Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was a veteran statesman and administrator. He held many eminent positions in public life both before, and after independence. Reddy was elected as the President on 21st July, 1977. He had sworn in as the sixth President of India on 25th July, 1977. He was the only candidate to have contested twice in the presidential race, once in 1969 against V.V. Giri, and then in 1977. When he was nominated for the presidency in 1969 by the Congress Party, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in a divisive move, supported V.V. Giri, who won.
As the President, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy visited many states in India. He also visited many foreign lands during his term as the President, including the USSR, Bulgaria, Kenya, Zambia, the UK, Ireland, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Yugoslavia. Reddy worked with three governments, with Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Indira Gandhi.
Reddy authored the book – ‘Without Fear or Favour: Reminiscences and Reflections of a President’. It was published in 1989. Reddy died in 1996 at the age of 83. His samadhi is at Kallahalli, near Bangalore.