Biography of Shri Morarji Desai

Shri Morarji Desai, a stalwart of Indian politics, was a man of unwavering principles and a staunch advocate of truth and hard work. His life journey from a small village in Gujarat to becoming the Prime Minister of India is a testament to his dedication to public service and his commitment to democratic values. Below is a detailed biography presented in a dynamic and structured format.

Early Life and Education

Aspect	Details
Birth	February 29, 1896
Birthplace	Bhadeli village, Bulsar district, Gujarat
Father	School teacher and strict disciplinarian
Early Education	St. Busar High School
Higher Education	Graduated from Wilson Civil Service, Bombay Province (1918)
Key Influences	Father’s emphasis on hard work, truthfulness, and discipline

Career in Civil Services

Aspect	Details
Role	Deputy Collector
Duration	12 years (1918–1930)
Reason for Resignation	Lost confidence in British justice; joined India’s freedom struggle

Role in India’s Freedom Struggle

Aspect	Details
Political Affiliation	Indian National Congress
Key Contributions	Active participation in Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement
Imprisonment	Thrice jailed by British authorities
Leadership Roles	Member of All India Congress Committee (1931), Secretary of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (till 1937)

Political Career in Independent India

Aspect	Details
First Ministerial Role	Minister for Revenue, Agriculture, Forest, and Co-operatives (Bombay Province, 1937)
Land Reforms	Introduced progressive land reforms, including “land to the tiller” policy
Police Reforms	Made police administration more people-centric
Chief Minister	Served as Chief Minister of Bombay (1952)

Union Cabinet Minister

Aspect	Details
Commerce and Industry	Minister (1956)
Finance Minister	Took charge (1958)
Key Achievements	Promoted austerity, reduced wasteful expenditure, enforced financial discipline

Resignation and Return to Politics

Aspect	Details
Kamraj Plan	Resigned from Union Cabinet (1963)
Administrative Reforms	Chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission
Deputy Prime Minister	Joined Indira Gandhi’s cabinet (1967)
Resignation	Resigned as Deputy PM after Finance portfolio was taken away (1969)

Emergency and Political Comeback

Aspect	Details
Emergency (1975)	Arrested and detained during Emergency
Release	Released in January 1977
Election Campaign	Played a pivotal role in Janata Party’s victory (1977)
Prime Minister	Sworn in as PM on March 24, 1977

Personal Life and Legacy

Aspect	Details
Marriage	Married Gujraben in 1911
Children	Five children (one daughter and one son survived)
Philosophy	“No one, not even the Prime Minister, should be above the law of the land”
Legacy	Known for integrity, simplicity, and commitment to truth

Key Achievements and Contributions

Land Reforms: Introduced policies to ensure land ownership for tillers, transforming rural economies.
Police Reforms: Bridged the gap between police and citizens, making law enforcement more humane.
Fiscal Discipline: As Finance Minister, he promoted austerity and reduced wasteful expenditure.
Anti-Corruption Stance: Advocated for transparency and accountability in governance.
Emergency Opposition: Played a crucial role in restoring democracy post-Emergency.

Quotes by Shri Morarji Desai

“One should act in life according to truth and one’s faith.”
“No one, not even the Prime Minister, should be above the law of the land.”
“When it is a question of the independence of the country, problems relating to family occupy a subordinate position.”

Shri Morarji Desai’s life remains an inspiration for generations, embodying the values of truth, integrity, and selfless service to the nation. His contributions to India’s freedom struggle and post-independence governance continue to be celebrated as a cornerstone of Indian democracy