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Obituary

Freedom fighter and Congressman

ND Tiwari dies on his 93 birthday

A visionary, well-cultured, multifaceted, submissive and one of the most respected politicians
across the party lines, Tiwari was admired because of his immense knowledge and
revolutionary ideas that shaped the industrial development and economy of the country,
especially Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, writes mudit mathur

any folded and you. He smiled and said, “Chaliye
unfolded chapters maharaj apse raste me baat ho
of pre-and post- jayegi” (Come with me. We will
independence- talk en-route to PMO). Since then
M era went down in I enjoyed his total confidence and
history with the demise of nona- perfect professional relationship.
genarian illustrious statesman, It helped me growing with break-
freedom fighter and intransigent ing first rate news stories in my
Congressman Narayan Datt Ti- career. I saw many up and downs
wari exactly on his 93 birthday. in his political existence but every
His contribution to national life time he sailed the challenges and
began with “Quit India” move- overshadowed his opponents
ment during 1942-44 where he with cordial manners and smil-
was in prison along with his fa- ing face. It was his unique quality
ther Poornanand Tiwari for 19 that he never used harsh words
months. A visionary, well-cul- or foul language against his polit-
tured, multifaceted, submissive ical adversaries and never went
and one of the most respected in press against them.
politicians across the party lines, In August 1984, Tiwari re-
Tiwari was admired because of placed Sripati Mishra and be-
his immense knowledge and came second time chief minis-
revolutionary ideas that shaped ter of the biggest and politically
the industrial development and crucial north Indian state, at the
economy of the country, espe- time when state Congress party
cially Uttar Pradesh and Uttara- was ridden with different fac-
khand. Popularly called NDT, an tions and groups. Indira Gandhi
intelligent scholar blended with 1925 t o 20 18 in those troubled times trusted
his perennial ever-enticing smile, the leadership of ND Tiwari as
had a strong presence in India’s uncontroversial leader accept-
parliamentary democracy for more than having the charge of Planning Commis- able to all factions lobbying against Sri-
half-a-century without any charges of sion as its vice chairman besides Minis- pati Mishra.
corruption in his official capacity. He was ter for Industries and additional charge NDT always enjoyed confidence of
a perfect Congressman and unsung hero of Labour also. I met him at Udyog Bha- Indira Gandhi, when he was elevated to
in his party. wan where his private secretary Gupta the coveted office of the UP chief minis-
In the profession, I came in his touch arranged my meeting with him. Sud- ter succeeding HN Bahuguna in 1976. He
in 1980 when after the downfall of Con- denly the then prime minister Indira had remained an Indira loyalist even af-
gress party following the Emergency Gandhi called him so he had to rush to ter her assassination. During the tenure
in1977, it rejuvenated to power and he PMO. I told him that I have come here of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he had
became key player in the national polity all the way from Lucknow to interview opposed the unlocking of the disputed

Tehelka / 15 november 2018 38 www.Tehelka.com

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