Shri Bhakt Darshan political profile

BHAKT DARSHAN, SHRI, M.A., Cong.,(Uttar Pradesh-Garhwal, 1967): s. of  late Shri Gopal Singh Rawat; b. at Bansi, Distt. Basti (U.P.) March 30, 1912; ed. at D.A.V.College, Dehradun, Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan and University of Allahabad; m . Shrimati Savitri Devi, February, 1931; 5 s. and 2 d.; Journalist and Agriculturist; Chairman, Distt. Rural Development Association, Garhwal, March 1939 to November, 1940; Founder Editor, “Karma Bhumi” (a Hindi Weekly), Lansdowne, Garhwal, 1939-49; Chairman, Distt. Development Association Garhwal, July 1947 to February, 1949; President, District Board, Garhwal, May 1948 to May 1949; District Development Officer, Garhwal-cum-Dehra Dun. May 1949 to March 1951; District Planning Officer, Garhwal, March 1951 to November, 1951; Member, (1) Parliamentary  Committee for Adopting  Hindi  Equivalents ; (2) Parliamentary Committee on the recommendations of the Official Language Commission; (3) Regional Posts and Telegraph Advisory Committee, U.P. Circle; (4) Executive Committee of the Congress Party in Parliament; Convener, Standing Committee of the Congress Party in Parliament on Defence; suffered imprisonment for taking part in the struggle for Independence four times in 1930, 1941 and 1942-44; Member, First Lok Sabha, 1952-57, Second Lok Sabha, 1957-62 and Third Lok Sabha, 1962-67; Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, November, 1963 to March, 1967; Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Transport and Shipping, since March, 1967.

Social activities: Organised Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund and Azad Hind Fauj Relief Fund; Interested in the development of backward areas, particularly of the Himalayan region and in the welfare of ex-servicemen and serving soldiers.

Hobby: Hiking.

Special interest: Journalism.

Publications: Suman Smriti-Granth and Garhwal-Ki-Diwangat Vibhutiyan (both in Hindi).

Permanent address: Village Jaiharikhal, P.O. Lansdowne, District Garhwal, U.P.