India's Fourth President

NAME: Varahagiri Venkata Giri




BORN: August 10, 1894

DIED: June 23, 1980


PRESIDENCY: May 3, 1969 to July 20, 1969 and August 24, 1969 to August 24, 1974



A prolific writer and a good orator, India 's fourth President was born in Berhampur in the Ganjam district of Orissa (then a part of the Madras Presidency). A Telegu by birth, he went to the University of Dublin, Ireland, for higher studies. He soon got absorbed into the freedom struggle in Ireland. Back home, he took active interest in the labour movement and was responsible for forming the All India Trade Union Congress. While taking active participation in the freedom movement, Giri joined the Indian National Congress and mobilised the trade unions in support of the freedom struggle. He was elected to the Parliament in 1952. Thereafter, Giri served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Mysore from 1957 to 1967. He became the Vice-President in 1967. Giri had to officiate as President as the then incumbent Dr. Zakir Hussain passed away while in office. He was finally elected the President in 1969. Giri received the Bharat Ratna in 1975.