Shri Karpoori Thakur

THAKUR, SHRI KARPOORI, Janata, (Bihar—Samastipur—1977):  s. of Shri Gokul Thakur; b. at Ismail Nagar alias Pitaujia, Pitaujia P.O., 1919; ed. at Upper Primary School, Pitaujia Middle English School, Tajpur, Tirhut Academy, Samastipur and Chandradhari Mithila College, Darbhanga; studied upto III year B.A.; m. Smt. Phuleshwari Devi; 2 s. and 1 d.; Political and Social Worker; previously associated with the Congress Socialist Party, Socialist Party, Praja Socialist Party, Samyukta Socialist Party and Bharatiya Lok Dal; left studies and participated in the ‘Quit India Movement’ of 1942; Arrested in 1943 and kept in imprisonment for 26 months; Supported Bihar Students’ Movement; Member, Bihar Legislative Assembly, 1952—74; Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Education and Finance, Government of Bihar 1967; Chief Minister, Bihar, 1970-71; Secretary, Darbhanga District Congress Socialist Party, 1945—47; Joint Secretary/Secretary, Bihar Socialist Party, 1948—52; During 1952—72, held the offices of (i) Provincial Secretary, Praja Socialist Party, Bihar, (ii) Member, National Working Committee of All-India Praja Socialist Party, (iii) Chairman, Samyukta Socialist Party, Bihar; Chairman, All-India Samyukta Socialist Party, 1969—71; Member, National Committee of Samyukta Socialist Party, 1972-73; Member, Bharatiya Lok Dal ; after its formation; Librarian, Youth Library in Home Village, 1935—40; Member, Students’ Federation, 1937—42; Assistant Secretary, Bihar Pradeshik Kisan  Sabha, 1947; Secretary, (i) Bihar Pradeshik Kisan Sabha, 1948—52, (ii) Bihar Relief Committee; Member, Central Committee of Akhil Bhartiya Hind Kisan Panchayat; Member, Bihar State Level Bhoodan or Sarvodaya Committee; Chairman/Secretary of several educational Institutions; Chairman of different Trade Unions for several years; Delegate to the International Union of Socialist Youth Convention at Vienna; was also a member of the Delegation to Yugoslavia, Resigned seat in Sixth Lok Sabha; presently Chief Minister, Bihar.

Social activities:  Took active part in Bhoodan, Gram dan and Sarvodaya Movements; Founded several educational institutions like Acharya Narendra Dev College, Shahpur Patori, Dr. Lohia College, Tajpur, Prabhavati Rumdulari High School, Pitaujia.

Favourite pastime and recreation:  Folk music, particularly classical music.

Special interests:  Constructive work; Activities relating to Khadi and Village industries.

Publications:  Several booklets on Politics, Socialist Movement and Emergency.

Travels abroad:  Austria, Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Egypt, Nepal and several European countries.

Permanent address:  Pitaujia Village and P.O., Samastipur District, Bihar.