Gulzarilal Nanda
Introduction:
Gulzarilal Nanda was an Indian politician and economist who served as the Prime Minister of India twice. He played a significant role in the country’s economic and social development and was known for his integrity and dedication to public service. In this blog, we will explore his life, education, achievements, and the tragedy that marked his legacy.
Early Life and Education:
Gulzarilal Nanda was born on July 4, 1898, in Sialkot, Punjab, which is now a part of Pakistan. His father, Govindram Seksaria, was a successful businessman, and his mother, Vaishno Devi Seksaria, was a homemaker. Nanda was the youngest of their eight children.
Nanda attended Forman Christian College in Lahore, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He went on to obtain a master’s degree in economics from the University of Allahabad in 1921. After completing his studies, he joined the faculty of the University of Allahabad as a lecturer in economics.
Political Career:
In 1925, Nanda became involved in the Indian independence movement and joined the Indian National Congress. He worked closely with Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congress leaders in the struggle for Indian independence. Nanda was imprisoned several times for his involvement in the movement.
After India gained independence in 1947, Nanda was appointed as the Minister of Planning and Development in the first cabinet of independent India. He played a significant role in the country’s economic and social development, helping to establish a five-year plan for economic growth and development.
In 1951, Nanda was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, and was appointed as the Minister of Labour and Employment. He introduced several reforms aimed at improving working conditions and wages for laborers, and he helped to establish the Employees’ Provident Fund, a retirement savings scheme for employees.
In 1962, Nanda was appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, where he continued to work on economic development initiatives. He served in this role until 1964 when he was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs.
Prime Minister of India:
In 1964, after the sudden death of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Gulzarilal Nanda was appointed as the interim Prime Minister of India. He served in this role for 13 days until the Congress party elected Lal Bahadur Shastri as the new Prime Minister.
Nanda continued to serve as a cabinet minister under Shastri and played a significant role in the country’s response to the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War. He helped to mobilize the country’s resources and support for the war effort and worked to maintain national unity in the face of the conflict.
In 1966, after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, Nanda was once again appointed as the interim Prime Minister of India. He served in this role for 13 days until the Congress party elected Indira Gandhi as the new Prime Minister.
Achievements and Contributions:
Gulzarilal Nanda made significant contributions to India’s economic and social development during his long career in public service. He played a key role in the establishment of the country’s five-year plan for economic growth and development and helped to implement a number of important labor reforms.
Nanda also played a crucial role in maintaining national unity during times of crisis, such as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He was widely respected for his integrity, honesty, and dedication to public service.
Tragedy and Legacy:
Despite his many achievements and contributions, Gulzarilal Nanda’s legacy is marked by a tragic event that occurred in 1984.