One of the people whose personality and patriotism has made India a modern, powerful country is Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma. Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma, who dedicated his entire life to the nation, was an uncompromising freedom fighter, an efficient politician, and an efficient MP.
Biography of Shankar Dayal Sharma
| Name | Shankar Dayal Sharma[1] |
| Date of Birth | 19 August 1918 |
| Place of Birth | Aamon Village, Bhopal (now Madhya Pradesh) |
| Father’s Name | Khushilal Sharma |
| Mother’s Name | Subhadra Sharma |
| Education | 1/ St. John’s College 2/ Allahabad University 3/ Lucknow University 4/ Fitzgerald William College, 5/ University of Cambridge and 6/ Lincoln’s Inn and Harvard law college |
| Awards | 1/ LL. D degree from Vikram University and Bhopal University. 2/ Gold medal for social service from Lucknow University. |
| Died | December 26, 1999 |
Early Life and Education of Shankar Dayal Sharma
Shankar Dayal Sharma, a notable political figure in Indian parliamentary politics, was born on August 19, 1918 in present-day Madhya Pradesh but at that time the British Raj Indian village named Aamon village of Bhopal. His father’s name was Khushilal Sharma and his mother’s name was Subhadra Sharma.
Sharma, who was very talented in studies, studied at St. John’s College, Allahabad University, Lucknow University, Fitzgerald William College, Cambridge University and Lincoln’s Inn and Harvard Law College.
Shankar Dayal Sharma, who received his master’s degree in English literature, Hindi and Sanskrit, passed first class from Lucknow University and achieved L. L. M degree. Sharma later received his PhD from Cambridge University. Importantly, he received the diploma in Public Administration Award from the University of London. Dr.° Sharma taught in the law department at Lucknow University for nine years and taught at Cambridge University from 1946 to 1947. He later served as a Fellow at Lincoln’s Inn and Harvard Law College from 1947 to 1948.
Importantly, Shankar Dayal Sharma, a very talented and philanthropist, was awarded a gold medal for social service by Lucknow University. Shankar Dayal Sharma was also awarded honorary LL. D degree from Vikram University and Bhopal University. It may be recalled that Sharma also served as a Pro-Chancellor at Sagar University from 1956 to 1959.
Importantly, Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma, who was interested in the study of international affairs, rural development, law, philosophy, religion and education, was also very interested in the field of sports while studying in college and universities. Sharma also excelled as a player in athletics, swimming etc.
Dr. Sharma started practicing law in Lucknow in 1940. He also actively participated in India’s freedom struggle and joined the Indian National Congress. Dr.° Sharma served as president of Bhopal Congress Committee from 1950 to 1952. Importantly, Dr.° Sharma had been on various organisational issues of the Indian National Congress for more than 32 years from 1952 to 1984. From 1967 to 1968, Dr.° Sharma served as a member of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee and served in the Congress Working Committee for 20 years.
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Political Career
During the 1940’s he was involved in the struggle for Indian independence from the British colonial rule, and joined the Indian National Congress, a party which he would remain loyal for the rest of his life. It may be recalled that after India gained independence, the then Nawab of Bhopal Province wanted to remain independent instead of joining India, the Nawab of Bhopal expressed his wish to retain the Bhopal princely state as a separate unit. For which a democratic movement was launched to join Bhopal India against Nawab led by Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma and many others. Sharma was arrested for carrying the leadership by actively participating in this democratic movement. On 23 January 1949, Sharma was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for violating restrictions on public meeting. Under public pressure, the Nawab later released him, and signed the agreement for merger with the Indian Union on 30 April 1949. Bhopal Province was later merged with the Republic of India. Dr.° Sharma served as the Chief Minister of Bhopal state from April 1, 1952 to November 1956 after his association with India. It may be recalled that Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma was the youngest chief minister of the time to take over as chief minister.
Madhya Pradesh was formed in 1956 after the reformation of the state by merging several provinces with Bhopal. It may be recalled that after the formation of Madhya Pradesh, Dr.° Sharma served several important departments of the Government of Madhya Pradesh for a long time. Dr.° Sharma served as Cabinet Minister in the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Minister of Education, Law, Industry and Commerce, National Resources and Revenue from 1956 to 1967. Dr.° Sharma later served as Union Communications Minister from October 10, 1974 to March 24, 1977.
Importantly, Sharma took over as Governor of Andhra Pradesh on August 29, 1984 and held the post till November 25, 1985. After Andhra Pradesh, Dr.° Sharma took over as Governor of Punjab on November 26, 1985 and held the post till April 2, 1886. Later in Punjab, Dr.° Sharma served as Governor of Maharashtra till 1987. It may be recalled that Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma had performed various duties for a long time in parliamentary politics. Sharma was known to be a stickler for the parliamentary norms. He is known to have broken down in the Rajya Sabha while witnessing the member of the house create a din on a political issue. His grief brought back some order into the proceedings of the house.
Dr.° Sharma also served as the eighth Vice President of India until 1992. Dr.° Sharma was also elected as Rajya Sabha speaker for a five-year term. Dr.° Sharma is known to have stuck to every policy rule to make Parliament smooth as Rajya Sabha speaker.
Dr.° Sharma was elected as the ninth President of India till 1997 with 66% of the vote against George Gilbert Swell in 1992. During his last year as president, it was his responsibility to swear in three prime ministers. He didn’t run for a second term as president.
Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma also discussed literature even though he was actively involved in parliamentary politics. It may be recalled that Sharma wrote a poem on the Quran in the 1970s which is highly regarded among the Hindi/Urdu speaking Muslims in India and Pakistan. Sharma also published articles in various national and international magazines. Dr.° Sharma’s notable works are – Congress Approach to International Affairs, Kranti Drishta, Indo-Soviet Relations, Rule of Law and Role of Police.
Importantly, Dr.° Sharma delivered the valedictory address at several universities including Madras University as well as the second Sardar Patel Memorial Annual Lecture at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad.
Conclusion
It may be recalled that Dr.° Sharma visited Afghanistan, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Morissus, Morissus, Pakistan, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, He visited various countries around the world, including the United States etc. The International Bar Association presented Sharma with the ‘Living Legends of Law Award of Recognition’ for his outstanding contribution to the legal profession internationally and for commitment to the rule of law
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma died on December 26, 2019, while undergoing treatment at a Delhi hospital after suffering from an heart attack. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, a 1999 Indian short documentary features by A. K. Goorha covers his life and presidency. It was produced by the Government of India’s Films Division.
FAQ
1. When was Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma elected as the President of India?
Answer – Dr° Shankar Dayal Sharma was elected as the ninth President of India till 1997 with 66% of the vote against George Gilbert Swell in 1992.
2. When and where was Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma born?
Answer – Dr.° Sharma was born on August 19, 1918 in present-day Madhya Pradesh. But at that time in Aamon village of Bhopal.
3. What is the name of Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma’s parents?
Answer: Dr.° Sharma’s father’s name is Khushilal Sharma and mother’s name is Subhadra Sharma.
4. Why was Shankar Dayal Sharma imprisoned in 1948?
Answer – Dr.° Sharma was imprisoned in 1948 for actively participating in the Bhopal integration movement. Because after India gained independence, the then Nawab of Bhopal Province wanted to stay independent instead of joining India and it was opposed by Dr.° Sharma and many others.
5. When did Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma died?
Answer – Dr.° Shankar Dayal Sharma died on December 26 while undergoing treatment at a Delhi hospital in 1999 after suffering from an heart attack.
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