Many people lived honestly, truthfully and simply in Indian politics. Among them, Morarji Desai, who was the former Prime Minister of India, is notable. Morarji Desai’s birthday, which comes once every four years, is on February 29. A collection of news about that great man who lived his life with Bhagwan Shri Krishna’s Gita as his path.
Morarji Desai was born on February 29, 1896, in the village of Badeli in the Palsar district of Gujarat, to Ranjotji and Vajyaben. From his father, who was a school teacher, Morarji Desai learned to be honest and hardworking in any situation.
In a cultured environment, he obtained a university degree in mathematics and physics. In 1918, he completed his degree in administration in the Bombay province. After that, he worked as a deputy collector for 12 years.
Accepting Mahatma Gandhi’s invitation, he resigned from his job. He joined the freedom struggle, believing that national welfare was more important than family welfare. He was arrested during the ‘Quit India’ movement and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
He became a member of the All India Congress Party in 1931. In 1937, he contested and won the Bombay provincial election on behalf of the Congress Party. At that time, he worked as the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperative Revenue.
In the 1946 election, the Congress Party came to power in the Bombay province. Morarji Desai became the Home Minister. After independence, Morarji Desai became the Chief Minister of the Bombay province in 1952.
While he was the Chief Minister of Bombay, he introduced prohibition on alcohol. He banned kissing scenes in films. He ordered the closure of restaurants at midnight. Later, when he was the Union Finance Minister, he brought in the gold control order.
Morarji Desai resigned as Chief Minister in protest against the division of Bombay Province into two states, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
When Indira Gandhi declared Emergency in 1975, Morarji was arrested and kept incommunicado. He served 19 months in prison during the Emergency.
In the subsequent general elections, he formed the Janata Party alliance under his leadership. After contesting and winning from the Surat constituency of Gujarat, Morarji Desai took office as the Prime Minister of India on 24 March 1977. With this, he became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India.
During his tenure as Prime Minister, he introduced complete prohibition of alcohol. He took steps to reduce the price of gold. He rehabilitated the Khadar and handloom industries.
The Janata Sapad Yojana was introduced. Janata food was a concept that meant providing good food for one rupee in restaurants. Only those who accepted this scheme were allowed to run restaurants.
In addition, serious efforts were made to completely abolish dowry. Morarji Desai’s economic management policies later formed the basis for economic liberalization.
Due to differences in opinion within the Janata Party, he resigned as Prime Minister 28 months after taking office. Earlier, Morarji Desai had set a record by presenting eight full budgets and two interim budgets.
After resigning as Prime Minister, Morarji Desai never looked back towards active politics. Desai, who lived a happy life, passed away on April 10, 1995, at the age of 99. His samadhi is located near the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
In 1986, Pakistan honored Morarji Desai with its highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan. In 1991, the central government honored him with the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award.
Morarji Desai is the only Indian to have received the highest civilian awards of both Pakistan and India.
Morarji Desai’s life can be described as a life of devotion. He was involved in everything, but remained calm and composed in all things.
Morarji Desai, who had a heart full of sincerity and integrity, adhered to the principle that one should act honestly and confidently in all circumstances in life.
