V. V. Giri

Varahagiri Venkata Giri served as the President of India from 1969 to 1974, reaching the nation's highest office after a career defined by labour activism and regional governance. His trajectory from a student in Ireland to the executive head of the Indian state encompassed roles in trade unions, legislative assemblies, and multiple gubernatorial appointments across the country.

Early Education and Irish Influence

Born in 1894 in Brahmapur, Giri pursued higher education at the University of Madras and later moved to Ireland in 1913. He attended University College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King's Inns. While in Dublin, he engaged with Irish nationalist circles, an experience that influenced his political perspective before his call to the Irish Bar in June 1916. Upon returning to India, he enrolled at the Madras High Court.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

Labour Activism and Legislative Service

Giri became a prominent figure in the Indian labour movement, eventually serving as the president of the All India Trade Union Congress in 1926. His political career included a term as a member of the Imperial Legislative Assembly starting in 1937, followed by a tenure as minister for labour and industry. He later served as India's High Commissioner to Ceylon between 1947 and 1951 and was elected to the 1st Lok Sabha in 1951, where he held the labour portfolio until 1954.

Gubernatorial and Presidential Tenure

Beginning in 1957, Giri transitioned into a series of state leadership roles, serving as Governor of Uttar Pradesh until 1960, Governor of Kerala from 1960 to 1965, and Governor of Karnataka from 1965 to 1967. After serving as Vice President of India, he ascended to the presidency in 1969, a position he held until 1974. Following his departure from office, he received the Bharat Ratna in 1975.