Morarji Desai

Morarji Desai

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Category: Politics

Morarji Desai Profile

  • Name:
  • Morarji Desai
  • Born:
  • February 29, 1896
  • Died:
  • April 10, 1995
  • Spouse:
  • Gujraben Desai
  • Awards:
  • Bharat Ratna

Morarji Desai Biography

Morarji Desai was an Indian freedom fighter who became the fourth Prime Minister of India. He served as the prime minster from 1977 to 1979. He was the first Non-Congress Prime Minister. He took peace initiatives between Pakistan and India during his tenure to avoid conflicts between two nations. He was awarded the highest award of Pakistan, Nishaan-e-Pakistan award by Pakistan government. He received Bharat Ratna award for his achievements. He is the only person to have received both these highest civilian awards from two countries.

 

He was born on 29th February 1896 in an Anavil Brahmin family in Bhadeli, Valsad in Bombay Presidency. He got his graduation from Wilson College, Mumbai and joined civil service in Gujarat. He left the service in 1924 and joined civil disobedience movement against British government. He had to spend many years in prison on account of his freedom struggle. He became an important leader of the Indian National Congress in Gujarat.

 

He had one son Kanti Desai and two grandsons Bharat and Jaideep Desai. He was elected as the Chief Minister of Bombay state in 1952. He also served as Home Minister of the state. During that time, he outlawed the portrayals of indecency in films. He followed Gandhian principles and was socially conservative. He favored free enterprise reforms. He had some issues with Nehru and when Nehru’s health was failing he was seen as the possible contender for the post of Prime Minister. However Lal Bahadur Shastri was made the next Prime Minister. After the death of Shastri in 1966, he fought with Indira Gandhi and lost to her.

 

He led a coalition government and Raj Narain and Charan Singh of the Janata Party forced him to resign. He retired from politics at the age of 83. He lived in Bombay and died at the age of 99 on 10th April 1995. 

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Updated: January 06, 2018

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