SHARMA, DR. SHANKER DAYAL, M.A. (English Literature & Hindi with Sanskrit), LL.M. (Cantab), Ph.D.. D.P.A. London), Bar-at-law, LL.D. (Honoris causa)  [Congress (1)— Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, 1980]  s. of Pt. Khushilal Sharma Vaidya Shastri; b. at Bhopal, August 19, 1918; ed. at St. Johns College, Agra, Allahabad University, Lncknow University, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, Harvard Law School, Zurich University, London University and Lincoln’s Inn; m. Smt. Vimala Sharma, May 7, 1950; 2 s. and 2 d.; Advocate; was arrested in Freedom and merger movements in Bhopal and was detained and sentenced to eight months rigorous imprisonment; Chief Minister, Bhopal State, 1952-56: Cabinet Minister, Government of Madhya Pradesh, holding charges of Education, Law, Public Works, Industry and Commerce, National Resources, Separate Revenue etc., 1956-67; Union Minister for Communications, October 10, 1974-March 24, 77; President, (i) Bhopal Congress Committee, 1950-52, (ii) Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, 1967-68; Member, Working Committee, All India Congress Committee, since 1967; General Secretary, Indian National Congress, 1968-72; President, Indian National Congress, 1972-74; Member, All India Congrsss Committee for 28 years; Member, (i) Bhopal Legislative Assembly, 1952-56, (ii) Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, 1956-71, (iii) Fifth Lok Sabha, 1971-77. 

Favourite pastime and recreation:  Reading and writing; walking; journalism; tourism; swimming and playing chess.  

Special interests:  International Affairs; rural development; philosophy and education.  

Accomplishments in letters, art and science; other achievements:  Awarded Chakravarti Gold Medal for social service by Lucknow University.  Fellow, Harvard Law School 1947-48, Taught law at Lucknow University for 9 years and taught Law at Cambridge University, 1946-47.

Publications:  “Congress Approach to International Affairs”; “Kranti-Drishta”; Editor, (i) Lucknow Law Journal, 1941-43, (ii) ‘Light and Learning”, 1942-43, (iii) Urdu Ilm-o-Noor and (iv) ‘Socialist India,’ 1971.  

Sports and clubs:  Cross country races Champion, Allahabad University, Lucknow University Swimming Champion for three consecutive years; Captain, Lucknow University Rowing and Swimming Club; President,  (i) Lucknow University Swimming & Rowing Club, 1949-50, (ii) All India Shooting Bull Federation since 1979.  

Travels abroad:  U.K., U.S.A., France, Switzerland, Canada, USSR, Sweden, Hungary, Denmark, Yugoslavia, Austria, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Kenya, Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg.  

Permanent address: 17 H.I.G. Qbaidullahganj Road, Bhopal, MadhyaPradesh.