Gulzarilal Nanda: The Steward of India in Times of Transition
Gulzarilal Nanda (4 July 1898 – 15 January 1998) an Indian politician and economist.
Early Life And Education
Gulzarilal Nanda was born on July 4, 1898, in Sialkot, which was then part of Punjab Province in British India and is now in Pakistan. He hailed from a Punjabi Hindu Khatri family. Nanda’s educational journey took him through several cities; he received his education in Lahore, Amritsar, Agra, and finally at Allahabad University. His time at Allahabad University was particularly significant as he worked as a research scholar on labor problems from 1920 to 1921. Following his research period, he became a professor of economics at the National College in Bombay (now Mumbai). Nanda’s early life was also marked by his active participation in the Indian freedom movement; he joined the Indian Non-Cooperation Movement against the British Raj in 1921 and was imprisoned for his involvement in Satyagraha in 1932, and again from 1942 to 1944.
Career And Achievements
Gulzarilal Nanda was a prominent figure in Indian politics, known for his expertise in labor issues and his role in the country’s post-independence government structure. Nanda’s career was marked by significant contributions to the labor movement and public service. He began his career as a research scholar on labor problems at Allahabad University from 1920 to 1921 and later became an economics professor at the National College in Bombay. His political journey was intertwined with India’s struggle for independence, during which he joined Mahatma Gandhi’s noncooperation movement and was imprisoned for civil disobedience. Nanda’s political career advanced as he was elected to Bombay’s legislative assembly in 1937, where he served as Parliament secretary for labor and excise and later as Bombay’s secretary of labor. His dedication to labor issues led him to form the Indian National Trade Union Congress and represent India at the International Labour Conference in Geneva. Nanda held several cabinet positions, including minister of planning, irrigation and power, labor, employment, and planning, and home affairs. Notably, he served twice as interim prime minister of India during transitional periods following the deaths of Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri. For his service, Nanda was honored with the ‘Proud Past Alumni’ award from Allahabad University Alumni Association and, most prestigiously, the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1997. His legacy is remembered for his commitment to India’s development and his steady leadership during times of national uncertainty.
Notable Events And Milestones
In 1921, he became the professor of economics at the National College in Bombay. He couldn’t resist joining the Non-Cooperation Movement against the British during the freedom struggle. He joined the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association and served as secretary from 1922 until 1946. He was jailed twice in between, once in 1932 for Satyagraha and then in 1942 for two years. In 1937, he was elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly, where he served for two years as Parliamentary Secretary for Labor and Excise. In this profile, he worked hard for the city’s advancement and progress. From 1946 to 1950, he worked as the Labour Minister of the Bombay Government. he did a lot of important things during his time as Labour Minister. Aside from working for the Labour Disputes Bill in the state assembly, he was a trustee of the Kasturba Memorial Trust, secretary of the Hindustan MazdoorSevakSangh (Indian Labor Welfare Organization), and Bombay Housing Board chairman.
He joined the National Planning Committee. He helped organize the Indian National Trade Union Congress and became its president. In 1947, as Labor Minister of India, he represented India at the International Labor Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. He also worked on The Freedom of Association Committee, which held conferences across Europe including Sweden, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the UK. He studied foreign workers and housing conditions during the Committee conference. During his time in government, Nanda held several cabinet positions. He was named planning minister in 1951, and a year later, he won a seat in the Lok Sabha (legislative assembly) and got irrigation and power too. He became labor, employment, and planning minister in 1957. During the 1959 International Labor Conference in Geneva, he once again represented India. He also visited Germany, Yugoslavia, and Austria.
He was the minister of labour and employment from 1962 to 1963 and of home affairs from 1963 to 1966 When Nanda was Minister of Home Affairs, Jawaharlal Nehru died. He served as interim prime minister for 13 days before Lal Bahadur Shastri was elected as the next prime minister. Nanda became the interim Prime Minister of India again in 1966 when Lal Bahadur Shastri died. Yet again, he held the position for thirteen days before Indira Gandhi took over. Later, he was railways minister (1970-71). He died on 15 January 1998, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Awards And Honors
- Bharat Ratna: Gulzarilal Nanda was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1997 for his services to the nation.
- Proud Past Alumni: He was honored with the ‘Proud Past Alumni’ award by the Allahabad University Alumni Association.
Additional Resources
- “A Dedicated Worker – Shri Gulzarilal Nanda” is a short documentary film directed by A. K. Goorha, produced by the Films Division of India, which covers Nanda’s work towards laborers and others as the Prime Minister and otherwise.
- The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, a museum on Indian Prime Ministers, features a gallery where visitors can explore the life and achievements of Shri Gulzarilal Nanda, who served as India’s Prime Minister for two brief terms.
- For a historical perspective, the book “Pilgrimage And After: How Congress Won And Fought General Election Nanda Gulzarilal 1952” is available for reading online, providing insights into the political landscape during Nanda’s era.
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