Shri Varahagiri Venkata Giri

Shri Varahagiri Venkata Giri

Shri Varahagiri Venkata Giri (10 August 1894–24 June 1980) was an Indian labour leader and statesman who served as Acting President of India in 1969 and later became the 4th President of India, serving from 24 August 1969 to 24 August 1974. He also served as Vice President (1967–1969) and held several governor and ministerial posts.

  • Full name: Shri Varahagiri Venkata Giri (President of India)
  • Common name / short name: V. V. Giri (President of India)
  • Category (Domain): Politics & Government
  • Country: India
  • Role/Office (primary): 4th President of India (President of India)
  • Current status: Deceased (President of India)
  • Party/Alliance: Indian National Congress (political affiliation in major biographies); elected President as an independent candidate in 1969 (Encyclopedia Britannica)
  • Constituency/Region: Not constituency-based for constitutional offices; elected to Lok Sabha from Pathapatnam; born in Berhampur/Brahmapur (Odisha) (Wikipedia)

Overview

Shri Varahagiri Venkata Giri is best known for serving as President of India from 1969 to 1974. Before that, he became Acting President in 1969 and served as Vice President from 1967 to 1969. His earlier public work included labour leadership, diplomacy (as High Commissioner), and state-level governance as Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Mysore State (now Karnataka).

Early life and education

Giri was born on 10 August 1894 in Berhampur/Brahmapur (present-day Odisha). Official biography material notes that he studied law and social science at University College Dublin in Ireland.

Profession before politics

Before holding high constitutional office, he worked as a lawyer/barrister and became closely linked with labour and trade-union activities in India. Later, he also served in diplomatic and administrative roles, including as India’s High Commissioner to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Political career and key roles

Key positions held

  • President of India: 24 August 1969 – 24 August 1974
  • Acting President of India: 3 May 1969 – 19 July 1969
  • Vice President of India (and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha): 13 May 1967 – 3 May 1969
  • Governor of Uttar Pradesh: 10 June 1957 – 30 June 1960
  • Governor of Kerala: 1 July 1960 – 11 April 1965
  • Governor of Mysore State (now Karnataka): 2 April 1965 – 13 May 1967
  • Indian High Commissioner to Ceylon (Sri Lanka): 1947 – 1951
  • Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha: April 1952 – April 1957
  • Union Minister of Labour: 1952 – 1954

Major elections and milestones

  • 1951–52 (Lok Sabha, Pathapatnam): Elected.
  • 1957 (Lok Sabha, Pathapatnam): Contested; not elected.
  • 1967 (Vice-Presidential election): Elected; assumed office on 13 May 1967.
  • 1969 (Presidential election): Contested after stepping down from the acting role; elected President as an independent candidate.

Major initiatives and decisions

  • Early 1950s (Labour Ministry): Biographical summaries associate him with strengthening tripartite labour consultation and industrial-relations practice, sometimes described as a “Giri approach.”
  • July 1969 (Acting President): A Mint column notes that an ordinance linked to the nationalisation of 14 major banks was promulgated during his period as Acting President, shortly before he stepped down from the acting role.

Books and Publications

Awards and honours​

  • Bharat Ratna: 1975

Public perception

Strengths commonly cited

Encyclopedic biographies commonly describe him as an important figure in India’s labour movement and as an experienced administrator who served in major constitutional roles, including Vice President, Acting President, and President.

Criticisms and controversies

  • 1969 presidential election context: The election is widely discussed as politically contested and took place during a period of internal division within the ruling party. Sources note that he ran as an independent candidate after resigning from the acting presidency.

Legal cases

No verified criminal legal cases are highlighted as defining features in the major encyclopedic biography and official profiles used in the provided sources.

Digital and Media

  • Official website: Not applicable (historical figure; official biographies are hosted on government portals).
  • Official social profiles: Not applicable.
  • Official biography pages: Available through the President of India and Vice President of India portals.

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FAQs

Who was V. V. Giri?

He was an Indian labour leader and statesman who became the 4th President of India. He also served as Acting President in 1969 and earlier as Vice President from 1967 to 1969.

He was born on 10 August 1894. Official sources list his birthplace as Berhampur/Brahmapur in present-day Odisha.

He died on 24 June 1980. Britannica lists his place of death as Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu.

He served as President from 24 August 1969 to 24 August 1974. His term is listed on the President of India website.

He served as Acting President after the death of President Dr. Zakir Husain. This acting period is listed in the Vice President of India profile (3 May 1969 – 19 July 1969).

Biographies describe him as associated with the Indian National Congress. However, Britannica notes he was elected President as an independent candidate in 1969.

He served as Vice President of India and held multiple governor roles. He was Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Mysore State (now Karnataka), and also served as Union Minister of Labour.

He is often described as a key figure in India’s labour movement. Official biographical summaries highlight labour leadership and his work in industrial relations during his ministerial period.

Yes. He received the Bharat Ratna in 1975. This is stated in the Vice President of India profile.

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