One of the individuals whose personality and patriotism has made India a modern, powerful country is Varahgiri Venkata Giri. Varahgiri Venkata Giri, who dedicated his entire life to the nation, was an uncompromising freedom fighter, skilled politician, working MP, a strong leader and a parent of the working class who spoke out for the rights of the working class.
Biography of Varahgiri Venkata Giri
| Name | Varahgiri Venkata Giri[1] |
| Date of Birth | 10 August 1894 |
| Place of Birth | Barhampur, Ganjam District, Orissa |
| Father’s Name | V.V Jogaya Pantlu |
| Mother’s Name | Suvadrama |
| Education | 1/ Khalikot College, Madras University, Chennai 2/ National University of Ireland, Dublin |
| Award | 1/1975 – Bharat Ratna Award |
| Death | June 24,1980 |
Early Life
The fourth person to hold the post of President of India’s highest constitutional post is Varahgiri Venkata Giri. Varahgiri Venkata Giri was known in the public community as VV Giri. V.V Giri also served as governor of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala before assuming the post of presidency.
Varahgiri Venkata Giri was born to a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family on August 10,1894 in Barhampur, then Madras (now Odisha). V.V Giri’s father’s name was V.V Jogaya Pantlu and mother’s name was Subhadrama. His father was an advocate by profession as well as a member of the Indian National Congress Party. V.V Giri’s mother Suvadrama on the other hand was a freedom fighter. Subhadrama was arrested and imprisoned for actively participating in the non-cooperation movement and civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and leading the civil disobedience movement from the front. V.V Giri completed his initial level of formal education at Khalikot College under Madras University. He later traveled to Ireland in 1913 to study law and completed law education in 1916 at the National University of Ireland and Society of King’s Inns in Dublin.
Also Read : Biography of A.P.J Abdul Kalam
Achievements
V.V Giri first spent his professional life in the Madras High Court after completing his law education in 1916 and returning to India. He also served as a general member of the Indian National Congress Party. V.V Giri actively participated in the Home Rule Movement that started under the leadership of Anne Besant. It may be recalled that V.V Giri, a man of immense nationalist spirit, had given up his prosperous legal career in the interest of actively participating in the non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. V.V Giri was first arrested and jailed in1922 for actively participating in the movement.
V.V Giri was closely associated with the Labour and Trade Union movement during his lifetime. He was a founding member of the All India Railway men’s Federation formed in 1923 and subsequently served as general secretary of All India Railway men s Federation for several years. Importantly V.V Giri was elected president of All India Trade Union Congress in 1926.
In addition to these, Varahgiri Venkata Giri spoke out loudly for the rights of workers in parallel with playing an important role in establishing the Bengal Nagpur Railway in 1928. Importantly, Varahgiri Venkata Giri represented industrial workers in India at the second round of table conference held in London in 1927, despite representing India at the International Labour Summit in ILO.
It may be recalled that in 1936, Varahgiri Venkata Giri was elected as a member of the Madras Assembly. He later served efficiently as minister of labour and industry in the cabinet of C. Rajagopalachari from 1937 to 1939. He also served as the convener of the National Planning Committee of India in 1938.
He served as the first High Commissioner of post-independence India in 1947 till 1951. He was subsequently elected to the Lok Sabha from Path Pattnam in Madras in the 1952 general elections and served as labour minister.
But V.V Giri played a key role in forming the Indian Society of Labour Economic after losing the 1957 general elections.
He served as governor of Uttar Pradesh in June 1957 till 1960 after a prolonged social and political affair. Later in Kerala, subsequently served as governor of Karnataka from 1960 to 1965 and also served as governor of Mysore for a short period of time.
It may be recalled that on May 13, 1967, he was elected as the third Vice President of independent India till May 3,1969. But importantly, V.V. Giri was sworn in as acting president on the same day after President Zakir Hussain died on May 3, 1969, on duty. V V Giri came under a lot of criticism while serving as president because he did everything on the advice of the Prime Minister at that time. But importantly, during his tenure as president, VV Giri took two special steps and completed two tasks. The Shimla Agreement was signed by India and Pakistan and took special steps for the nationalization of banks of 1969. The process of nationalizing banks undertaken by V.V Giri has played a special role in the Indian economy even after five decades.
Conclusion
In 1975, Varahgiri Venkata Giri was awarded the Highest Civilian Honour Award Bharat Ratna. But unfortunately, on June 24, 1980, he died of a heart attack.
Importantly, in 1974, by the Indian Department of Posts and Telegraph a postage stamp was released in V V Giri’s name. Later to preserve the memory of V.V Giri n 1995, the name of the The National Labour Institute was changed to V.V Giri National Labour Institute name. In addition, a main road, secondary training school and a market in his hometown of Badhampur have been named after him in memory of VV Giri.
Importantly, V.V Giri wrote two important books on workers. Those are the – Industrial Relations and Labour Problems in Indian Industry. He also wrote another book in 1976 with the title “My Life and Times.” Giri, who valued simple living but high-quality thinking, spoke out specifically for social equality and the rights of workers. V.V Giri emphasized the importance of always uniting against the exploitation of workers and against this inhuman act to protect the workers.
V.V Giri’s political integrity, values, strong personality, ideals will always be alive among the new generation. V.V. Giri, who has been hailed as a lawyer, politician, a man of great personality who has contributed to the field of literature, is popular and still relevant to his thoughts for his intellectual views, hard work and humble behaviour.
FAQ
1. When and where did V.V Giri born?
Ans: He was born on 10 August 1894 at Barhampur, Ganjam District, Orissa.
2. What is V.V giri’s contribution to Indian society?
Ans: V.V Giri’s entire life was in a state of overblown/elevated. He actively participated in India’s freedom movement that began against British rule. Importantly, he spoke out strongly against the exploitation of workers by uniting workers for their rights. He also played an important role in shaping Indian Society of Labour Economic.
3. What is the full name of VV Giri?
Ans: Varahgiri Venkata Giri.
4.What are the two revolutionary steps taken by V.V Giri while serving as President?
Ans: On July 2,1972, India and Pakistan signed the Shimla Agreement and took special steps to nationalise the bank of 1969.
5. When was V.V Giri sworn in as the President of India?
Ans: V.V. Giri was sworn in as a President on the same day after President Zakir Hussain died on May 3, 1969 on duty.
6. When was V.V Giri conferred with Bharat Ratna?
Ans: V.V Giri was honoured with India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1975 for his contribution to the social system of India.
7. When did V.V Giri died?
Ans: He died on June24,1980.
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