V. V. Giri
Who was V. V. Giri?
Fourth President of India from 1969-1974 and prominent trade union leader who championed workers' rights. He was the first President to be elected as an independent candidate.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on V. V. Giri (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (1894-1980) was an Indian leader who played many roles, including being the fourth President of India from 1969 to 1974. Born in Brahmapur to a Telugu Brahmin family, Giri's career spanned decades, involving work in the independence movement, labor organization, and diplomatic missions. He was the first independent candidate to win the presidency, marking an important moment in Indian democracy.
Giri laid his educational foundation at Khallikote College, where he showed early leadership by being elected to the student union and actively participating in the freedom movement. In 1913, he went to Ireland to study law at University College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King's Inns. Although called to the Irish Bar in June 1916, he didn't complete his BA at UCD. After returning to India in 1916, he enrolled at Madras High Court but left his law career in 1920 as part of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Giri's career path was significantly influenced by his dedication to labor rights and trade unions. He became deeply involved with the Indian labor movement and was elected president of the All India Trade Union Congress in 1926. His political activism led to multiple imprisonments, including being arrested in 1922 for protests and during the Quit India Movement from 1942 to 1945, spending three years in jail. These experiences strengthened his commitment to Indian independence and workers' rights.
After independence, Giri took on diplomatic and government roles. He was India's first High Commissioner to Ceylon from 1947 to 1951, setting important precedents for India's foreign relations. He was elected to the first Lok Sabha from Pathapatnam constituency in 1951 and served as Union Minister of Labour from 1952 to 1954. His rise through government positions led to his role as Vice President of India from 1967 to 1969, before being elected President. Throughout his career, Giri focused on labor issues and social justice in all his duties.
Giri gained recognition beyond India, receiving awards like the anniversary medal for the 2500th anniversary of the Iranian Empire's founding and an honorary doctorate from Comenius University in 1973. His contributions to Indian public life were formally acknowledged with the Bharat Ratna in 1975, India's highest civilian award. He passed away in Chennai in 1980, leaving a legacy of service that connected the independence movement with the early years of democratic India.
Before Fame
Born into a Telugu Brahmin family in Brahmapur in 1894, Giri's early life took place during the height of British colonial rule and a rise in nationalist feelings in India. During his formative years, he became increasingly politically aware, which led to his election to the student union at Khallikote College and early involvement in the freedom movement. His choice to study law in Ireland showed both his personal ambition and the lack of higher education opportunities in colonial India.
Giri's rise to prominence started with his law studies at University College Dublin, where he was influenced by the Irish independence movements, shaping his later political views. He returned to India in 1916 as nationalist activities were gaining momentum, and in 1920, he decided to leave a promising legal career to join the Non-Cooperation Movement. This decision showed his dedication to the independence cause and set the stage for his role as an important political figure.
Key Achievements
- Served as fourth President of India (1969-1974) as first independent candidate elected to the office
- Elected president of the All India Trade Union Congress in 1926
- Served as India's first High Commissioner to Ceylon (1947-1951)
- Served as Union Minister of Labour (1952-1954) and Vice President of India (1967-1969)
- Awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1975
Did You Know?
- 01.He was called to the Irish Bar in June 1916 but never completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at University College Dublin
- 02.Spent a total of over four years in British prisons for his participation in independence movements
- 03.Served as India's first High Commissioner to Ceylon, establishing diplomatic precedents for the newly independent nation
- 04.Was the first President of India to be elected as an independent candidate rather than as a party nominee
- 05.Received an honorary doctorate from Comenius University in Czechoslovakia in 1973, reflecting his international recognition
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bharat Ratna | 1975 | — |
| anniversary medal at the occasion of the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Iranian Empire | — | — |
| honorary doctor of Comenius University | 1973 | — |