C.V.

Raman Biography
Born: November 7, 1888
Died: November 21, 1970
Achievements: He was the first Indian scholar who studied wholly in India received the
Nobel Prize.

C.V. Raman is one of the most renowned scientists produced by India. His full name was
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. For his pioneering work on scattering of light, C.V. Raman
won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930.

Chandrashekhara Venkata Raman was born on November 7, 1888 in Tiruchinapalli, Tamil

Nadu. He was the second child of Chandrasekhar Iyer and Parvathi Amma. His father was a
lecturer in mathematics and physics, so he had an academic atmosphere at home. He entered
Presidency College, Madras, in 1902, and in 1904 passed his B.A. examination, winning the
first place and the gold medal in physics. In 1907, C.V. Raman passed his M.A. obtaining the
highest distinctions.

During those times there were not many opportunities for scientists in India. Therefore,
Raman joined the Indian Finance Department in 1907. After his office hours, he carried out
his experimental research in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of
Science at Calcutta. He carried out research
in acoustics and optics.

In 1917, Raman was offered the position of Sir Taraknath Palit Professorship of Physics at
Calcutta University. He stayed there for the next fifteen years. During his tenure there, he
received world wide recognition for his work in optics and scattering of light. He was elected
to the Royal Society of London in 1924 and the British made him a knight of the British
Empire in 1929. In 1930, Sir C.V. Raman was awarded with Nobel Prize in Physics for his
work on scattering of light. The discovery was later christened as "Raman Effect".

In 1934, C.V. Raman became the director of the newly established Indian Institute of
Sciences in Bangalore, where two years later he continued as a professor of physics. Other
investigations carried out by Raman were: his experimental and theoretical studies on the
diffraction of light by acoustic waves of ultrasonic and hypersonic frequencies (published
1934-1942), and those on the effects produced by X-rays on infrared vibrations in crystals
exposed to ordinary light. In 1947, he was appointed as the first National Professor by the
new government of Independent India. He retired from the Indian Institute in 1948 and a year
later he established the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore, where he worked till his
death.

Sir C.V. Raman died on November 21, 1970.

APJ Abdul Kalam

Born - 15 October 1931
Achievements - This eminent scientist and engineer
has also served as the 11th President of India from
the period 2002 to 2007. APJ Abdul Kalam is a man
of vision, who is always full of ideas aimed at the development of the country. He firmly believes that India needs
to play a more assertive role in international relations.

Apart from being a notable scientist and engineer, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India
from the period 2002 to 2007. He is a man of vision, who is always full of ideas aimed at the development of the
country and is also often also referred to as the Missile Man of India. People loved and respected Dr APJ Abdul
Kalam so much during his tenure as President that was popularly called the People's President. Read more
about the biography of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam here.

APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 at the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and received honorary
doctorates from about 30 universities globally. In the year 1981, the Government of India presented him the
nation's highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan and then again, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the
Bharat Ratna in 1997. Before Kalam, there have been only two presidents - Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Zakir
Hussain - to have received the Bharat Ratna before bring appointed to the highest office in India.

Read on about the life history of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who's also the first scientist and bachelor to occupy the
seat of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. His perspectives on important topics have been enunciated by him in the book
'India 2020'. It highlights the action plans that will help develop the country into a knowledge superpower by the
time 2020. One thing for which he received ample kudos is his unambiguous statement that India needs to play a
more assertive role in international relations.

And Dr APJ Abdul Kalam regards his work on India's nuclear weapons program as a way to assert India's place
as a future superpower. Even during his tenure as President, APJ Kalam took avid interest in the spheres of
India's science and technology. He has even put forward a project plan for establishing bio-implants. He is also
an ardent advocate of open source software over proprietary solutions to churn out more profits in the field of
information technology in India.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Biography

Born: April 14, 1891
Died: December 6, 1956
Achievements: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was elected as the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted
by the Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution for the independent India; he was the first Law Minister of
India; conferred Bharat Ratna in 1990.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is viewed as messiah of dalits and downtrodden in India. He was the chairman of the drafting
committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947 to draft a constitution for the independent
India. He played a seminal role in the framing of the constitution. Bhimrao Ambedkar was also the first Law
Minister of India. For his yeoman service to the nation, B.R. Ambedkar was bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 1990.

Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891 in Mhow (presently in Madhya Pradesh). He was the
fourteenth child of Ramji and Bhimabai Sakpal Ambavedkar. B.R. Ambedkar belonged to the "untouchable"
Mahar Caste. His father and grandfather served in
the British Army. In those days, the government
ensured that all the army personnel and their children were educated and ran special schools for this purpose.
This ensured good education for Bhimrao Ambedkar, which would have otherwise been denied to him by the
virtue of his caste.

Bhimrao Ambedkar experienced caste discrimination right from the childhood. After his retirement, Bhimrao's
father settled in Satara Maharashtra. Bhimrao was enrolled in the local school. Here, he had to sit on the floor in
one corner in the classroom and teachers would not touch his notebooks. In spite of these hardships, Bhimrao
continued his studies and passed his Matriculation examination from Bombay University with flying colours in
1908. Bhim Rao Ambedkar joined the Elphinstone College for further education. In 1912, he graduated in
Political Science and Economics from Bombay University and got a job in Baroda.

In 1913, Bhimrao Ambedkar lost his father. In the same year Maharaja of Baroda awarded scholarship to Bhim
Rao Ambedkar and sent him to America for further studies. Bhimrao reached New York in July 1913. For the first
time in his life, Bhim Rao was not demeaned for being a Mahar. He immersed himself in the studies and attained
a degree in Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Columbia University in 1916 for his thesis
"National Dividend for India: A Historical and Analytical Study." From America, Dr.Ambedkar proceeded to
London to study economics and political science. But the Baroda government terminated his scholarship and
recalled him back.

The Maharaja of Baroda appointed Dr. Ambedkar as his political secretary. But no one would take orders from
him because he was a Mahar. Bhimrao Ambedkar returned to Bombay in November 1917. With the help of
Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, a sympathizer of the cause for the upliftment of the depressed classes, he started a
fortnightly newspaper, the "Mooknayak" (Dumb Hero) on January 31, 1920. The Maharaja also convened many
meetings and conferences of the "untouchables" which Bhimrao addressed. In September 1920, after
accumulating sufficient funds, Ambedkar went back to London to complete his studies. He became a barrister
and got a Doctorate in science.

After completing his studies in London, Ambedkar returned to India. In July 1924, he founded the Bahishkrit
Hitkaraini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association). The aim of the Sabha was to uplift the downtrodden socially
and politically and bring them to the level of the others in the Indian society. In 1927, he led the Mahad March at
the Chowdar Tank at Colaba, near Bombay, to give the untouchables the right to draw water from the public tank
where he burnt copies of the 'Manusmriti' publicly.

In 1929, Ambedkar made the controversial decision to co-operate with the all-British Simon Commission which
was to look into setting up a responsible Indian Government in India. The Congress decided to boycott the
Commission and drafted its own version of a constitution for free India. The Congress version had no provisions
for the depressed classes. Ambedkar became more skeptical of the Congress's commitment to safeguard the
rights of the depressed classes.

When a separate electorate was announced for the depressed classes under Ramsay McDonald 'Communal
Award', Gandhiji went on a fast unto death against this decision. Leaders rushed to Dr. Ambedkar to drop his
demand. On September 24, 1932, Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji reached an understanding, which became the
famous Poona Pact. According to the pact the separate electorate demand was replaced with special
concessions like reserved seats in the regional legislative assemblies and Central Council of States.

Dr. Ambedkar attended all the three Round Table Conferences in London and forcefully argued for the welfare of
the "untouchables". Meanwhile, British Government decided to hold provincial elections in 1937. Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar set up the "Independent Labor Party" in August 1936 to contest the elections in the Bombay province.
He and many candidates of his party were elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly.

In 1937, Dr. Ambedkar introduced a Bill to abolish the "khoti" system of land tenure in the Konkan region, the
serfdom of agricultural tenants and the Mahar "watan" system of working for the Government as slaves. A clause
of an agrarian bill referred to the depressed classes as "Harijans," or people of God. Bhimrao was strongly
opposed to this title for the untouchables. He argued that if the "untouchables" were people of God then all others
would be people of monsters. He was against any such reference. But the Indian National Congress succeeded
in introducing the term Harijan. Ambedkar felt bitter that they could not have any say in what they were called.

In 1947, when India became independent, the first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, invited Dr. Bhimrao
Ambedkar, who had been elected as a Member of the Constituent Assembly from Bengal, to join his Cabinet as a
Law Minister. The Constituent Assembly entrusted the job of drafting the Constitution to a committee and Dr.
Ambedkar was elected as Chairman of this Drafting Committee. In February 1948, Dr. Ambedkar presented the
Draft Constitution before the people of India; it was adopted on November 26, 1949.

In October 1948, Dr. Ambedkar submitted the Hindu Code Bill to the Constituent Assembly in an attempt to
codify the Hindu law. The Bill caused great divisions even in the Congress party. Consideration for the bill was
postponed to September 1951. When the Bill was taken up it was truncated. A dejected Ambedkar relinquished
his position as Law Minister.

On May 24, 1956, on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, he declared in Bombay, that he would adopt Buddhism in
October. On 0ctober 14, 1956 he embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers. On December 6, 1956,
Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar died peacefully in his sleep.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Biography

Born: December 3, 1884
Died: February 28, 1963
Achievements: First President of independent India; President of the Constituent Assembly;
President of Congress in 1943 and 1939.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of independent India. He was the President of the
Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution. He had also served as a Cabinet Minister
briefly in the first Government of independent India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was one of the
foremost disciples of Gandhiji and he played a crucial role in Indian freedom struggle.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884 in Ziradei village in Siwan district of
Bihar. His father's name was Mahadev Sahay and his mother's name was Kamleshwari Devi.
Rajendra Prasad was youngest among his siblings. Mahadev Sahay was a Persian and
Sanskrit language scholar. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was greatly attached to his mother and elder
brother Mahendra.

At the age of five Rajendra Prasad was, according to the practice in the community to which
he belonged, put under a Maulavi who taught him Persian. Later, he was taught Hindi and
arithmetic. At the age of 12, Rajendra Prasad was married to Rajvanshi Devi.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was a brilliant student. He stood first in the entrance examination to the
University of Calcutta, and was awarded a
monthly scholarship of Rs.30. He joined the
famous Calcutta Presidency College in
1902. Here his teachers included the great scientist Jagdish Chandra Bose and the highly
respected Prafulla Chandra Roy. Later on he switched from Science to Arts and completed
his M.A. and Masters in Law. Meanwhile, in 1905, Doctor, Rajendra Prasad was initiated
into the Swadeshi Movement by his elder brother Mahendra. He also joined the Dawn
Society run by Satish Chandra Mukherjee, and Sister Nivedita.

The arrival of Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian national scene greatly influenced Dr. Rajendra
Prasad. While Gandhiji was on a fact-finding mission in Champaran district of Bihar, he
called on Rajendra Prasad to come to Champaran with volunteers. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was
greatly impressed by the dedication, conviction and courage that Gandhiji displayed.
Gandhiji's influence greatly altered Dr. Rajendra Prasad's outlook. He sought ways to
simplify his life and reduced the number of servants he had to one. He started doing his daily
chores such as sweeping the floor, washing the utensils-the tasks he had all along assumed
others would do for him.

After coming into contact with Gandhiji, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, immersed himself fully into
the freedom struggle. He played a active role during Non-Cooperation Movement. Dr.
Rajendra Prasad was arrested in 1930 while participating in Salt Satyagraha. He was in jail
when on 15 January 1934 a devastating earthquake struck Bihar. Rajendra Prasad was
released from the jail two days later and he immediately set himself for the task of raising
funds and organizing relief. The Viceroy also raised a fund for the purpose. However, while
Rajendra Prasad's fund collected over Rs.3.8million, the Viceroy could only manage one-
third of that amount. The way the relief was organized, it amply demonstrated the
administrative acumen of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Soon after this Dr Rajendra Prasad was
elected as the President of the Bombay session of the Indian National Congress. He was
elected as Congress President again in 1939 in the following the resignation of Netaji Subash
Chandra Bose.

In July 1946, when the Constituent Assembly was established to frame the Constitution of
India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected its President. Two and a half years after
independence, on January 26, 1950, the Constitution of independent India was ratified and
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as India's first President. As a President, he used his
moderating influence silently and unobtrusively and set a healthy precedent for others to
follow. During his tenure as President he visited many countries on missions of goodwill and
sought to establish and nourish new relationships.

In 1962, after 12 years as President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad retired, and was subsequently
awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award. He spent the last few months
of his life in retirement at the Sadaqat Ashram in Patna. Dr. Rajendra Prasad died on
February 28, 1963.

Jawaharlal Nehru Biography

Born: November 14, 1889
Died: May 27, 1964
Achievements: Took active part in Non-Cooperation Movement; elected President of the
Allahabad Municipal Corporation in 1924, and served for two years as the city's chief
executive; Presided over Congress' annual session in Lahore in 1929 and passed a resolution
demanding India's independence; elected as Congress President in 1936, 1937, and 1946;
became first Prime Minister of independent India; was one of the main architects of Non
Aligned Movement.

Jawaharlal Nehru, also known as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was one of the foremost leaders of
Indian freedom struggle. He was the favourite disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and later on went
on to become the first Prime Minister of India. Jawahar Lal Nehru is widely regarded as the
architect of modern India. He was very fond
of children and children used to
affectionately call him Chacha Nehru.

Jawahar Lal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889. His father Motilal Nehru was a famous
Allahabad based barrister. Jawaharlal Nehru's mother's name was Swaroop Rani. Jawaharlal
Nehru was the only son of Motilal Nehru. Motilal Nehru has three daughters apart from
Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehrus were Saraswat Brahmin of Kashmiri lineage.

Jawaharlal Nehru received education in some of the finest schools and universities of the
world. He did his schooling from Harrow and completed his Law degree from Trinity
College, Cambridge. The seven years he spent in England widened his horizons and he
acquired a rational and skeptical outlook and sampled Fabian socialism and Irish nationalism,
which added to his own patriotic dedication.
Jawaharlal Nehru returned to India in 1912 and started legal practice. He married Kamala
Nehru in 1916. Jawahar Lal Nehru joined Home Rule League in 1917. His real initiation into
politics came two years later when he came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi in 1919. At that
time Mahatma Gandhi had launched a campaign against Rowlatt Act. Nehru was instantly
attracted to Gandhi's commitment for active but peaceful, civil disobedience. Gandhi himself
saw promise and India's future in the young Jawaharlal Nehru.

Nehru family changed its family according to Mahatma Gandhi's teachings. Jawaharlal and
Motilal Nehru abandoned western clothes and tastes for expensive possessions and pastimes.
They now wore a Khadi Kurta and Gandhi cap. Jawaharlal Nehru took active part in the Non-
Cooperation Movement 1920-1922) and was arrested for the first time during the movement.
He was released after few months.

Jawaharlal Nehru was elected President of the Allahabad Municipal Corporation in 1924, and
served for two years as the city's chief executive. This proved to be a valuable administrative
experience for stood him in good stead later on when he became the prime minister of the
country. He used his tenure to expand public education, health care and sanitation. He
resigned in 1926 citing lack of cooperation from civil servants and obstruction from British
authorities.

From 1926 to 1928, Jawaharlal served as the General Secretary of the All India Congress
Committee. In 1928-29, the Congress's annual session under President Motilal Nehru was
held. During that session Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose backed a call for full
political independence, while Motilal Nehru and others wanted dominion status within the
British Empire. To resolve the point, Gandhi said that the British would be given two years to
grant India dominion status. If they did not, the Congress would launch a national struggle for
full, political independence. Nehru and Bose reduced the time of opportunity to one year. The
British did not respond.

In December 1929, Congress's annual session was held in Lahore and Jawaharlal Nehru was
elected as the President of the Congress Party. During that sessions a resolution demanding
India's independence was passed and on January 26, 1930 in Lahore, Jawaharlal Nehru
unfurled free India's flag. Gandhiji gave a call for Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930.
The movement was a great success and forced British Government to acknowledge the need
for major political reforms.

When the British promulgated the Government of India Act 1935, the Congress Party decided
to contest elections. Nehru stayed out of the elections, but campaigned vigorously nationwide
for the party. The Congress formed governments in almost every province, and won the
largest number of seats in the Central Assembly. Nehru was elected to the Congress
presidency in 1936, 1937, and 1946, and came to occupy a position in the nationalist
movement second only to that of Gandhi. Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested in 1942 during Quit
India Movement. Released in 1945, he took a leading part in the negotiations that culminated
in the emergence of the dominions of India and Pakistan in August 1947.

In 1947, he becamethe first Prime Minister of independent India. He effectively coped with
the formidable challenges of those times: the disorders and mass exodus of minorities across
the new border with Pakistan, the integration of 500-odd princely states into the Indian
Union, the framing of a new constitution, and the establishment of the political and
administrative infrastructure for a parliamentary democracy.

Jawaharlal Nehru played a key role in building modern India. He set up a Planning
Commission, encouraged development of science and technology, and launched three
successive five-year plans. His policies led to a sizable growth in agricultural and industrial
production. Nehru also played a major role in developing independent India's foreign policy.
He called for liquidation of colonialism in Asia and Africa and along with Tito and Nasser,
was one of the chief architects of the nonaligned movement. He played a constructive,
mediatory role in bringing the Korean War to an end and in resolving other international
crises, such as those over the Suez Canal and the Congo, offering India's services for
conciliation and international policing. He contributed behind the scenes toward the solution
of several other explosive issues, such as those of West Berlin, Austria, and Laos.

But Jawahar Lal Nehru couldn't improve India's relations with Pakistan and China. The
Kashmir issue proved a stumbling block in reaching an accord with Pakistan, and the border
dispute prevented a resolution with China. The Chinese invasion in 1962, which Nehru failed
to anticipate, came as a great blow to him and probably hastened his death. Jawaharlal Nehru
died of a heart attack on May 27, 1964.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Biography

Born: October 2, 1904
Died: January 10, 1966
Achievements: Played a leading role in Indian freedom struggle; became Parliamentary
Secretary of Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant, the then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh; became
the Minister of Police and Transport in Pant's Cabinet; appointed as the Railways and
Transport Minister in the Central Cabinet; also held the portfolios of Transport &
Communications, Commerce and Industry, and Home Ministry in the Central cabinet;
became Prime Minister of India in 1964; led India to victory over Pakistan in 1965 war.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of independent India. Though diminutive
in physical stature he was a man of great courage and will. He successfully led country
during the 1965 war with Pakistan. To mobilize the support of country during the war he
coined the slogan of "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan". Lal Bahadur Sastri also played a key role in
India's freedom struggle. He led his life with
great simplicity and honesty and was a great
source of inspiration for all the countrymen.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904 at Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh. His parents
were Sharada Prasad and Ramdulari Devi. Lal Bahadur's surname was Srivastava but he
dropped it as he did not want to indicate his caste. Lal Bahadur's father was a school teacher
and later on he became a clerk in the Revenue Office at Allahabad. Though Sharada Prasad
was poor, he lived a life of honesty and integrity. Lal Bahadur lost his father when he was
only one. Ramdulari Devi raised Lal Bahadur and her two daughters at her father's house.

There is a very famous incident regarding Lal Bahadur Shastri's childhood which took place
when he was six years old. One day, while returning from school, Lal Bahadur and his
friends went to an orchard that was on the way to home. Lal Bahadur Shastri was standing
below while his friends climbed the trees to pluck mangoes. Meanwhile, the gardener came
and caught hold of Lalbahadur Shastri. He scolded Lal Bahadur Shastri and started beating
him. Lal Bahadur Shastri pleaded to gardener to leave him as he was orphan. Taking pity on
Lal Bahadur, the gardener said, "Because you are an orphan, it is all the more important that
you must learn better behavior." These words left a deep imprint on Lal Bahadur Shastri and
he swore to behave better in the future.

Lal Bahadur stayed at his grandfather's house till he was ten. By that time he had passed the
sixth standard examination. He went to Varanasi for higher education. In 1921 when
Mahatma Gandhi launched the non-cooperation movement against British Government, Lal
Bahadur Shastri, was only seventeen years old. When Mahatma Gandhi gave a call to the
youth to come out of Government schools and colleges, offices and courts and to sacrifice
everything for the sake of freedom, Lal Bahadur came out of his school. Though his mother
and relatives advised him not to do so, he was firm in his decision. Lal Bahadur was arrested
during the Non-cooperation movement but as he was too young he was let off.

After his release Lal Bahadur joined Kashi Vidya Peeth and for four years he studied
philosophy. In 1926, Lal Bahadur earned the degree of "Shastri" After leaving Kashi Vidya
Peeth, Lal Bahadur Shastri joined "The Servants of the People Society", which Lala Lajpat
Rai had started in 1921. The aim of the Society was to train youths that were prepared to
dedicate their lives in the service of the country. In 1927, Lal Bahadur Shastri married Lalitha
Devi. The marriage ceremony was very simple and Shastriji took only a charkha (spinning
wheel) and few yards of Khadi in dowry.

In 1930, Gandhiji gave the call for Civil Disobedience Movement. Lal Bahadur Shastri joined
the movement and encouraged people not to pay land revenue and taxes to the government.
He was arrested and put in jail for two and a half years. In jail Shastriji became familiar with
the works of western philosophers, revolutionaries and social reformers. Lal Bahadur Shastri
had great self respect. Once when he was in prison, one of his daughters fell seriously ill. The
officers agreed to release him out for a short time but on condition that he should agree in
writing not to take part in the freedom 'movement during this period. Lal Bahadur did not
wish to participate in the freedom movement during his temporary release from prison; but he
said that he would not give it in writing. He thought that it was against his self-respect to give
it in writing.

After Second World War started in 1939, Congress launched "Individual Satyagraha" in 1940
to demand freedom. Lal Bahadur Shastri was arrested during Individual Satyagraha and
released after one year. On August 8, 1942, Gandhiji gave the call for Quit India Movement.
Lal Bahadur actively participated in the movement. He went underground but was later
arrested. Lal Bahadur Shastri was released in 1945 along with other major leaders. He earned
the praise of Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant by his hard work during the 1946 provincial
elections. Lal Bahadur's administrative ability and organization skills came to the fore during
this time. When Govind Vallabh Pant became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, he
appointed Lal Bahadur Shastri as his Parliamentary Secretary. In 1947, Lal Bahadur Shastri
became the Minister of Police and Transport in Pant's Cabinet.

Lal Bahadur Sastri was the General Secretary of the Congress Party when the first general
elections were held after India became Republic. Congress Party returned to power with a
huge majority. In 1952, Jawahar Lal Nehru appointed Lal Bahadur Shastri as the Railways
and Transport Minister in the Central Cabinet. Lal Bahadur Shastri's contribution in
providing more facilities to travelers in third class compartments cannot be forgotten. He
reduced the vast disparity between the first class and third class in the Railways. Lal Bahadur
Shastri resigned from Railways in 1956, owning moral responsibility for a railway accident.
Jawaharlal Nehru tried to persuade Shastriji but Lal Bahadur Shastri refused to budge from
his stand. By his action Lal Bahadur Shastri set new standards of morality in public life.

In the next general elections when Congress returned to power, Lal Bahadur Shastri became
the Minister for Transport and Communications and later the Minister for Commerce and
Industry. He became the Home Minister in 1961, after the death of Govind Vallabh Pant. In
the 1962 India-China war Shastriji played a key role in maintaining internal security of the
country.

After the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri was unanimously elected as
the Prime Minister of India. It was a difficult time and the country was facing huge
challenges. There was food shortage in the country and on the security front Pakistan was
creating problems. In 1965, Pakistan tried to take advantage of India's vulnerability and
attacked India. Mild-mannered Lal Bahadur Shastri rose to the occasion and led the country
ably. To enthuse soldiers and farmers he coined the slogan of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan". Pakistan
lost the war and Shastriji's leadership was praised all over the world.

In January 1966, to broker peace between India and Pakistan, Russia mediated a meeting
between Lal Bahadur Shastri and Ayub Khan in Tashkent, Russia. India and Pakistan signed
the joint declaration under Russian mediation. Under the treaty India agreed to return to
Pakistan all the territories occupied by it during the war. The joint declaration was signed on
January 10, 1966 and Lal Bahadur Shastri died of heart attack on the same night.

Mahatma Gandhi Biography

Born: October 2, 1869
Martyrdom: January 30, 1948.
Achievements: Known as Father of Nation; played a key role in winning freedom for India;
introduced the concept of Ahimsa and Satyagraha.

Mahatma Gandhi popularly known as Father of Nation played a stellar role in India's freedom
struggle. Born in a Bania family in Kathiawar, Gujarat, his real name was Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi (M.K. Gandhi). The title Mahatma came to be associated with his name
much later. Before Gandhiji's arrival on the Indian political scene, freedom struggle was
limited only to the intelligentsia. Mahatma Gandhi's main contribution lay in the fact that he
bridged the gulf between the intelligentsia
and the masses and widened the concept of
Swaraj to include almost every aspect of
social and moral regeneration. Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death, famous
scientist Albert Einstein said, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man as
this walked the earth in flesh and blood".

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar, a small town on
the western coast of India, which was then one of the many tiny states in Kathiawar. Gandhiji
was born in middle class family of Vaishya caste. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a
Dewan or Prime Minister of Porbandar. His mother, Putlibai, was a very religious lady and
left a deep impression on Gandhiji's mind. Gandhiji was a mediocre student and was
excessively shy and timid.

Gandhiji was truthful in his conduct right from the childhood. There is a very famous incident
in this regard. A British school inspector once came to Gandhiji's school and set a spelling
test. Gandhiji spelled all the words correctly except kettle. The class teacher noticed the
mistake and gestured Gandhiji to copy the correct spelling from the boy sitting next to him.
Gandhiji refused to take the hint and was later scolded for his "stupidity".

Gandhiji was married at the age of thirteen to Kasturbai. He was in high school at that time.
Later on in his life, Gandhiji denounced the custom of child marriage and termed it as cruel.
After matriculating from the high school, Gandhiji joined the Samaldas College in
Bhavnagar. After the death of Gandhiji's father in 1885, a family suggested that if Gandhiji
hoped to take his father's place in the state service he had better become a barrister which he
could do in England in three years. Gandhi welcomed the idea but his mother was objected to
the idea of going abroad. To win his mother's approval Gandhiji took a solemn vow not to
touch wine, women and meat and remained true to it throughout his stay in England.

Gandhiji sailed for England on September 4, 1888. Initially he had difficulty in adjusting to
English customs and weather but soon he overcame it. Gandhiji completed his Law degree in
1891 and returned to India. He decided to set up legal practice in Bombay but couldn't
establish himself. Gandhiji returned to Rajkot but here also he could not make much
headway. At this time Gandhiji received an offer from Dada Abdulla & Co. to proceed to
South Africa on their behalf to instruct their counsel in a lawsuit. Gandhiji jumped at the idea
and sailed for South Africa in April 1893.

It was in South Africa that Gandhiji's transformation from Mohandas to Mahatma took place.
Gandhiji landed at Durban and soon he realized the oppressive atmosphere of racial
snobbishness against Indians who were settled in South Africa in large numbers. After about
a week's stay in Durban Gandhiji left for Pretoria, the capital of the Transvaal, in connection
with a lawsuit. When the train reached Pietermaritzburg, the capital of Natal, at about 9 p.m.
a white passenger who boarded the train objected to the presence of a "coloured" man in the
compartment and Gandhiji was ordered by a railway official to shift to a third class. When he
refused to do so, a constable pushed him out and his luggage was taken away by the railway
authorities. It was winter and bitterly cold. This incident changed Gandhiji's life forever. He
decided to fight for the rights of Indians. Gandhiji organised the Indian community in South
Africa and asked them to forget all distinctions of religion and caste. He suggested the
formation of an association to look after the Indian settlers and offered his free time and
services.

During his stay in South Africa, Gandhiji's life underwent a change and he developed most of
his political ideas. Gandhiji decided to dedicate himself completely to the service of
humanity. He realized that absolute continence or brahmacharya was indispensable for the
purpose as one could not live both after the flesh and the spirit. In 1906, Gandhiji took a vow
of absolute continence. In the course of his struggle in South Africa, Gandhiji, developed the
concepts of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (holding fast to truth or firmness in a
righteous cause). Gandhiji's struggle bore fruit and in 1914 in an agreement between Gandhiji
and South African Government, the main Indian demands were conceded.

Gandhiji returned to India in 1915 and on the advice of his political guru Gopal Krishna
Gokhale, spent the first year touring throughout the country to know the real India. After an
year of wandering, Gandhiji settled down on the bank of the river Sabarmati, on the outskirts
of Ahmedabad, where he founded an ashram called Satyagraha Ashram. Gandhiji's first
satyagraha in India was in Champaran, in Bihar, where he went in 1917 at the request of a
poor peasants to inquire into the grievances of the much exploited peasants of that district,
who were compelled by British indigo planters to grow indigo on 15 percent of their land and
part with the whole crop for rent. Gandhiji's Satyagraha forced British government to set up a
inquiry into the condition of tenant farmers. The report of the committee of which Gandhi
was a member went in favour of the tenant farmers. The success of his first experiment in
satyagraha in India greatly enhanced Gandhiji's reputation in the country.

In 1921, Gandhiji gave the call for Non-cooperation movement against the ills of British rule.
Gandhiji's call roused the sleeping nation. Many Indians renounced their titles and honours,
lawyers gave up their practice, and students left colleges and schools. Non-cooperation
movement also brought women into the domain of freedom struggle for the first time. Non-
cooperation movement severely jolted the British government. But the movement ended in an
anti-climax in February 1922. An outbreak of mob violence in Chauri Chaura so shocked and
pained Gandhi that he refused to continue the campaign and undertook a fast for five days to
atone for a crime committed by others in a state of mob hysteria.

Gandhiji was sentenced to six years imprisonment but was released in 1924 on medical
grounds. For the next five years Gandhi seemingly retired from active agitational politics and
devoted himself to the propagation of what he regarded as the basic national needs, namely,
Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability, equality of women, popularization of hand-
spinning and the reconstruction of village economy.

On March 12, 1930 Gandhiji started the historic Dandi March to break the law which had
deprived the poor man of his right to make his own salt. On April 6, 1930 Gandhiji broke the
Salt law at the sea beach at Dandi. This simple act was immediately followed by a nation-
wide defiance of the law. This movement galvanized the whole nation and came to be known
as "Civil Disobedience Movement". Within a few weeks about a hundred thousand men and
women were in jail, throwing mighty machinery of the British Government out of gear. This
forced the then Viceroy Lord Irwin to call Gandhiji for talks. On March 5, 1931 Gandhi Irwin
Pact was signed. Soon after signing the pact Gandhiji went to England to attend the First
Round Table Conference. Soon after his return from England Gandhiji was arrested without
trial.

After the outbreak of Second World War in 1939, Gandhiji again became active in the
political arena. British Government wanted India's help in the war and Congress in return
wanted a clear-cut promise of independence from British government. But British
government dithered in its response and on August 8, 1942 Gandhiji gave the call for Quit
India Movement. Soon the British Government arrested Gandhiji and other top leaders of
Congress. Disorders broke out immediately all over India and many violent demonstrations
took place. While Gandhiji was in jail his wife Kasturbai passed away. Gandhiji too had a
severe attack of Malaria. In view of his deteriorating health he was released from the jail in
May 1944.

Second World War ended in 1945 and Britain emerged victorious. In the general elections
held in Britain in 1945, Labour Party came to power, and Atlee became the Prime Minister.
He promised an early realization of self Government in India. A Cabinet Mission arrived
from England to discuss with Indian leaders the future shape of a free and united India, but
failed to bring the Congress and Muslims together. India attained independence but Jinnah's
intransigence resulted in the partition of the country. Communal riots between Hindus and
Muslims broke out in the country in the aftermath of partition. Tales of atrocities on Hindus
in Pakistan provoked Hindus in India and they targeted Muslims. Gandhiji worked
ceaselessly to promote unity between Hindus and Muslims. This angered some Hindu
fundamentalists and on January 30, 1948 Gandhiji was shot dead by one such fundamentalist
Nathu Ram Godse while he was going for his evening prayers. The last words on the lips of
Gandhiji were Hey Ram.

Facts About Mahatma Gandhi

Here is a brief summary of some of the major facts associated with Mahatma Gandhi. These
facts highlight some of the major achievements of Mohandas Gandhi and provide valuable
information on Mahatama Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi Quote

Here are some famous quotes by Mahatma Gandhi. These quotes reveal his thinking and are a
guiding light and source of inspiration to others.

Mahatma Gandhi Pictures

Here is a collection of pictures of Mahatma Gandhi. These images reveal different phases and
facets of his life. These photos encompass his whole life journey from childhood to his
martyrdom.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964)

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India was born at Allahabad
on 14 November 1889. He was the only son of Motilal Nehru and Swarup Rani. From the age
of 15 to 23 Jawaharlal studied in England at Harrow, Cambridge and the Inner Temple
returning to India in 1912.

Jawaharlal Nehru remained the Prime Minister of India for 17 long years and can rightly be
called the architect of modern India. He set India on the path of democracy and nurtured its
institution - Parliament, multi-party system, independent judiciary and free press. He
encouraged Panjayati Raj institutions.

With the foresight of a statesman he created institutions like Planning Commission, National
Science Laboratories and laid the foundation of a vast public sector for developing
infrastructure for industrial growth. Besides, developing the public sector, Nehru also wanted
to encourage the private sector to establish a social order based on social justice he
emphasised the need of planned development. Nehru gave a clear direction to India’s role in
the comity of nations with the policy of non alignment and the principle of Panchsheel, the
five principles of peaceful coexistence at a time when the rivalries of cold-war were driving
the humanity to its doom. His vision was that of extensive application of science and
technology and industrialisation for better living and liberation from the clutches of poverty,
superstition and ignorance. Education to him was very important for internal freedom and
fearlessness. It was Nehru who insisted if the world was to exist at all; it must exist as one.
He was generous and gracious. Emotional sensitivity and intellectual passion infused his
writings, giving them unusual appeal and topicality even today. He was awarded Bharat
Ratna in 1955. He never forgot India's great cultural heritage and liked to combine tradition
with modernity.
Jawaharlal was a prolific writer in English and wrote a number of books like ‘The Discovery
of India’, ‘Glimpses of World History’, his autobiography, ‘towards Freedom' (1936) ran
nine editions in the first year alone. Emotional sensitivity and intellectual passion infused his
writings, giving them unusual appeal & topicality even today. He was awarded Bharat Ratna
in 1955.

Pandit Nehru loved children and they call him affectionately as Chacha Nehru. Hie birthday
is observed as Children's Day. He believed that children are the future of the nation. Nehru
passed away in 1964.

 Rabindranath Tagore Biography

Born: May 7, 1861
Died: August 7, 1941
Achievements: Rabindranath Tagore became the first Asian to became Nobel laureate when
he won Nobel Prize for his collection of poems, Gitanjali, in 1913; awarded knighthood by
the British King George V; established Viswabharati University; two songs from his
Rabindrasangit canon are now the national anthems of India and Bangladesh

Rabindranath Tagore was an icon of Indian culture. He was a poet, philosopher, musician,
writer, and educationist. Rabindranath Tagore became the first Asian to became Nobel
laureate when he won Nobel Prize for his collection of poems, Gitanjali, in 1913. He was
popularly called as Gurudev and his songs were popularly known as Rabindrasangeet. Two
songs from his Rabindrasangit canon are now the national anthems of India and Bangladesh:
the Jana Gana Mana and the Amar Shonar Bangla.

Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861 in a wealthy Brahmin family in Calcutta. He
was the ninth son of Debendranath and Sarada Devi. His grandfather Dwarkanath Tagore was
a rich landlord and social reformer. Rabindra Nath Tagore had his initial education in
Oriental Seminary School. But he did not like the conventional education and started
studying at home under several teachers.
After undergoing his upanayan (coming-of-
age) rite at the age of eleven, Tagore and his father left Calcutta in 1873 to tour India for
several months, visiting his father's Santiniketan estate and Amritsar before reaching the
Himalayan hill station of Dalhousie. There, Tagore read biographies, studied history,
astronomy, modern science, and Sanskrit, and examined the classical poetry of Kalidasa.

In 1874, Tagore's poem Abhilaash (Desire) was published anonymously in a magazine called
Tattobodhini. Tagore's mother Sarada Devi expired in 1875. Rabindranath's first book of
poems, Kabi Kahini ( tale of a poet ) was published in 1878. In the same year Tagore sailed
to England with his elder brother Satyandranath to study law. But he returned to India in
1880 and started his career as poet and writer. In 1883, Rabindranath Tagore married
Mrinalini Devi Raichaudhuri, with whom he had two sons and three daughters.

In 1884, Tagore wrote a collection of poems Kori-o-Kamal (Sharp and Flats). He also wrote
dramas - Raja-o-Rani ( King and Queen) and Visarjan (Sacrifice). In 1890, Rabindranath
Tagore moved to Shilaidaha (now in Bangladesh) to look after the family estate. Between
1893 and 1900 Tagore wrote seven volumes of poetry, which included Sonar Tari (The
Golden Boat) and Khanika. In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore became the editor of the magazine
Bangadarshan. He Established Bolpur Bramhacharyaashram at Shantiniketan, a school based
on the pattern of old Indian Ashrama. In 1902, his wife Mrinalini died. Tagore composed
Smaran ( In Memoriam ), a collection of poems, dedicated to his wife.

In 1905, Lord Curzon decided to divide Bengal into two parts. Rabindranath Tagore strongly
protested against this decision. Tagore wrote a number of national songs and attended protest
meetings. He introduced the Rakhibandhan ceremony , symbolizing the underlying unity of
undivided Bengal.

In 1909, Rabindranath Tagore started writing Gitanjali. In 1912, Tagore went to Europe for
the second time. On the journey to London he translated some of his poems/songs from
Gitanjali to English. He met William Rothenstein, a noted British painter, in London.
Rothenstien was impressed by the poems, made copies and gave to Yeats and other English
poets. Yeats was enthralled. He later wrote the introduction to Gitanjali when it was
published in September 1912 in a limited edition by the India Society in London.
Rabindranath Tagore was awarded Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 for Gitanjali. In 1915
he was knighted by the British King George V.

In 1919, following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Tagore renounced his knighthood. He was
a supporter of Gandhiji but he stayed out of politics. He was opposed to nationalism and
militarism as a matter of principle, and instead promoted spiritual values and the creation of a
new world culture founded in multi-culturalism, diversity and tolerance. Unable to gain
ideological support to his views, he retired into relative solitude. Between the years 1916 and
1934 he traveled widely.

1n 1921, Rabindranath Tagore established Viswabharati University. He gave all his money
from Nobel Prize and royalty money from his books to this University. Tagore was not only a
creative genius, he was quite knowledgeable of Western culture, especially Western poetry
and science too. Tagore had a good grasp of modern - post-Newtonian - physics, and was
well able to hold his own in a debate with Einstein in 1930 on the newly emerging principles
of quantum mechanics and chaos. His meetings and tape recorded conversations with his
contemporaries such Albert Einstein and H.G. Wells, epitomize his brilliance.

In 1940 Oxford University arranged a special ceremony in Santiniketan and awarded

Rabindranath Tagore with Doctorate Of Literature. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore passed
away on August 7, 1941 in his ancestral home in Calcutta.

Swami Vivekananda Biography

Born: January 12, 1863
Died: July 4, 1902
Achievements: Played a major role in spiritual enlightenment of Indian masses; Spread Vedanta philosophy in
the West; established Ramakrishna Mission for the service of the poor.

Swami Vivekananda was one of the most influential

spiritual leaders of Vedanta philosophy. He was the
chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and was
the founder of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Vivekananda was the living embodiment of
sacrifice and dedicated his life to the country and yearned for the progress of the poor, the helpless and the
downtrodden. He showed a beacon of light to a nation that had lost faith in its ability under British rule and
inspired self-confidence among Indians that they are second to none. His ringing words and masterful oratory
galvanized the slumbering nation.

Swami Vivekananda real name was Narendranath Dutta. He was born on January12, 1863 in Calcutta. His
father's name was Vishwanath Dutta and his mother's name Bhuvaneswari Devi. Narendranath acquired the
name of Swami Vivekananda when he became a monk.

As a child Narendra was very lively and naughty. He was good in studies as well as in games. He studied
instrumental and vocal music and also practiced meditation from a very early age. Even when Narendra was
young he questioned the validity of superstitious customs and discrimination based on caste and religion. As a
child Narendra had great respect for sanyasis (ascetics). He would give away anything to anybody if asked for.
Whenever a beggar asked for alms, he would give him anything he had. Thus from childhood Narendra had the
spirit of sacrifice and renunciation.

In 1879, Narendra passed matriculation and entered Presidency College, Calcutta. After one year, he joined the
Scottish Church College, Calcutta and studied philosophy. He studied western logic, western philosophy and
history of European nations. As he advanced in his studies, his thinking faculty developed. Doubts regarding
existence of God started to arise in Narendra's mind. This made him associate with the Brahmo Samaj, an
important religious movement of the time, led by Keshab Chandra Sen. But the Samaj's congregational prayers
and devotional songs could not satisfy Narendra's zeal to realise God.

During this time Narendra came to know of Sri Ramakrishna Pramahans of Dakshineswar. Sri Ramakrishna was
a priest in the temple of Goddess Kali. He was not a scholar. But he was a great devotee. It was being said of
him that he had realized God. Once, Narendra went to Dakshineswar to with his friends see him. He asked
Ramakrishna, whether he had seen God. The instantaneous answer from Ramakrishna was, "Yes, I have seen
God, just as I see you here, only in a more clear sense." Narendra was astounded and puzzled. He could feel the
man's words were honest and uttered from depths of experience. He started visiting Ramakrishna frequently.

It was in Narendra's nature to test something thoroughly before he could accept it. He would not accept
Ramakrishna as his guru without a test. Ramakrishna used to say that, in order to realize God, one should give
up the desire for money and women. One day Narendra hid a rupee under his pillow. Sri Ramakrishna, who had
gone out, came into the room and stretched himself on the cot. At once he jumped up as if bitten by a scorpion.
When he shook the mattress, the rupee coin fell down. Later he came to know that it was the doing of Narendra.
Narendra accepted Sri Ramakrishna as his guru and took training under him for five years in the Advaita
Vedanta, the philosophy of non-dualism. Sri Ramakrishna passed away in 1886 and nominated Narendra as his
successor. After his death Narendra and a core group of Ramakrishna's disciples took vows to become monks
and renounce everything, and started living in a supposedly haunted house in Baranagore.

In 1890, Narendra set out on a long journey. He covered the length and breadth of the country. He visited
Varanasi, Ayodhya, Agra, Vrindavan, Alwar etc. Narendra acquired the name of Swami Vivekananda during the
journey. It is said that he was given the name Vivekananda by Maharaja of Khetri for his discrimination of things,
good and bad. During his journey, Vivekananda stayed at king's palaces, as well as at the huts of the poor. He
came in close contact with the cultures of different regions of India and various classes of people in India.
Vivekananda observed the imbalance in society and tyranny in the name of caste. He realised the need for a
national rejuvenation if India was to survive at all.

Swami Vivekananda reached Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent on December24,
1892. He swam across the sea and started meditating on a lone rock. He meditated for three days and said later
that he meditated about the past, present and future of India. The rock is presently popular as Vivekananda
memorial and is a major tourist destination.

In 1893, Swami Vivekananda went to America to attend the Conference of World Religions in Chicago. He
earned wild applause for beginning his address with the famous words, "Sisters and brothers of America."
Swamiji mesmerized everyone in America with his masterful oratory. Wherever he went, he dwelt at length on the
greatness of Indian Culture. He spoke with spontaneous ease on every topic, be it History, Sociology, Philosophy
or Literature. He deplored the malicious propaganda that had been unleashed by the Christian missionaries in
India. Swami Vivekananda also went to England. Many people became his disciples. Most famous among them
was Margaret Nivedita'. She came to India and settled here.
Swami Vivekananda returned to India in 1897 after four years of touring in the West. He started disseminating
the message of spiritual development among Indians. He realized that social service was possible only through
the concerted efforts on an organized mission. To achieve this objective, Swami Vivekananda started Sri
Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 and formulated its ideology and goal. During the next two years he bought a site at
Belur on the banks of the Ganga, constructed the buildings and established the Ramakrishna Mutt. He once
again toured the West from January 1899 to December 1900.

Swami Vivekananda died on July4, 1902 at Belur Mutt near Calcutta.