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Morarji Desai
Morarji Ranchhodji Desai was born on February 29, 1896 at Bhadeli, a little village near Bulsar in Gujarat to Ranchhodji Desai and Vajiaben. His father was teacher in the Bhavenagar State in Saurashtra.
Beginning his education in a humble manner at the village school, he went on after matriculation to graduate from Wilson College, Bombay, in 1912. A religious and stringent background inculcated in him the habits of self-discipline and thrift. It is not surprising therefore that he grew up to become a practising Gandhian and as the fourth Prime Minister of India,It was in character with him to say that, 'I seek neither popularity nor unpopularity. I am all for discipline'. While studying for the Intermediate examination, he had the opportunity to study five volumes of the Physical Culture Encyclopaedia of Bernard Mcfadden which developed in him a lasting faith in nature cure. After graduation he appeared for the Indian Civil Service Examination, seeking appointment as a Deputy Collector in the Bombay Presidency in 1918. He remained in Government Service till his resignation during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Long before he actually resigned, he fled he had made a mistake in serving a foreign Government all these years.He was imprisoned thrice after 1940 for participation in the freedom movement. This only served to make him devoted and resolute.
He was elected a Member of the Bombay Provincial Congress Committee and became its Secretary From 1931-37. In 1937 he was elected Bombay legislative Assembly and was Minister Forest in the first Congress Government and later served as the Revenue and Home Minister of Bombay. In 1952, after the first general elections, he became the chief Minster of Bombay, contenting in that capacity till the reorganisation of States in 1956. He was instrumental in introducing far-reaching reforms in land revenue, administration and also in police and jail administration. In 1956, he joined the Union Cabinet as Minister of Commerce and Industry, subsequently dealing with the portfolio of Finance an deluding delegations to various countries abroad in connection with the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Morarji Desai was the second Prime Minister of India to rise from very humble origins, the first being Shir lal Bahadur Shastri. His brief period of Prime Ministership pended on July 28, 1978 when he stepped down. He is often known as one of the important followers of the Gandhian way of life.Integration of the Philosophy of the Bhagwad Gita with political thinking was the hallmark of Morarji Desai. He was no blind follower. He adopted what were important in the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, laying emphasis only on the purest means for the achievement of any objective. His lifestyle was spartan. He did not believe in rituals nor id he subscribe to idla worship. He did not observe the castr system. He was firm believer in the Swadeshi and national Education and was closely associated with Gujrat Vidyapeethat Ahmedabad, with Lok Bharathi, a rural University in Gujarat and also with several cultural, academic and social organizations. What made him stamp apart was the fact that even those who disagree with him never doubted his sincerity. His long and outstanding service to nation earned for him the highest civilian award of India, the 'Bharat Ratna'. He died on April 10, 1995 a little short of his 100th birthday.
The Department of Post honour his memory with the issue sofa commemorative postage stamp.
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