Giani Zail Singh, who served as the seventh President of the Republic of India, was the first Sikh to serve in this post. He held office from 1982 to 1987. His original name was Jarnail Singh.
After India became independent, he was appointed as the Revenue Minister of the recently formed Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU). In the 1972 Punjab Assembly elections, Giani Zail Singh became the Chief Minister of Punjab. His work for the people of Punjab was impressive.
A freedom fighter himself, he arranged for a lifelong pension scheme for the freedom fighters of Punjab. Prior to his presidency, he had held several ministerial posts in the union cabinet, including that of Home Minister. He was elected as President in 1982. However, his presidency was marred by several controversial issues like Operation Blue Star and anti-Sikh riots, following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. He faced a very difficult time after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in October 1984, after which her son Rajiv Gandhi was appointed Prime Minister.
He met with an accident in 1994, and was seriously injured. He died on 25th December 1994.
Picture credit: google