Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was a prominent Indian politician, freedom fighter, and social reformer. He played a key role in India’s independence movement and later became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Known for his leadership skills and dedication to public service, he worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the poor and backward communities. His contributions to Indian politics and society are remembered even today.
Early Life and Education
Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was born on April 25, 1919, in Bughani, a small village in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. He belonged to a Garhwali Brahmin family. His early life was filled with struggles, but he was determined to pursue education.
He completed his primary schooling in Pauri and later moved to Allahabad for higher education. He attended Allahabad University, where he earned a degree in Arts in 1946. During his student years, he was an active participant in political and social movements, which shaped his future as a leader.
Participation in the Freedom Movement
Bahuguna was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and the principles of non-violence. He actively took part in the Quit India Movement (1942-1946), which aimed to end British rule in India. Due to his participation in this movement, he was imprisoned for several years. His time in jail strengthened his resolve to serve the nation.
After India gained independence in 1947, Bahuguna dedicated himself to politics and social work. He focused on rural development, education, and welfare programs for marginalized communities.
Political Career
Bahuguna’s political journey began in the Indian National Congress (INC). His leadership qualities quickly earned him important positions in the party.
Union Minister
In 1971, Bahuguna was appointed as State Minister for Communication in the central government. His work in this role helped improve India’s communication infrastructure.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1973-1975)
In 1973, Bahuguna became the 8th Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. As the leader of India’s most populous state, he implemented several development projects, focusing on rural upliftment, education, and employment. However, due to political disagreements with Indira Gandhi, he was forced to resign in 1975.
Separation from Congress and Formation of CFD
Bahuguna’s relationship with Indira Gandhi became strained during the Emergency period (1975-1977). Disagreeing with her policies, he left Congress and formed a new political group called Congress for Democracy (CFD) along with Jagjivan Ram and Nandini Satpathy. This group later joined the Janata Party, which opposed Indira Gandhi’s rule.
Janata Party and Role as Finance Minister
In the 1977 general elections, Bahuguna played a key role in the victory of the Janata Party, which came to power after defeating Indira Gandhi. He became Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers in Morarji Desai’s government.
Later, in 1979, he became India’s Finance Minister under Charan Singh’s government. During his tenure, India faced a major economic crisis due to the global energy crisis, leading to a 5.2% decline in GDP. Despite this challenge, Bahuguna took strong economic decisions to stabilize the country.
Return to Congress and Parliamentary Elections
In 1980, Bahuguna rejoined Indira Gandhi’s Congress (I) and won the Lok Sabha election from Garhwal. However, he soon left the party and resigned from Parliament. In 1982, he contested the by-election again and won as an independent candidate.
In 1984, he contested the Lok Sabha elections from Allahabad against Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who was the Congress candidate. Bahuguna lost by a margin of 1.87 lakh votes, marking the end of his electoral career.
Personal Life
Bahuguna was married to Kamala Bahuguna, and the couple had three children:
- Vijay Bahuguna – Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and a senior BJP leader.
- Rita Bahuguna Joshi – Former UP Congress Chief and later a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- Shekhar Bahuguna – A businessman and social worker.
His grandson, Saurabh Bahuguna, is also a politician and currently serves as Minister in the Uttarakhand Government.
Death and Legacy
In 1988, Bahuguna fell seriously ill and went to the United States for coronary bypass surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful, and he passed away on March 17, 1989, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Even after his death, Bahuguna’s contributions continue to inspire many. To honor his legacy, the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in Srinagar, Uttarakhand, and Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Uttarakhand Medical Education University in Dehradun were named after him.
Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was a visionary leader who dedicated his life to public service, social reforms, and democracy. He played a crucial role in shaping modern Indian politics, standing up against authoritarian rule and working tirelessly for the welfare of the people. His legacy continues to inspire political leaders and social activists in India.
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