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| R.Venkataraman |
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| Early Life and Education |
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Born on December 4, 1910 in the village of Rajamadam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu |
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Master's degree in Economics from Madras University with Banking & Currency and Public Finance as special subjects |
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Qualified in Law from the Law College, Madras |
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Enrolled in the High Court, Madras in 1935 and in the Supreme Court in 1951 |
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Active participation in the 'Quit India Movement of 1942’ resulting in his detention for two years under the British Government's Defence of India Rules. |
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In 1946 he was a member of the panel of lawyers sent by the Government of India to Malaya and Singapore to defend Indian nationals |
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From 1947-1950 served as Secretary of the Madras Provincial Bar Federation and a member of the Executive Committee of Madras Advocates' Association |
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Started Labour Law Journal in 1949, a pioneering endeavour |
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| Public Life |
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Elected to the Provisional Parliament of India in 1950 |
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Within two years chosen as a Member of the Indian Delegation to the Common Wealth Parliamentary Conference in New Zealand |
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Elected to the first Lok Sabha from Thanjavur Constituency 1952 |
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Functioned as an effective Private Member (1952- 1957) |
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Re-elected to Parliament in 1957 but invited by Shri Kamaraj to join the State Government of Madras |
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Held the portfolios of Industries, Labour, Cooperation, Power, Transport and Commercial Taxes from 1957-1967 |
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Contribution during his tenure to industrialization of Tamil Nadu is universally acknowledged |
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Leader of the Upper House, namely the Madras Legislative Council for 10 years from 1957-1967 |
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Member of the Union Planning Commission from 1967-1971 |
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From 1980-1987 appointed as Finance Minister, later Defence Minister and then elected as
Vice- President of India |
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Elected to the Office of the President of India in July 1987 |
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| Association with the United Nations (UN) |
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Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961 |
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Leader of Indian Delegation to 42nd Session of the International Labour Conference at Geneva (1958) |
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Member, United Nations Administrative Tribunal from 1955-1979 and was its President from 1968- 1979 |
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Elected Honorary President of the United Nations Tribunal for life |
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| Publications and Patron |
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Travelogue on "Kamaraj's tour of Socialist Countries”, which won 'Soviet Land Prize' in 1967 |
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Published "My Presidential Years" |
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Chairman of the Governing Body of the Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai and Gandhigram Trust |
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Patron of HelpAge India and Global Cancer Concern |
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Served as President of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |
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| RV with wife Smt Janaki Venkataraman |
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In a public life spanning well over sixty years, Shri R Venkataraman performed all his duties with distinction, unblemished by private interest. He passed away on 27th January 2009 in New Delhi. |
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| For a more detailed profile click the links below |
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