B. D. Sharma Explained

Bhagwat Dayal Sharma
Order:7th
Office:Governor of Madhya Pradesh
Term Start:8 October 1983
Term End:14 May 1984
1Blankname:Chief Minister
1Namedata:Arjun Singh
Successor:K. M. Chandy
Term Start1:10 July 1981
Term End1:20 September 1983
1Blankname1:Chief Minister
1Namedata1:Arjun Singh
Predecessor1:G. P. Singh
Successor1:G. P. Singh
Term Start2:30 April 1980
Term End2:25 May 1981
1Blankname2:Chief Minister
1Namedata2:Arjun Singh
Predecessor2:C. M. Poonacha
Successor2:G. P. Singh
Order3:12th
Office3:Governor of Odisha
Term Start3:23 September 1977
Term End3:30 April 1980
1Blankname3:Chief Minister
1Namedata3:Nilamani Routray
Predecessor3:Harcharan Singh Brar
Successor3:C. M. Poonacha
Order4:1st
Office4:Chief Minister of Haryana
Term Start4:1 November 1966
Term End4:23 March 1967
Predecessor4:Office Established
Successor4:Rao Birender Singh
Birth Date:26 January 1918
Birth Place:Beri, Punjab, British India
Death Date:22 February 1993
(aged 75)
Death Place:New Delhi, India
Party:Indian National Congress
Spouse:Savitri Devi
Children:6

Bhagwat Dayal Sharma (26 January 1918 – 22 February 1993), popularly known as Panditji, was the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of Haryana and later Governor of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh from 30 April 1980 to 14 May 1984. He is one of the greatest leaders of Haryana and his legacy is celebrated even today.[1]

Personal life

He was born in Beri, a town in the Jhajjar district of Haryana on 26January 1918. Bansi Lal, Bhajan Lal and many other noted politicians learned politics under his guidance.

He married Savitri Devi and they had six children; three sons and three daughters. He did his schooling from Birla College (Now Birla School, Pilani), Pilani and his higher studies from Banaras Hindu University, Banaras. His eldest son Sh. Rajesh Sharma became Sports Minister of Haryana and Deputy Chairman of the State's Planning Board. After his wife Savitri's death, Panditji built "Savitri Nikunj", in her memory, an exotic garden with indigenous and rare plants and trees at Raj Bhawan in Bhopal.

Independence movement and political career

Sharma became Chief Minister of Haryana on 1November 1966 then resigned to be replaced by Rao Birender Singh on 24March 1967.[2]

Appointed Governor of Odisha in 1977, during his time in the state, he became patron of many social and cultural institutions. To develop tourism in Odisha, he suggested that the summer Raj Bhavan at Puri should be converted to a high class hotel for international tourists with facilities for golf, swimming and tennis as well as a large hall for holding conferences. The Indian Tourist Development Corporation (ITDC) was subsequently asked to take up the venture. Sharma was also actively involved in the administrative committee of the Hindu Jagannath temple in Puri.He decided to side with the syndicate after the expulsion of Indira Gandhi from the Congress.He subsequently transferred to Madhya Pradesh since the Odisha climate did not suit his health.

During his career, Panditji travelled to Switzerland, the UK, the USSR, Germany, USA, and a number of other European countries.

Death

He 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 cremation 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.

Honors

Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak named after him incorporates Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly), Madhya Pradesh, India . 22 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090619071019/http://mpvidhansabha.nic.in/guv-BDSharma.htm . 19 June 2009 . dead.
  2. Book: S.K.. Khanna. Contemporary Indian Politics. 1999. Discovery Publishing House. 978-81-7141-445-1. 112–3.