Morarji Desai, former PM's birthday
Shri Morarji Desai was born on February 29, 1896 in Bhadeli village, now in the Bulsar district of Gujarat. After graduating from the Wilson Civil Service of the then Bombay Province in 1918, he served as a Deputy Collector for twelve years. He resigned his job in 1930 and joined the freedom struggle. He was imprisoned thrice during the freedom struggle.
Shri Desai was arrested and detained on June 26, 1975, when Emergency was declared. He was kept in solitary confinement and was released on January 18, 1977. He led the first non-Congress government of Janata Party and a very honest man and lived a very simple life. Was cycling to Parliament many times. “No one, not even the Prime Minister”, he had repeatedly said “should be above the law of the land”.
During his rule, he withdrew intervention in Public Distribution System and rationing shops were literally lost due to cheap sugar and oil available in the market. Those days these were unthinkable. Though people did not support his 14 carrat Gold scheme, he had the good of the country while announcing this project. He discontinued the 5 year plans being followed earlier.
He was awarded Bharat Ratna in the year 1991 along with Mr. Abdul Kalam, former President of India.
