Who Is Shankar Dayal Sharma? Age, Biography and Wiki
Shankar Dayal Sharma was born on August 19, 1918, and served as the 9th President of India from 1992 to 1997. In 2025, he would be celebrating his 107th birthday. Throughout his lifetime, he played a significant role in Indian politics, and his contributions continue to be discussed in various academic and political circles. A highly educated individual, Sharma was known for his efforts in promoting social justice and education reform in India.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1918 |
| Age | 81 Years |
| Birth Place | Bhopal, Bhopal State, British India (now Madhya Pradesh, India) |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 26 December, 1999 |
| Died Place | New Delhi, India |
Popularity
Shankar Dayal Sharma's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements in terms of height and weight for Shankar Dayal Sharma are not widely documented, his presence was known to be quite distinguished during his tenure. As an accomplished statesman, he projected a persona that exuded confidence and authority.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Shankar Dayal Sharma was married to Vimla Sharma. Together, they had three children. Throughout his political career, he maintained a relatively low profile concerning his family life, focusing instead on his public duties and responsibilities.
Net Worth and Salary
While specific figures regarding Shankar Dayal Sharma's net worth and salary during his presidency have not been disclosed, it is well-known that as President of India, he enjoyed significant privileges and a government salary. Post-retirement, he remained an influential figure, though exact details about his financial standing have not been publicly shared.
Sharma was president of the Bhopal State Congress during 1950 to 1952. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Bhopal from Berasia in the elections of 1952 and became chief minister of Bhopal State in 1952. In 1956, following the reorganization of states, Bhopal State was merged with the new state of Madhya Pradesh.
Sharma played an important role in retaining Bhopal as the capital of this new state. In the elections of 1957, 1962 and 1967, Sharma was elected to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Udaipura as a candidate of the Congress party.
During this time he was a cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh government and variously held portfolios of education, law, public works, industry and commerce and revenue. As minister for education, he emphasized secular pedagogy in schools and textbooks were revised to avoid religious bias.
Career, Business, and Investments
Shankar Dayal Sharma's political career began in the pre-independence era. He was deeply involved in the Indian National Congress and played critical roles in various governmental capacities, including as Governor of Madhya Pradesh. His presidency witnessed several landmark initiatives concerning economic reform and social justice.
After his presidency, Sharma continued to contribute through various organizations and forums, advocating for education and social issues. His political involvement may have included investments in social enterprises aimed at furthering his vision of a progressive society.
Social Network
Though Shankar Dayal Sharma has passed away (he died on December 26, 1999), his legacy continues to be honored. Various social networks and platforms discuss his contributions to Indian politics and governance. Tributes and discussions concerning his life can often be found on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where historians and political analysts engage with his legacy.
In October 1974, Sharma was appointed Minister of Communications in the Indira Gandhi ministry and was succeeded as president of the Congress by D. K. Barooah. He remained in that post until his defeat in the general election of 1977 by Arif Baig. Sharma was reelected from Bhopal in the general election of 1980.
Education
Shankar Dayal Sharma was a well-educated individual. He earned degrees from prestigious institutions, including a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Allahabad. His educational background played a crucial role in shaping his views and policies during his political career.
Born in Bhopal, Sharma studied at Agra, Allahabad and Lucknow and received a doctorate in constitutional law from the University of Cambridge and was a bar-at-law from Lincoln's Inn and a Brandeis Fellow at Harvard University. During 1948–49, Sharma was one of the leaders of the movement for the merger of Bhopal State with India, a cause for which he served eight months' imprisonment.
