Inder Kumar Gujral (English: Inder Kumar Gujral, born: 4 December, 1919; died: 30 November, 2012) was the twelfth Prime Minister of India. He became Prime Minister at a time when the United Front government, fearing Congress’ withdrawal of support, accepted its demand for change of leadership. Then HD Deve Gowda had to leave the post of Prime Minister after 10 months. He resigned from his post on April 21, 1997 and on the same day Inder Kumar Gujral was appointed to the post of Prime Minister. But even this could not hold the post of Prime Minister for long. He too had to step down on March 19, 1998, after Congress withdrew its support. Thus Inder Kumar Gujral remained the Prime Minister of India for almost a year.
Inder Kumar was born on December 4, 1919 in Jhelum, which was then an undivided part of Punjab province. His father’s name was Avtar Narayan Gujral and mother’s name was Mrs. Pushpa Gujral. Inder Kumar Gujral’s marriage took place with Sheela Devi on 26 May 1946. His father Avtar Narayan Gujral took part in India’s freedom struggle. Shri Inder Kumar Gujral himself started participating in the freedom struggle at the age of 12. In 1931, he was arrested by the British police. The police beat him badly for instigating young children against the government. All this happened in Jhelum itself. Then in 1942, during the Quit India Movement, he had to go to jail at the age of 23. Gujral did B. Com., M.A., Ph.D. and D.Litt. Have obtained degrees. He speaks Urdu fluently and has also contributed to Urdu poetry. His brother Satish Gujral is a famous painter and craftsman. His wife Sheela Devi is a poet and writer. They have two sons Naresh and Vishal. He has two granddaughters Diksha and Divya and one grandson Anidhya Gujral.
political life
Before reaching the post of Prime Minister, Shri Gujral also got the opportunity to handle various ministries as Minister of State at the Centre. He also handled the work of Ministry of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Roads and Buildings and Ministry of Planning and External Affairs. Later he provided his services to Indira Gandhi as a diplomat. Inder Kumar Gujral remained associated with the Congress Party for a long time. He also received respect in Congress according to his ability. But as soon as Mrs. Indira Gandhi was alive, she had to become a victim of Congress Party’s neglect. But when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 and Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister, the circumstances became unfavorable for them. Rajiv Gandhi was more inclined towards the youth. When Shri Gujral felt that there was no place left for him in the Congress Party, he left the Congress Party and joined the Janata Dal.
on the post of Prime Minister
Inder Kumar Gujral had a strong fortune after joining Janata Dal which was nourished by socialist ideology. He looked after the charge of the Ministry of External Affairs in the cabinet of HD Deve Gowda. When the Congress party made it clear that it would not continue to support the United Front while Deve Gowda was Prime Minister, the name of Inder Kumar Gujral was agreed upon and he became the Prime Minister. Deve Gowda did not have a charismatic personality nor did he have enough experience. But Inder Kumar Gujral, apart from administrative work, also had prior experience of governance. He was also an expert in the art of communicating ideas. Apart from this, his first home in politics was Congress, where he also proved himself. In comparison to Deve Gowda who had a tired aura, Gujral’s personality must be said to be attractive.
various achievements
Political critics were of the opinion that Inder Kumar Gujral is a capable, capable and experienced politician. The then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi also used to hold diplomatic discussions with him. He has also been the Ambassador of India to Moscow. His image in Congress was that of a capable and honest person. But as soon as he became Prime Minister, politicians started saying that Gujral too would not remain on the post of Prime Minister for long, because Congress would not want to field for long. Inder Kumar Gujral held the post of Prime Minister of India from 21 April 1997 to 19 March 1998, as Congress replaced N. D.A. had withdrawn its support. But Gujral remained more active as Prime Minister. Following are some of the characteristics of his Prime Ministership:
There was tension in relations with neighboring country Pakistan for a long time. Gujral was an expert in foreign policy, hence he made diplomatic efforts to improve relations with Pakistan.
There was a financial crisis during Gujral’s tenure. The economic growth rate was headed towards decline. He made positive plans for economic development. But the famine in the country worsened the mathematics of the economy. Then he did not remain Prime Minister for long. But apart from being effective, their efforts were also honest.
Due to the instability of the central government, bureaucratic corruption had reached its peak. Officials had become autocratic and government work was being badly affected. Gujral worked to curb bureaucracy administratively.
demise
Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral died on 30 November 2012 at the age of 92. Gujral, who was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, died due to lung infection.