On May 3rd, 2023, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, extended his humble greetings to former President Bharat Ratna Dr Zakir Hussain on his death anniversary. The late Dr Hussain was a scholar, educationist, and statesman who made invaluable contributions to the development of India.
Nitin Gadkari took to Twitter to pay his respects to Dr Zakir Hussain, saying, “On the death anniversary of former President Bharat Ratna Dr Zakir Hussain, I extend my humble greetings to him. He was a true visionary who dedicated his life to the service of our nation. His contributions to education and public service will always be remembered.”
Born on February 8th, 1897, in Hyderabad, Dr Zakir Hussain was a distinguished scholar who received his education from Jamia Millia Islamia and St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. He went on to become the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, where he made significant contributions to the development of the institution.
In 1952, Dr. Zakir Hussain was appointed as the Governor of Bihar, and later as the Vice-President of India in 1962. He became the President of India in 1967, making him the first Muslim to hold this prestigious office. During his tenure as President, he made significant contributions to the fields of education, culture, and social welfare.
Dr Zakir Hussain was a champion of education, and he believed that education was the key to the progress and development of the nation. He founded the Zakir Husain Delhi College, which is now a premier institution of higher education in the country. He also played a crucial role in the establishment of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the National Institute of Sports.
His contributions to the nation were recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. He was also conferred with several international honours, including the Order of Merit from the Government of Yugoslavia and the United Nations Peace Medal.
Nitin Gadkari’s tribute to Dr Zakir Hussain on his death anniversary is a reminder of the legacy of this great Indian scholar and statesman. His contributions to education and public service continue to inspire generations of Indians, and his memory will always be cherished by the nation.
