Dr. Zakir Husain was the third President of India. He was a freedom fighter and educational reformer. He held office from 13th May 1967, until his death on 3rd May, 1969.
Dr. Husain was the country’s first Muslim President, and also the first to die in office. He occupied the office for the shortest period. He was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1952 for the first time. He was elected for one more time in 1956. He became the Governor of Bihar in 1957. In 1962, he was elected as the second Vice President of India.
He was someone who relentlessly worked for nationality, educational progress and secularism in India. The nation honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan in 1954, and then the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in the country, in 1963.
He was also the co-founder of the Jamia Milia Islamic University. Jamia Milia was very much involved in the freedom struggle of India. The colonial British government soon imprisoned many of its teachers and students. The university faced financial crisis and Dr. Zakir Husain, along with his friends, helped Jamia Milia to resolve the problems. He served as its Vice Chancellor for approximately 21 years.
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