Shri B. D. Sharma
Encyclopedia
Bhagwat Dayal Sharma popularly known as Panditji, was the first Chief Minister of Haryana
of Independent India. He was Governor of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh
from 30 April 1980 to 14 May 1984.
He was born at Beri
(a sub-division in Haryana
) on 26 January 1918. Bansi Lal
, Bhajan Lal
and many other noted politicians learned politics
under his guidance.
and Deputy Chairman of Planning Board of Haryana
. After his wife Savitri's death, Panditji built, in her memory, "Savitri Nikunj", an exotic garden, with indigenous and rare plants and trees, at Raj Bhawan of Bhopal.
took place at Beri
(the village, he was born at), Jhajjar
, Haryana. A tomb place has been built at the site of his cremation in Beri
.
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
of Independent India. He was Governor of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
from 30 April 1980 to 14 May 1984.
He was born at Beri
Beri
Beri is a town and a municipal committee in Jhajjar district in the state of Haryana in northern India. Beri is located 65 km northwest of Delhi and is a trading center. The first Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, was from Beri....
(a sub-division in Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
) on 26 January 1918. Bansi Lal
Bansi Lal
Chaudhary Bansi Lal was an Indian freedom fighter, senior Congress leader, former Chief Minister of Haryana and considered by many to be the architect of modern Haryana. He was born in a Jat family of Golagarh village in Bhiwani district of Haryana. He served three separate terms as Chief...
, Bhajan Lal
Bhajan Lal
Bhajan Lal was a politician and two-time chief minister from the northern Indian state of Haryana.-Early life:...
and many other noted politicians learned politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
under his guidance.
Personal life
Sharma married Savitri Devi and they had six children; three sons and three daughters. His eldest son Rajesh Sharma remained Sports Minister of HaryanaHaryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
and Deputy Chairman of Planning Board of Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
. After his wife Savitri's death, Panditji built, in her memory, "Savitri Nikunj", an exotic garden, with indigenous and rare plants and trees, at Raj Bhawan of Bhopal.
Independence movement and political career
- Participated in the freedom struggle from 1941-46
- Awarded jail for 1 year in 1941
- Awarded jail for 3.5 years in 1942
- Member of Indian labourers delegation to ILO (Geneva) in 1957 and 1958
- All-India Trade Union Congress (Punjab HP, J & K) Secretary and President in 1959-61
- Member of Punjab Legislative Assembly and Minister of State for Labour and Cooperatives from 1962-66
- Chief Minister of Haryana in 1966-67
- Rajya Sabha member from 1968-74
- Appointed Orissa Governor in 1977
- Patron of many social and cultural institutions of Orissa
- Actively involved in administrative committee of Jagannath temple
- Transferred to Madhya Pradesh since Orissa climate didn't suit his health.
- For development of tourism in Orissa, he had suggested to the Government of Orissa for conversion of Puri Raj Bhavan to a Posh Hotel for international tourists with facilities for Golf, Swimming Pool, Tennis Court and big hall for holding conferences. Indian Tourist Development Corporation (ITDC) was then pursued to take up the venture.
- Traveled to Switzerland, U.K., USSR, Germany, USA, and some other European countries
Death
Sharma died on 22 February 1993 because of gradual declining health and old age. Huge numbers of people from all over world attended his funeral. His cremationCremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
took place at Beri
Beri
Beri is a town and a municipal committee in Jhajjar district in the state of Haryana in northern India. Beri is located 65 km northwest of Delhi and is a trading center. The first Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, was from Beri....
(the village, he was born at), Jhajjar
Jhajjar
Jhajjar is a town in Jhajjar district in the Indian state of Haryana.-Geography:Jhajjar is located at . It has an average elevation of 220 metres .-Demographics:...
, Haryana. A tomb place has been built at the site of his cremation in Beri
Beri
Beri is a town and a municipal committee in Jhajjar district in the state of Haryana in northern India. Beri is located 65 km northwest of Delhi and is a trading center. The first Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, was from Beri....
.