Page 12 - NIS English 01-15 July,2025

PERSONALITY | Chandra Shekhar

YOUNG TURK

OF POLITICS

There is a popular proverb in Uttar Pradesh’s eastern
region. People here are thought to have a lot of iron
in their blood. Chandra Shekhar was born on this land
of Ballia. A leader who rose from student politics to
become the prime minister of the nation. Due to his
strong determination, courage and bravery, he was
compared to the young Turk of politics, who never
bowed down to anyone. Chandra Shekhar often used to
say, ‘Imprison me or silence me, but you will never be
able to shackle my questions.’ Despite his short tenure
as Prime Minister, the country will always remember
his thoughts and efforts towards nation building…

handra Shekhar was born on 17 April 1927
into a farming family in Ibrahimpatti village
Cof Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh. He was
attracted to politics from an early age. He became
known for his revolutionary zeal and fiery speech-
es. This made him a progressive and a ‘Young Turk’
leader of his time who fought against vested in-
terests with determination, courage and honesty.
Chandra Shekhar was among those members of
the ruling party who were arrested and sent to
jail during the Emergency. He always opposed the
politics of power and valued the politics of com- Born: 17 April 1927 | Died: 8 July 2007
mitment to democratic values and social change.
Chandra Shekhar’s morals and decency were Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
exceptional. It was evident in his conduct. For Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, with the aim
example, he consistently addressed Atal Bihari of training social and political activists so that they
Vajpayee as ‘Guruji’ both privately and publicly. can educate people and work at the grassroots
Not only that, but he used to say in the House, level in the backward areas of the country. He was
‘Guruji, please pardon me; I will criticise you a little.’ the Prime Minister of India from 10 November
Chandra Shekhar was an MP from Ballia eight 1990 to 21 June 1991 after the resignation of Prime
times. Chandra Shekhar walked around 4,260 km Minister VP Singh. He died on 8 July 2007. Remem-
from Kanyakumari in the south to Rajghat in New bering him on his birth anniversary, Prime Minister
Delhi between January 6 and June 25, 1983. The Narendra Modi said, “Chandra Shekhar ji was a
primary aim of his yatra was to meet people and great personality, widely admired for his commit-
learn about their major challenges. ment to democratic values and efforts to eradicate
He established 15 Bharat Yatra Kendras in poverty. He always worked for the welfare of the
various parts of the country, including Kerala, Tamil weaker sections and the deprived.” n

10 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || July 1-15, 2025
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