Morarji Desai

In 1911, he tied the nuptial knot with Gujraben. The couple was blessed with five children.

Interestingly, despite coming from a politically active household, none excepting for his great grandson Madhukeshwar Desai shared his political ambition. Madhukeshwar Desai presently serves as the National Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP.

After retiring from active politics, he settled in Mumbai. He breathed his last on April 10, 1995, just one birthday short of living a century.

Morarji Desai was born in an orthodox Anavil Brahmin family on February 29, 1896 in Bhadeli, Valsad in Bombay Presidency. It was from his teacher father that young Morarji learned the value of hard work and truthfulness.

He attained his early education from Saurashtra the Kundla School and Bai Ava Bai High School. He pursued his graduation degree from Wilson College in Mumbai.

Upon completing his education, he joined the civil services and took up the profile of a Deputy Collector in 1918, which he served for 12 years until 1930, when he resigned after being found guilty of being soft on Hindus during the 1927-28 riots.

Having lost his faith in the British administration, he gave up on his governmental duties and joined Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle, and became a part of the latter’s Civil Disobedience Movement.

In 1931, he became a member of the All India Congress Committee and served as the Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee until 1937.

During the provincial elections held in 1937, he served as the Minister of Revenue, Agriculture, Forest and Cooperatives in the Bombay Presidency. However, this was short-lived as the Congress ministries went out of office in 1939, revolting against India’s involvement in World War without the consensus of the people.

During his involvement in the Indian Independence Movement, he was thrice imprisoned and gained a reputation for himself amongst freedom-fighters and Indian National Congress leaders as a spirited man with dynamic leadership qualities.

He was bestowed upon with Pakistan’s highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, for his extraordinary efforts in initiating peace between the two rival countries. Till date he is the only Indian national ever to receive the adoration.