (former Chief Minister of West Bengal), and formed new intermediary positions, which includedproduct patent and little else. Then he had to convince his own colleagues including commerce minister Kamal Nath,at one point saying: "An imperfect legislation is better than no legislation."[31] Finally the bill was approved onMarch 23, 2005.Mukherjee played a crucial role in steering the Cabinet pre Lok Sabha elections when Prime Minister ManmohanSingh underwent a by-pass surgery in 2008–09 by taking additional charges as chairman of the Cabinet CommitteeOf Political Affairs and Union Minister in Finance Ministry despite already being Union Minister of ExternalAffairs.

Pranab Mukherjee 85

Mukherjee was the recipent of “The Best Administrator in India” award in 2011. Prime Minister Manmohan Singhcommented: "Mr. Mukherjee's knowledge of parliamentary matters was stupendous. The wide respect hecommanded and his long association with the political leaders across the spectrum had proved invaluable inconducting the parliamentary business."[32]

Mukherjee's political skills and long experience in government have also led him to heading a large number ofcommittees of Ministers in the government, a device that has been employed to obtain consensus within themembers of the governing coalition on contentious issues. At the time of his resignation on being nominated asPresidential candidate, he was heading the following Group(s) of Ministers(GoM) and Empowered Group(s) ofMinisters (EGoMs):[33]

GoM EGoM

Review of Fertilizer Policy Spectrum Allocation

Location of National War Memorial Price Revision of Food Grains

Reports of Administrative Reforms Commission Pricing in Disinvestment of Public Sector Enterprises

Civil Aviation Drought Management

Issues relating to WTO Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt. Ltd

External Energy Security Interface Gas Pricing and Commercial Utilization

Law relating to Honour Killings National Highways Development Project

Paid News Ultra Mega Power Projects

Corruption Mass Rapid Transit System

Environmental issues relating to Coal Mining Shareholder Agreements of Public Sector Enterprises

Cold wave as an eligible calamity Under-recoveries of Oil Marketing Companies

Coal Mines Amendment Bill Special Economic Zones

ASEAN-India Economic Cooperation Agreement Competition Act, 2002

Accusations of corruptionMembers of Team Anna, an organization of supporters of Anna Hazare, have stated that on July 25, 2012 the datethat he shall take the oath of office, they will release proof of Mukherjee's alleged involvement in corruption.[34]

“The Prime Minister is corrupt…now we have a corrupt President as well,” Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwalsaid in a press conference[35][36]

Government Positions

Defence MinisterSonia Gandhi appointed Mukherjee Minister of Defence of India when the Congress came to power in 2004.Mukherjee held the post until 2006. He expanded co-operation with the United States during his tenure. The Timesof India reported on the Wikileaks cables release and noted how " [United States] is full of praise for the "uniformedleadership" of Indian armed forces, especially Navy, as well as ministers like Mukherjee." Mukherjee in June 2005had inked the 10-year Indo-US Defence Framework deal.[37]

Pranab Mukherjee 86

Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee with USPresident George W. Bush in 2008.

Mukherjee was appointed the External Affairs Minister of India in1995. Under his leadership, India was made "Full Dialogue Partner" ofASEAN as part of the Look East foreign policy initiated by NarasimhaRao. Mukherjee left the position 1996.

Mukherjee's second term began in 2006. He oversaw the successfulsigning of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement with the USgovernment and then with the Nuclear Suppliers Group, allowing Indiato participate in civilian nuclear trade in spite of not having signed theNuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Mukherjee left the position in 2009to take over the Finance ministry.

Finance Minister

Former Finance Minister of India PranabMukherjee played a central role in the

implementation of the Indo-US civilian nuclearagreement.

Pranab Mukherjee's first stint as the Finance minister of India wasduring the Indira Gandhi government in 1982. He presented his firstannual budget in 1982–83. Mukherjee's first term was noted for hiswork in improving the finances of the government and for successfullyreturning the last instalment of India's first IMF loan.[6] Mukherjeesigned the letter appointing Manmohan Singh as the Governor of theReserve Bank of India in 1982.[23] He was criticized for his supposedlinks with industralists such as Dhirubhai Ambani.[38]

Mukherjee was removed from his position as Finance Minister byRajiv Gandhi in 1984. Gandhi had wished to bring in his own team ofstaff to govern India.[27] Mukherjee was removed from his positioneven though he was rated as the best Finance Minister in the World

that year according to a survey of Euromoney magazine.[6]

Mukherjee returned to handling the finance of India during the premiership of Narasimha Rao. He was appointed theDeputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. Since the Prime Minister of India happens to be the ex-officiochairperson of Planning Commission of India, the position of the deputy chairperson has great significance. DuringMukherjee's tenure 1991–96, Dr. Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister oversaw many economic reforms to end theLicence Raj system and help open the Indian economy.[39]

Mukherjee again became the Finance Minister of India in 2009. He presented the annual budgets in 2009, 2010 and2011. The 2010–11 budget included the country's first explicit target to cut public debt as a proportion of GDP andMukherjee had targeted a budget deficit reduction to 4.1% of GDP in fiscal year 2012–13, from 6.5% in 2008–09.[9]

Mukherjee implemented many tax reforms. He scrapped the Fringe Benefits Tax and the Commodities TransactionTax. He implemented the Goods and Services Tax during his tenure. These reforms were well received by majorcorporate executives and economists. The introduction of retrospective taxation by Mukherjee, however, has beencriticized by some economists.[40]

Mukherjee expanded funding for several social sector schemes including the Jawaharlal Nehru National UrbanRenewal Mission. He also supported budget increases for improving literacy and health care. He expandedinfrastructure programmes such as the National Highway Development Programme. Electricity coverage was alsoexpanded during his tenure. Mukherjee also reaffirmed his commitment to the principle of fiscal prudence as someeconomists expressed concern about the rising fiscal defits during his tenure, the highest since 1991. Mukherjeedeclared the expansion in government spending was only temporary.

Pranab Mukherjee 87

In 2010 Mukherjee was awarded "Finance Minister of the Year for Asia" by Emerging Markets, the daily newspaperof record for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mukherjee was praised for "theconfidence [he] has inspired in key stakeholders, by virtue of his fuel price reforms, fiscal transparency and inclusivegrowth strategies".[8] The Banker also recognised him as "Finance Minister of the Year."[9]

The final years of Mukherjee in the finance ministry were not considered a success. The NDTV upon his resignationas Finance Minister in June 2012 wrote: "There [had] been a clamour from many quarters for a change in theFinance Ministry, with Mr Mukherjee having faced flak for several decisions where politics seemed to overwhelmeconomic imperatives."[41]

Other positionsMukherjee's positions in chronological order:• Union Minister of Industrial Development 1973–1974• Union Minister of Shipping and Transport 1974• Minister of State for Finance 1974–1975• Union Minister of Revenue and Banking 1975–1977• Treasurer of the Congress Party 1978–79• Treasurer of the All India Congress Committee 1978–79• Leader of the House of the Rajya Sabha 1980–85• Union Minister of Commerce and Steel and Mines 1980–1982• Union Minister of Finance 1982–1984• Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund 1982–1985• Board of Governors of the World Bank 1982–1985• Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank 1982–1984• Board of Governors of the African Development Bank 1982–1985• Union Minister of Commerce and Supply 1984• Chairman of the Campaign Committee of Congress for conducting national elections to Parliament 1984, 1991,

1996 and 1998• Chairman of the Group of 24 (a ministerial group attached to IMF and World Bank) 1984 and 2009–2012• President of the State Unit of Congress Party in West Bengal 1985 and 2000–10• Chairman of the Economic Advisory Cell of the AICC 1987–1989• Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission 1991–1996• Union Minister of Commerce 1993–1995• Union Minister of External Affairs 1995–1996• President, SAARC Council of Ministers' Conference 1995• General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee 1998–1999• Chairman of the Central Election Coordination Committee 1999–2012• Leader of the House of the Lok Sabha 2004–2012• Union Minister of Defence 2004–2006• Union Minister of External Affairs 2006–2009• Union Minister of Finance 2009–2012•• Elected President of India on July 22, 2012.

Pranab Mukherjee 88

Presidential electionThe veteran Congress leader became the President of India after over four decades of life in active politics.[42] Healso became the first Bengali to assume the post of the President of India.[26] He officially received 713,763 electoralvotes and was presented with the certificate on winning the elections from Rajya Sabha General Secretary. His rivalcandidate Sangma received 315,987 electoral votes.[43] Pranab Mukherjee gave his victory speech, outside hisresidence, before the results were officially announced:

"I would like express my deep gratitude to all of you who are waiting. The figure has crossed 7 lakhs,only one state remains. The final figure will come from the returning officer. I would like to thank thepeople of India for electing me to this high office. The enthusiasm, the warmth of the people wasremarkable. I have received much more from the people of this country, from the Parliament, than Ihave given. Now I have been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and defending theconstitution as President. I will try and justify the trust of the people. I would like to reciprocate thecongratulation Shri Purno Sangma has extended."[44]

Mukherjee was nominated as the presidential candidate of the UPA on 15 June 2012 after considerable politicalintrigue.[45][46] The elections were scheduled to be conducted on 19 July 2012 and the results were expected to beannounced on 22 July 2012. As many as 81 other candidates had filed nominations but the Election Commissionrejected all except that of P.A. Sangma, the nominee of the NDA.[47] In order to file his nomination for thepresidential poll on June 28, Pranab Mukherjee had resigned from the government on 26 June 2012.[41] Primeminister Manmohan Singh had taken the charge of finance ministry after Pranab Mukherjee's resignation.[48] He willbe officially sworn in by the Chief Justice of India on 25 July 2012 at 11:30 AM (IST).[49]

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254613-3. html). ibnlive. ibnlive. 4 May 2012. . Retrieved 11 July 2012.[6] "The Pranab Mukherjee Budget" (http:/ / www. business-standard. com/ india/ storypage. php?autono=386396). Business Standard. 22

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government-and-policy/ article2054913. ece). The Hindu. May 27 2011. . Retrieved 13 June 2011.[15] "Small price for big prize" (http:/ / www. telegraphindia. com/ 1120716/ jsp/ frontpage/ story_15733694. jsp). Telegraph India. 15 July

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[16] "Dancer who happens to be ‘his’ daughter-Father Pranab Mukherjee misses Sharmistha’s tribute to Tagore, mom in front row" (http:/ / www.telegraphindia. com/ 1110112/ jsp/ calcutta/ story_13426607. jsp). Telegraph India. 12 January 2011. . Retrieved 22 July 2012.

[17] 2 June 06 – Pranab Mukherjee, India's Defence Minister – January 15, 2011 (http:/ / www. iiss. org/ programmes/ south-asia/ministerial-addresses/ pranab-mukherjee/ )

[18] http:/ / www. finmin. nic. in/ fm_pranab_mukherjee. html[19] "Pranab Mujherjee’s son wants his LS seat, party to take call" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/

pranab-mujherjees-son-wants-his-ls-seat-party-to-take-call/ 978529/ ). 24 July 2012. .[20] "Pranab Mukherjee's Durga Puja at ancestral home" (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ news/ slide-show/

slide-show-1-photos-pranab-mukherjee-s-durga-puja-at-ancestral-home/ 20111004. htm). Rediff. 4 October 2011. . Retrieved 11 July 2012.[21] "Pranab resigned as ISI council chairman on June 20: ISI" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ India-news/ Kolkata/

Pranab-resigned-as-ISI-council-chairman-on-June-20-ISI/ Article1-882301. aspx). Hindustan Times. 2 July 2012. . Retrieved 12 July 2012.[22] "FM Pranab's first priority: Presenting budget 09-10" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/

fm-pranabs-first-priority-presenting-budget-0910/ 464858/ 3). Indian Express. May 23 2009. . Retrieved May 23 2009.[23] "Footsteps of Pranab" (http:/ / www. mathrubhumi. com/ english/ story. php?id=125466). Mathrubhumi. 29 June 2012. . Retrieved 11 July

2012.[24] "The tallest short man" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ The-tallest-short-man/ H1-Article1-512958. aspx). Sumit Mitra. The Hindustan

Times, February 26, 2010. . Retrieved 2010-02-27.[25] How they buried Shah Commission report, even without an epitaph (http:/ / www. expressindia. com/ ie/ daily/ 20000704/ ina04002. html)

Indian Express – July 4, 2000[26] "Pranab Mukherjee – The 13th President of India" (http:/ / zeenews. india. com/ news/ exclusive/

pranab-mukherjee-the-13th-president-of-india_789045. html). Zee News. 22 July 2012. . Retrieved 22 July 2012.[27] "Pranab Mukherjee’s exit from party politics is a loss and an opportunity" (http:/ / articles. economictimes. indiatimes. com/ 2012-07-04/

news/ 32537092_1_indira-gandhi-rajiv-gandhi-rahul-gandhi). The Economic Times. 4 July 2012. . Retrieved 13 July 2012.[28] "India's new foreign minister Mukherjee: a respected party veteran" (http:/ / servihoo. com/ Aujourdhui/ kinews/ afp_details.

php?id=140225& CategoryID=74). Agence France-Presse. 24 October 2006. . Retrieved 2007-04-09.[29] "India gets new foreign minister" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ south_asia/ 6079438. stm). BBC News. 4 October 2006. . Retrieved

2007-04-09.[30] GK Gokhale (19 April 2004). "Why is Dr. Singh Sonia's choice?" (http:/ / in. rediff. com/ news/ 2004/ may/ 19guest. htm). rediff.com. .

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Minister Pranab Mukherjee" (http:/ / www. thehindu. com/ news/ national/ article2735277. ece). The Hindu. . Retrieved June 12, 2011.[33] "Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India" (http:/ / cabsec. nic. in/ ). . Retrieved 1 May 2012.[34] http:/ / www. thehindu. com/ news/ national/ article3670404. ece[35] http:/ / news. oneindia. in/ 2012/ 07/ 23/ president-elect-pranab-mukherjee-is-corrupt-team-anna-1040392. html[36] http:/ / www. ndtv. com/ article/ india/ will-give-proof-of-corruption-against-pranab-mukherjee-on-july-25-claims-team-anna-246322[37] "US preferred Pranab Mukherjee over AK Antony as defence minister" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-09-06/ india/

30118195_1_logistics-support-agreement-communication-interoperability-geo-spatial-cooperation). Times of India. 6 September 2011. .Retrieved 12 July 2012.

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[39] Biswas, Soutik (14 October 2005). "India's architect of reforms" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ south_asia/ 3725357. stm). BBCNews. . Retrieved 11 December 2008.

[40] Bamzai, Sandeep (26 June 2012). "Pranab Mukherjee's stint as Finance Minister clearly wasn't his best" (http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/indiahome/ indianews/ article-2165096/ Pranab-Mukherjees-stint-Foreign-Minister-clearly-wasnt-best. html?ito=feeds-newsxml). Daily Mail.. Retrieved 13 July 2012.

[41] "Pranab Mukherjee resigns as Finance Minister; PM to take additional charge, say sources" (http:/ / www. ndtv. com/ article/ india/pranab-mukherjee-resigns-as-finance-minister-pm-to-take-additional-charge-say-sources-236331). NDTV. 26 June 2012. . Retrieved 13 July2012.

[42] "pranab-mukherjee-is-indias-13th-president-interesting-facts-details-profile" (http:/ / dhruvplanet. com/ 7888/pranab-mukherjee-is-indias-13th-president-interesting-facts-details-profile/ ). 22 July 2012. .

[43] "CNNIBN Blog" (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/ live-counting-of-votes-begins-for-president-poll/ 272800-37-64. html). 22 July 2012. .Retrieved 22 July 2012.

[44] "NDTV Blog" (http:/ / www. ndtv. com/ blog/ show/pranab-mukherjee-all-set-to-become-the-president-of-india-231924?pfrom=home-otherstories). 22 July 2012. . Retrieved 22 July 2012.

[45] Prabhu, Chawla. "Pranab nominated after Mulayam-Sonia secret meet" (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/pranab-nominated-after-mulayamsonia-secret-meet/ 266362-37-64. html). . Retrieved 4 July 2012.

[46] http:/ / in. news. yahoo. com/ hunt-begins-for-head-of-state. html

Pranab Mukherjee 90

[47] "Pranab Mukherjee, Sangma final candidates for Prez polls" (http:/ / www. dnaindia. com/ india/report_pranab-mukherjee-sangma-final-candidates-for-prez-polls_1710719). Daily News and Analysis. 4 July 2012. . Retrieved 4 July 2012.

[48] "Manmohan Singh takes charge of finance ministry" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ india/Manmohan-Singh-takes-charge-of-finance-ministry/ articleshow/ 14416045. cms). 26 June 2012. .

[49] "Veteran of Indian Politics Wins Presidency" (http:/ / online. wsj. com/ article/ SB10000872396390443570904577542652156623504.html?mod=WSJINDIA_hpp_LEFTTopStories). 22 July 2012. .

External links• Pranab Mukherjee (http:/ / www. pranabmukherjee. in/ ) – Official website• Parliamentary profile (http:/ / india. gov. in/ govt/ loksabhampbiodata. php?mpcode=4195) at India.gov.in• Pranab Mukherjee (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ topic/ Pranab-Mukherjee) collected news and

commentary at The Times of India• Pranab denies UPA penalising non-Congress Governments (http:/ / indiatoday. intoday. in/ story/

pranab-mukherjee-jayalalithaa-upa-non-congress-govts/ 1/ 157224. html)

Article Sources and Contributors 91

Article Sources and ContributorsList of Presidents of India  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503907982  Contributors: 1ifes4v3r, A1ananth, Abhilashreddy45, Abhiramreddy, Abitoby, Akash89,Akhil.bharathan, Akhilkri, Alokprasad84, Amit6, Animeshkulkarni, Arun, Asdf gh kan aimen, Azteclipedia, Calliopejen1, Casablanca2000in, Chamal N, CommonsDelinker, Crusoe8181,DRAGON BOOSTER, Dabomb87, Daffy123, Date delinker, Debresser, Docu, Donarreiskoffer, Donrub, ESkog, ElinorD, Enric Naval, Faizhaider, Favonian, Fayenatic london, Fifthman,Franklinpatrao, GMMarques, Ganeshk, Geeteshgadkari, GhanaDa, Giants27, Giggity5, Giraffedata, Gman124, Good Olfactory, Hammersoft, Hariehkr, Hemanshu, HexaChord, Himanshu satija,Idunno271828, JamesAM, Jaypatrikar, Joao Xavier, Jon Ascton, Jonathanfu, Jovianeye, Ka Faraq Gatri, Kamalreddy88, Karthikndr, Kwiki, La Pianista, Lihaas, MKar, Maahmaah, Magioladitis,Mahengct, Maimai009, Makks2010, Mark Arsten, Mark arden, MikeLynch, Miramar93, MohitSingh, Moonriddengirl, Murtasa, Muzi, Nader85021, Nepenthes, Nightstallion, NuclearWarfare,Ohconfucius, Pablo X, Patoldanga'r Tenida, Phanstar, Raivikas, Rajaram Sarangapani, Redtigerxyz, Rettetast, Reywas92, Rjwilmsi, Sandeep p19, Shashwat986, ShayanAnwer,Shubhamsharma98, Shyamsunder, Spade and Shovel, Spiffy sperry, Sundostund, Supertigerman, Tejas.B, The ed17, Therequiembellishere, Tmol42, Visheshta malhotra, Visu1178, Vkalaga2,Welsh, WikHead, Wiki13, Wikipelli, Yadavjpr, Zoltan Bukovszky, 262 anonymous edits

Rajendra Prasad  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503448582  Contributors: Aakriti 321, Acrajan, Adam37, Adarshlalit, AdityaRachakonda, Ahoerstemeier, Alan Liefting,Aldis90, Alren, Altes, Ambuj.Saxena, Andries, Ankur, Arch dude, Arun, Atticus Finch, Avicennasis, B2bsutra, Badanedwa, Bbsrock, Bhadani, Biruitorul, Bn bt ec01, Bobo192, Boolyme,Canterbury Tail, Chandan Guha, Chankara, Chip123456, Chris the speller, Conti, Cs-wolves, D6, Dapsv, Davehi1, Delhite, Dimadick, Ekabhishek, Everyking, Evolve75, Fat pig73, Fayenaticlondon, Fconaway, Gaius Cornelius, Gangadri, Gareth E Kegg, Geniac, Gobbleswoggler, Gobeshock Gobochondro Gyanotirtho, Gurubrahma, Hayabusa future, Hellknowz, Hornplease,Howcheng, Iain99, Ichwan Palongengi, IndianCow, J36miles, Jaba1977, Jajhill, Jamdav86, Jjasi, Jonathunder, Jovianeye, Kanwaldhindsa, Kate, Kkm010, Kkumsindia, Kunjan1029, Kushal2091,L Kensington, Leonidas Metello, LordGulliverofGalben, Lovysinghal, MER-C, Materialscientist, Medtopic, MercZ, Mereda, Mewaqua, MilborneOne, Moonraker, Mpradeep, Murtasa,Mutehouri, Nirav.maurya, Nprakash, Nyttend, Octahedron80, Oddharmonic, OrenBochman, P.K.Niyogi, Patoldanga'r Tenida, Paukrus, Pectore, Phil R, Pill, Pramanick, Profbond07, Pupil fromindia, Puthussery, Qaz, QuickClown, Ragib, Rama's Arrow, Ramrao, Randhirreddy, Rangilo Gujarati, Redtigerxyz, RegentsPark, Relata refero, Rich Farmbrough, RickK, Riley Huntley,Riyaziqbal, Rjwilmsi, RobNS, RogDel, Rohitde, Roland zh, Saket301990, Samitus mallicus, Sardanaphalus, ShayanAnwer, Shivap, Shshshsh, Shyamsunder, Sidhu Jyatha, Sitush, Sjasty,Sms2sunil, Splash, Sumalsn, Sumitsinha lko, Sunil.du.lis, Sunny singh9128, Super cyclist, Supten, Suri 100, Tabletop, Teplice, Ústecko, TheSoundAndTheFury, Therequiembellishere,Timberframe, TyagiPriyanka, Vanobamo, Vikashk 007, Vr, Waacstats, Wikirao, Woohookitty, YellowMonkey, Zzyzx11, 240 anonymous edits

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503603296  Contributors: 15turnsm, 4twenty42o, Abecedare, Abhishek191288, AdityaRachakonda, AdjustShift,Aetheling, Ahfaz1, Aidan Work, Aleenf1, AlexanderLondon, Alren, Alurimahee, Anil Kr Gupta, Ankur, Anual, Arvind Iyengar, Ashwin S, Atharv Pawar, Aumnamahashiva, AusTerrapin,Ayrton Prost, Bakasuprman, Baronnet, Barticus88, Bill william compton, Biruitorul, BrahmanAdvaita, BrokenSphere, BrownyCat, C21K, Chandunaresh, Charles Matthews, Cheney123,Chicheley, Chirag, Cinik, Clasqm, Clithering, Closedmouth, Colonies Chris, CommonsDelinker, Conti, Cpbaherwani, Craigy144, D6, DarkAudit, Darkness Shines, Dav subrajathan.357,Debnathsandeep, Demophon, DerBorg, Devadaru, Deville, Dhanu86, Dimadick, Duh Svemira, Ekabhishek, Electriccatfish2, Equendil, Eugen Simion 14, Everyking, Explicit, Falcon8765, Fanra,Fat pig73, Fatal!ty, Favonian, Fawcett5, Firefly322, Fredrik, GDibyendu, Galloping Ghost U of I, Generalboss3, Girish cs, Gman124, Gobonobo, Goethean, GoingBatty, GoodDay, Gopaljirai,Graham87, Gurubrahma, Hemanshu, Hgilbert, Hiteccity, I dream of horses, Ichwan Palongengi, Idleguy, Ikanreed, IndianCow, Irumbalayar, J JMesserly, J.delanoy, Jaba1977, Jackol, Jacob.jose,Jajhill, Jarry1250, Jncraton, Joao Xavier, Joseph Solis in Australia, Jovianeye, Jusdafax, Kanatonian, Kanchanamala, Kant4u, Katarighe, Katieh5584, Kaysov, Kelisi, Kenshin, Kkm010, Kodhia,Krishnaeee, Kumarilabhatta, Kushal2091, Langdell, Last Contrarian, Lightmouse, Lights, Lizzmo, Lone.Wolf, LordGulliverofGalben, MER-C, Mahee wiki, Margoz, Marosha, Masterpiece2000,Materialscientist, Medtopic, Mkrishu, Mpradeep, Mukerjee, Murtasa, Myaoon, N5iln, Nagarjuna198, Namanaganesh, Nayvik, NekoDaemon, Ninja neko, Nivas28, Octahedron80, Olessi, OliverLineham, Omnipaedista, Optimist on the run, OsirisV, Palica, Pavaniprasanna, Pavn123, Phil R, PhilKnight, PhnomPencil, Phoe6, Presearch, Puthussery, Quadell, Quinsareth, R'n'B, RS1900,Raafael, Rahulghose, Ramananrv123, Randhirreddy, Rangilo Gujarati, Ravichandar84, Redtigerxyz, Relata refero, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Rockoprem, Rocktruly18, Rohinikumart, Rohitde,Rohith goura, Roland zh, Ronaknaik999, Rrjanbiah, Rudolf 1922, Rudrasharman, Rupakbiswas, Russavia, S3K1989, SNIyer12, Salih, Sam Spade, Sanjay Tiwari, Sarat09, Sarat2010,Sateshcsingh, Satyajitkasar.82, Servophbabu, Sharadaprasad, Shekure, ShelfSkewed, Sherurcij, Shivap, Shivashree, Shrao, Sidhu Jyatha, Sietse Snel, Sikandarji, Simonides, Skcpublic, Solus ipseInc., SpacemanSpiff, Spanchangam, Sray, Sreekanthv, Sreicanth, Sridharbt, Sumanthk, Swansnic, Swarm, Tejas.B, Tellervo, TheMandarin, Theismcontrib, Themfromspace,Therequiembellishere, Toddst1, Tomisti, TonyW, Trudylan, Tulikadube, Utcursch, Veeraa83, Verbum Veritas, Vikram ganupur, ViriiK, Viswanath2006, WikHead, Wiki-uk, Wikidas,Wikifanindia13, Wikipelli, Wikivedalankara, Woohookitty, YUL89YYZ, YellowMonkey, Yerpo, Yogagates, Zigger, Zzyzx11, 437 anonymous edits

Zakir Hussain (politician)  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503603048  Contributors: Aashaa, Abduler.11, Abecedare, Academic Challenger, Acrajan, AdjustShift, Alai,Alren, Ankur, Anupam, Aspects, Avenue X at Cicero, Bakasuprman, Ben Ben, Bentogoa, Bhadani, Bhawani Gautam, Bigaln2, Bill william compton, Biruitorul, Cheney123, CommonsDelinker,Conti, Coyets, D6, DRAGON BOOSTER, Dav subrajathan.357, Deepak (old), Deeptrivia, Dewan357, Dictator Asad, Dimadick, Drpickem, Ds gangwar, Ekabhishek, Electriccatfish2, Ervivek,Everyking, Faizhaider, Falcon007, Fanra, Fat pig73, Fehed, Fournax, GDibyendu, GhanaDa, Gobonobo, GoodDay, Gurubrahma, Hashemi1971, Ichwan Palongengi, Idunno271828,IndianGeneralist, Jaba1977, Jajhill, Janggeom, Jeff5102, John, John of Reading, Jovianeye, Kingturtle, Kkm010, Kondareddy, Kushal2091, LloydKame, MER-C, MKar, Macarism, Maksud,Manikfan, Maqami, Masterpiece2000, Meh.ahd, Mentifisto, Murtasa, Murugeshvk, Namiba, Nandesuka, Nathan, Navedmasood, NekoDaemon, Nurg, Ohconfucius, Omer123hussain,Ottawakismet, Phil R, Piano non troppo, Rabinpatra, Rajasekhar1961, Randhirreddy, Rangilo Gujarati, Ravichandar84, Rjwilmsi, Sarvagnya, Shyamsunder, Sidhu Jyatha, Snoyes, Stallions2010,Sundostund, The Madras, TheParanoidOne, Therequiembellishere, TinaSparkle, Totalitarian Asad, Triple MMM, Utcursch, Visu1178, WereSpielChequers, WoodElf, YellowMonkey, Zscout370,Šāhzādé, 石, 95 anonymous edits

V. V. Giri  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503693553  Contributors: Abitoby, Academic Challenger, Acrajan, Akkida, Akuindo, Alren, Andrew Gwilliam, Ankur,Ansinvincible, Ansumang, Anuragkjain, Aphistory1, Art LaPella, Bacus15, Bhadani, Bill william compton, Biruitorul, Brockert, BrownHairedGirl, Callelinea, Canley, CarTick, Chancemill,Cheney123, D6, Datepalm17, Dav subrajathan.357, Deville, Dimadick, Dispenser, Docu, Ekabhishek, Everyking, Fat pig73, Fredrik, Gene Nygaard, GoodDay, Gurubrahma, Harishp, IchwanPalongengi, ImpuMozhi, IndianGeneralist, Indrian, IronGargoyle, Jaba1977, John, Jonel, Kaysov, Kesinenimurthy, Kushal2091, Laobc, Lihaas, LilHelpa, Lord Emsworth, Lovysinghal,M0RD00R, Mairi, Maksud, Manikfan, Materialscientist, Mbell, Medtopic, Mewaqua, MohitSingh, Munvar.shaik, NatusRoma, Nayvik, NekoDaemon, Pablo X, Phil R, PrinceRegentLuitpold,Psubhashish, QuartierLatin1968, Qwyrxian, Rajasekhar1961, Rajeevmetta08, Randhirreddy, Rangilo Gujarati, Ravichandar84, RepublicanJacobite, Rich Farmbrough, Roland zh,Ruggermcdonnybrook, SFGiants, Salilb, Shivap, Shyamsunder, Sietse Snel, SuperHamster, Therequiembellishere, Titodutta, Umar Zulfikar Khan, VASANTH S.N., Woohookitty,YellowMonkey, Znkp, Zscout370, 64 anonymous edits

Mohammad Hidayatullah  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503399056  Contributors: Abduldesai, Abitoby, Asifaf, Aurorion, Avr0716ap, Bakasuprman, Bduke, BhawaniGautam, C.S.Abishek, Capricorn42, Dimadick, Dinesh smita, GoodDay, Ichwan Palongengi, IndianGeneralist, Iridescent, J Milburn, Jaba1977, Jovianeye, Kintetsubuffalo, Kp.ascent, Langrabbie, Linguisticgeek, MohitSingh, Pectore, Puthussery, Rangilo Gujarati, Saeedghazi, SatuSuro, SchreiberBike, Shivap, Sumanch, Tarun2k, Tassedethe, Therequiembellishere, 40 anonymousedits

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503717366  Contributors: 19thPharaoh, Acrajan, Akuindo, Alren, Ankur, Anoopan, Anual, Arunram, Avr0716ap,Bakasuprman, Bhawani Gautam, Bill william compton, Biruitorul, Chaipau, Chhora, Czarkoff, Dav subrajathan.357, Deyyaz, Dimadick, Ekabhishek, Elonka, Ev, Fconaway, Getoar, GhanaDa,GoodDay, Ground Zero, Gurubrahma, Hornplease, Icairns, Ichwan Palongengi, Ideal gas equation, Jaba1977, John, Jschauhan, Kabuli, Laobc, Mairi, Manikfan, Michael Snow, Murad67, Nam,Ntrikha, Patoldanga'r Tenida, Pharaoh of the Wizards, Puthussery, R. fiend, Rajeevmass, Rangilo Gujarati, RogDel, Rudrasharman, S h i v a (Visnu), Saif lon, Sameerarabi, Searcher 1990,Shivap, Shyamsunder, Sitush, Tarikur, Therequiembellishere, Unmesh Bangali, Utcursch, VASANTH S.N., Vedant, Vzbs34, Waacstats, YellowMonkey, संभाजीराजे, 39 anonymous edits

Basappa Danappa Jatti  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503399120  Contributors: Abhishekraom, Abitoby, Academic Challenger, Acrajan, Ansumang, Biruitorul,Bsskchaitanya, C21K, Colonies Chris, Dalf, Dav subrajathan.357, Der Sporkmeister, Dev1979, Deville, Dimadick, Dineshkannambadi, ENVI1, Fat pig73, GhanaDa, GoodDay, IchwanPalongengi, IndianCow, IndianGeneralist, JRN08, Jovianeye, Kali-K, Kensplanet, Kwamikagami, Longhair, MeltBanana, Nick Number, P yush, Puthussery, Rajaramraok, Rajeevk ms, RangiloGujarati, Rhollenton, Rjwilmsi, RogDel, RussBlau, Salih, Shahab, Sumalsn, Therequiembellishere, TonyW, Trevor MacInnis, Viswanathasagar, Waacstats, 19 anonymous edits

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503557801  Contributors: Academic Challenger, Acrajan, Akuindo, Alai, AlasdairGreen27, Alren, Anetode, Ankur,Arun, Arunram, BD2412, Bacus15, Bhaskarchiru, Biruitorul, Bsskchaitanya, Chaduvari, CommonsDelinker, Connormah, Cparimi, DRAGON BOOSTER, Dav subrajathan.357, Dimadick,Donrub, Drmies, Getramkumar, GhanaDa, GoodDay, Hall Monitor, HennessyC, Hindustanilanguage, Iridescent, Jaba1977, JackofOz, Jayanth n, John, Johnpeter1000, Jovianeye, Kaysov,Kolappan, Linguisticgeek, Mairi, Manikfan, Mereda, Mokgen, NekoDaemon, OmerKhetran, Osarius, Paracel63, Patoldanga'r Tenida, Pouya, Praneeth11, Puthussery, RS1900, Rajasekhar1961,Rama's Arrow, Ramcrk, Rameshbabu.vummadi, Rangilo Gujarati, RedWolf, Rjaklim, S h i v a (Visnu), SFGiants, Salih, Sekharg, Shivap, Shyamsunder, Sitush, Snake bgd, Sreedharv, Sumalsn,The Silent Contributor, Therequiembellishere, Thiseye, Toussaint, Waacstats, Wahabijaz, Woohookitty, YellowMonkey, Znkp, 54 anonymous edits

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R. Venkataraman  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503905443  Contributors: AMFriedman, Academic Challenger, Acrajan, Akuindo, Alai, Ambarish, Andres, Ankur,Arunram, Bakasuprman, Beno1000, Berasategui, Bharatveer, Biruitorul, Canadian Paul, Canuckian89, CarTick, Chancemill, Chandlerjoeyross, Cheney123, CommonsDelinker, Connormah,Cosprings, Crunch, D6, Dav subrajathan.357, David the Aspie, Deb, Dimadick, Docu, Dunnob, Ekabhishek, Eugen Simion 14, Everyking, Favonian, Fconaway, Gene Nygaard, Good Olfactory,GoodDay, Hibayathullah, Hindustanilanguage, Hornplease, IW.HG, InMooseWeTrust, IndianCow, Jaba1977, Jaisingh rathore, Jajhill, JamesBWatson, Jangid, Jetman, Jovianeye, Juiced lemon,Karnan, Kumarrajendran, M0RD00R, Mairi, Manavendra pratap, Manikfan, Medtopic, Metlin, Mrnags, Munita Prasad, Mypatrika, Npnkumar, Off2riorob, OldakQuill, Pectore, Phil R,Puthussery, Rajasekhar1961, Rajev, RandomOrca2, Rangilo Gujarati, Ravichandar84, Redtigerxyz, RogDel, Rrjanbiah, Saffronguy, Sarvagyana guru, SchreiberBike, Shadowjams, Shiv1986,Shivap, Shoessss, Shyamsunder, SpacemanSpiff, Srini81, Sriram52, Stemonitis, Sticksnstones, SuperHamster, Therequiembellishere, Timofeyevich, Tseno Maximov, WWGB, Waacstats,Wmahan, Zekrollah, ศรีกฤษณะ รามจันทรา, 94 anonymous edits

Shankar Dayal Sharma  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=501171273  Contributors: Abhinay.leo, Academic Challenger, Acrajan, AdityaRachakonda, Akuindo, Al3xil, Alai,Amitabh200, Anandh88, Arunram, Bakasuprman, Berasategui, Bhimsen Sharma, Biruitorul, Bobbytheonlyone, Cheney123, Cjs2111, CommonsDelinker, Connormah, Crisco 1492, D6, Danward,Dav subrajathan.357, Dimadick, Dr Amit Sharma, Ekabhishek, FurrySings, Gangulybiswarup, GoodDay, Gurch, Gurubrahma, Hariehkr, IndianGeneralist, John, Jovianeye, Karnan,Krishnavedala, Lihaas, Manikfan, Martin.Budden, Medtopic, Mereda, Middayexpress, Moonraker, Netpilot43556, Neutrality, Palakmathur, Pranav21391, Puthussery, Queenmomcat, RajaramSarangapani, Rajev, Rama's Arrow, Rangilo Gujarati, Roland zh, SQGibbon, Scanlan, Scope creep, Sesamevoila, Shaili.agrawal, Shivap, Shyamsunder, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington,Skysmith, SpacemanSpiff, TRBP, Therequiembellishere, Toussaint, Uditruia, Utcursch, Waacstats, YellowMonkey, Znkp, కిరణ్మయి, 74 anonymous edits

K. R. Narayanan  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503716047  Contributors: Adashiel, Aksi great, Akuindo, Andre Engels, Andrew Gray, Ankur, AreJay, Arunram, Ashleythomas80, Ashokkrishna, Aswathy.coolteen, Aumnamahashiva, Avinesh, Barticus88, Basilo12, Berasategui, Bfigura, Bharatveer, Bill william compton, Biruitorul, Bobblewik, CarTick,Chanvis18, Cheney123, Connormah, D6, Dav subrajathan.357, Dimadick, Doldrums, DragonflySixtyseven, ESkog, Ebyjjose, Ekabhishek, El Pollo Diablo, ElinorD, Ericjohn, Everyking, FF2010,Gaius Cornelius, GateKeeper, Gman124, Goingoveredge, Golbez, Gonzonoir, GoodDay, Ground Zero, Grumpyyoungman01, Gurch, Gurubrahma, Hajor, Happywith006, Harikw, Harryboyles,Henrik, Hindustanilanguage, Hintha, Hornplease, Hullaballoo Wolfowitz, Italo, J JMesserly, JIP, JackofOz, Jajhill, Japanese Searobin, Jay, JeLuF, Jeff.lopezstuit, Jeff5102, Joao Xavier, John,Johnleemk, Joshua Issac, Jovianeye, Jrp, Karnan, Ken Gallager, Kkm010, Krungthep, Ligulem, Lord Emsworth, Lotje, Lugnuts, Manikfan, Mattbr, Mav, Mereda, MisfitToys, MohitSingh,Moonraker, Morgankevinj huggle, Netpilot43556, Nichalp, Nileena joseph, Off2riorob, PBP, Pamri, Paul August, Pectore, Phil R, Polar, Pournami, QuartierLatin1968, R'n'B, Rajev, Rama'sArrow, Rangilo Gujarati, Ravidreams, Reinhardheydt, Relata refero, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Rmpfu89, Rudolf 1922, Russavia, SAUGAT 1982, Sahodaran, Salih, Sanguinity, Shyamsunder,Sidmohan, Sitush, Splash, Sray, Sritri, Tassedethe, The Madras, TheCuriousGnome, Therequiembellishere, Timrollpickering, Tinucherian, TommyBoy, Tpbradbury, Tri400, Tripping Nambiar,Varada, Vzbs34, Waacstats, Williamb, YellowMonkey, Zvar, Δ, ศรีกฤษณะ รามจันทรา, 达 伟, 133 anonymous edits

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Pranab Mukherjee  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=503912472  Contributors: 2001:630:D0:F118:105D:6640:B155:D51C, AAGNI DAS, AJonwiki, Abhinav619,Abhishek191288, Abitoby, AgniKalpa, Ajitavsahoo, Ajoraju, Aksi great, All Hallow's Wraith, Amartyabag, AnAnthro, Andrew Gwilliam, Anirvan, Ankurdas94, ArchStanton69, Arjayay, ArunKumar Gupta, Arunanandta, Ashokv, Ashwin147, Auntof6, Avenue X at Cicero, BPositive, Ben Ben, Bender235, Benea, Betterusername, Bionmba, Bless sins, Bluerasberry, Boldlyman,BrightStarSky, Brijeshk08, BrokenSegue, Captain-tucker, Chandan Guha, Chindia (China-India), Chris the speller, Cliniic, CommonsDelinker, Cpltwine, Crusoe8181, D6, DCI2026, DRAGONBOOSTER, Dantadd, Deva 840, Dewan357, Dilip4starplus, DisinheritedKnight, DuKot, Dwaipayanc, Edcolins, Eeekster, Ekabhishek, Electriccatfish2, Emperor Genius, Enric Naval, Everyking,Get mahim, Goodtimber, Gotipe, Gppande, GreatWhiteNortherner, Ground Zero, Harman152535, Haymaker, Hemanshu, Hitanshup89, Huandy618, InMooseWeTrust, India maniac,Indiainformations, Indian50, IndianGeneralist, Intwizs, Itai, JHunterJ, Jay.Here, Joseph Solis in Australia, Jovianeye, Joyson Prabhu, KIRTIKUMARKASAT, Kakadesi, Kallidaimaniac, Keilana,Khalid Mahmood, Khazar, Khazar2, Kkm010, Lihaas, Linguisticgeek, Lockesdonkey, Logicwiki, Lord Voldemort, LordGulliverofGalben, MKar, Magioladitis, Mairi, Maleabroad, Malekhanif,Manavendra pratap, Master purav, Masterpiece2000, Materialscientist, Maustrauser, Mcgillianaire, Mephistophelian, Mereda, MikeLynch, Mir Almaat 1 S1, MoonLichen, Mranit, Mukerjee,Munvar.shaik, Nawascl, Nentu, Nileena joseph, Niljem, Omnipaedista, P ranade, P.K.Niyogi, Pamri, Patchouli, Patoldanga'r Tenida, Paul E Ester, Paulmaddon, Pearll's sun, Pectore, Pkjha30,Prangshupghosh, Prashant desh, Puneet1011, Puthussery, Qwerty Binary, RMizo, Rahulmehta.one, Rajabasu, Ranban282, Randhirreddy, Ranjan.wants, Reaper Eternal, Redtigerxyz, Restname,Rich Farmbrough, Righteducation, Rishi.bedi, Robin klein, Roland zh, Roshanjf, Saksham, SameerKhan, Sandeeprgh, Satheeshasianet, Sen dp, Sesamevoila, Shahab, Shantanudutta,Shatrunjaymall, Shreejit Bandyopadhyay, Shyam, Shyamsunder, Smartk1987, Specs112, Srini81, Ssattri, Stancy corrs asia, Tbhotch, Tgeairn, The Magnificent Clean-keeper, TheBlueKnight,TheSpecialUser, TheTigerKing, Themfromspace, Therequiembellishere, Thinking-ape, Tide rolls, Trickytext, Umar420e, Utcursch, Vaibhavgupta1989, Vaishnavii, Varghesejacob, Vegpuff,Vi1618, Vrghs jacob, WaltBusterkeys, Whpq, Woohookitty, Zegr8, Znkp, Zntrip, Zoltan Bukovszky, අනුරාධ, 287 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 94

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Rashtrapati Bhavan-1.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Rashtrapati_Bhavan-1.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: DcastorFile:Rajendra Prasad portrait.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Rajendra_Prasad_portrait.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:User:LovysinghalImage:Radhakrishnan.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Radhakrishnan.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Indian Government workImage:NeelamSanjeevaReddy.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:NeelamSanjeevaReddy.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploader was Jayanth n aten.wikipediaImage:R Venkataraman.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:R_Venkataraman.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Original uploader wasJaisingh rathore at en.wikipediaImage:Shankar Dayal Sharma 36.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shankar_Dayal_Sharma_36.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Biswarup GangulyImage:K._R._Narayanan.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:K._R._Narayanan.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported  Contributors:Vladimir_Putin_in_India_2-5_October_2000-14.jpg: Presidential Press and Information Office derivative work: Faizhaider at en.wikipediaImage:AbdulKalam.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AbdulKalam.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Aneesh 90File:Pratibha Patil 2.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pratibha_Patil_2.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Original uploader wasKitkatcrazy at en.wikipediaFile:Pranab Mukherjee - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2009.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pranab_Mukherjee_-_World_Economic_Forum_Annual_Meeting_Davos_2009.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Daniel Case, Kkm010file:Rajendra Prasad portrait.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Rajendra_Prasad_portrait.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:User:LovysinghalImage:Dr Rajendra Pd. DR.Anugrah Narayan Sinha.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dr_Rajendra_Pd._DR.Anugrah_Narayan_Sinha.jpg  License: CreativeCommons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Bn bt ec01Image:Nehru bhulabhaidesai rajendraprasd aicc.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nehru_bhulabhaidesai_rajendraprasd_aicc.png  License: Public Domain Contributors: Original uploader was IndianCow at en.wikipediafile:Radhakrishnan.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Radhakrishnan.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Indian Government workFile:Radhakrishnan telugu signature.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Radhakrishnan_telugu_signature.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploaderwas Sai.bhagavatula at en.wikipediaFile:Varahagiri Venkatagiri Signature.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Varahagiri_Venkatagiri_Signature.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: V. V. GiriImage:HNLU.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:HNLU.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0  Contributors: MohitSinghFile:NeelamSanjeevaReddy.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:NeelamSanjeevaReddy.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploader was Jayanth n aten.wikipediafile:R Venkataraman.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:R_Venkataraman.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Original uploader wasJaisingh rathore at en.wikipediaFile:Ramaswamy Venkataraman's Autograph.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ramaswamy_Venkataraman's_Autograph.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: User:Hindustanilanguagefile:Shankar Dayal Sharma 36.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shankar_Dayal_Sharma_36.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Biswarup GangulyFile:Signature of Shanker Dayal Sharma.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Signature_of_Shanker_Dayal_Sharma.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Crisco1492, TsangeFile:K_R_Narayanan_Autograph.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:K_R_Narayanan_Autograph.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:HindustanilanguageFile:Vladimir Putin in India 2-5 October 2000-14.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Vladimir_Putin_in_India_2-5_October_2000-14.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution 3.0 Unported  Contributors: Presidential Press and Information Officefile:AbdulKalam.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AbdulKalam.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Aneesh 90File:APJ Kalam - Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:APJ_Kalam_-_Vikramjit_Kakati_2012.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: -File:Vladimir Putin with Abdul Kalam 26 January 2007.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Vladimir_Putin_with_Abdul_Kalam_26_January_2007.jpg  License:Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported  Contributors: Presidential Press and Information OfficeFile:A.P.J Abdul Kalam.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:A.P.J_Abdul_Kalam.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors: User:Pushkarvfile:PratibhaIndia.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:PratibhaIndia.jpg  License: Agência Brasil  Contributors: Deepak, FSII, Roland zh, Warburg, Yann, 1 anonymouseditsImage:Emblem of India.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Emblem_of_India.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Abhishekjoshi, BRUTE, Beao, Bender235,Cheguthan, Editor at Large, Eugenio Hansen, OFS, Faizhaider, Fred the Oyster, Fry1989, Gauravjuvekar, Havang(nl), Jappalang, Jed, Jmabel, Jovianeye, Kintetsubuffalo, Klemen Kocjancic,Legoktm, Leit, Magog the Ogre, Miljoshi, Nightstallion, Roland zh, Str4nd, Túrelio, Vaishu2, Wiki-uk, Xiengyod, Zscout370, 38 anonymous editsFile:Bengia Menia.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bengia_Menia.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0  Contributors: ahinsajainfile:Pranab Mukherjee - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2009.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pranab_Mukherjee_-_World_Economic_Forum_Annual_Meeting_Davos_2009.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Daniel Case, Kkm010File:Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister of India addressing the delagates at Regional Conference of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.JPG  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pranab_Mukherjee,_Finance_Minister_of_India_addressing_the_delagates_at_Regional_Conference_of_Institute_of_Chartered_Accountants_of_India.JPG License: Public Domain  Contributors: Vishnu NairFile:Bush meets Pranab Mukherjee.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bush_meets_Pranab_Mukherjee.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploaderwas Emperor Genius at en.wikipedia, photo by Eric DraperImage:Rice mukherjee after signing 123 agreement.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Rice_mukherjee_after_signing_123_agreement.jpg  License: unknown Contributors: Biplab.das, 1 anonymous edits

License 95

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/