R Venkataraman

R Venkataraman (1910 – 2009), full name Ramaswamy Venkataraman, was the president of India. He was born in the village of Rajamadam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. He obtained his Master Degree in Economics from Madras University, and later qualified in Law from the Law College, Madras. He was enrolled as advocate in the High Court, Madras in 1935 and in the Supreme Court in 1951.

While practicing Law, he was drawn into the movement for India's freedom from Britain's colonial subjugation. His active participation in the 'Quit India Movement of 1942', resulted in his detention for two years under the British Government's Defence of India Rules.

In 1946, when the Transfer of Power from British to Indian hands was imminent, the Government of India included him in the panel of lawyers sent to Malaya and Singapore to defend Indian nationals charged with offences of collaboration during the Japanese occupation of those two places.

He also participated in trade union movements. Law and trade union activity led to his increasing association with politics. He was elected in 1950, to free India's Provisional Parliament (1950-1952) and to the First Parliament (1952-1957). Although re-elected to Parliament in 1957, he resigned his seat in the Lok Sabha to join the State Government of Madras as a Minister.

He was appointed a Member of the Union Planning Commission in 1967 and held that office until 1971. In 1977, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Madras (South) Constituency and served as an Opposition Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. In 1980, he was re-elected to the Lok Sabha and was appointed Union Minister of Finance in the Government headed by Smt Indira Gandhi. He was later appointed Union Minister of Defence. He was also, variously, member of the Political Affairs Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee of the Union Cabinet; Governor, International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank.

The title of "Sat Seva Ratna" was conferred on him by His Holiness the Sankaracharya of Kancheepuram.

He was elected Vice-President of India in August, 1984, and on July 25, 1987, the Eighth President of India, and served for a full term until 1992.

Nearby pages
Raab, Raasay, Raba, Rabant de St Etienne, Rabat, Rabbi