V. V. Giri Quotes

Ruth Renkel once remarked: Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s light shining somewhere near by. That summarises his [Giri’s] life. He was a young student at Ireland. He watched the freedom struggle by the Irish. That fanned the rebel in him. After independence, he became one of the chosen few who shared the burden of steering the nation through difficult times. Finally he became the nation’s First Citizen. The national conferred on him the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

He became friends with some of the Irish nationalists….he established a Dublin Indian Society with the 100 Indian students who were there at the time. The emebers discarded the hat . They viewed the hat as a symbol of the Britisher. Instead they took to the Fez cap.

He was never sophisticated. His loyalty to the causes he felt near to his heart, his disarming sincerity, his straight dealing, and above all humanism made him a lovable and unforgettable personality. **In: P.85

He was always remembered as one of the greatest labour Leaders which India ever had...he started his life as a Student associating himself with the Irish Freedom Movement.

Starting his career as a Trade Unionist when Trade Unionism was not prominent of public life, he came to occupy the highest office of this country, with dignity and charm. It was a day of Victory for the labour and Weaker Sections of the Society, when he became the President of India winning a political battle with popular support. He was a fearless champion of the cause of the poor and the working classes. He was always insisting upon cleaner methods in public life. As a labour leader he did not allow Trade Unions to be involved in political activities. He was a stalwart of Indian Nationalism.

I am conscious of my shortcomings, but I have always tried as an honest worker to a do a job to the best of my ability and judgment.

Unemployment is the problem of problems which has made our youths naxalites. Educated youth are deprived of all deserving comforts and their growing discontent has given scope for the sppedy growth of naxalism.

When he was declared elected [As President of India], a full-dress rehearsal was held a day before. The entire route from Rashtrapathi Bhavan to Parliament House was lined by troops in battle array. The two buildings were also surrounded by troops. Armoured vehicle and light tanks came out and a battery of filed guns was also stationed. I received calls from newspapers and news agencies if there was a coup by me or someone else! I replied to an Editor (who was a friend and whom I asked not to quote me that it was his [Giri’s] coup against Sanjiva Reddy!

I have not permitted my constitutional niceties in the way of my free functioning in public…given frank expression to views concerning administration so often.

I am more at home at an assembly like this than sitting inside the splendor of the Rashtrapathi Bhavan or Raj Bhavans.

The former President of India, has made outstanding contributions towards designing and evolving labor policy in India. He was a champion of labor movement and a person who was largely responsible for ensuring that labor and employment issues figured prominently in all policy discussions relating to growth and development.

Reading made him [during school days] ready to chose where to study law. His father spoke of Britain. But he set his heart on the National University of Ireland. He decided to enter King’s Inn, Dublin. The choice was deliberate. For Dublin was the center of Irish freedom struggle.

The destiny of India is the destiny of the masses of the vast population that inhabit this country, and every citizen has a meaningful role in shaping that destiny. There is a sacred duty cast on all of us – not written down in laws, but which is inherent – that we stand by this commitment.

The youth of the country, who are the most potent force in building India to progress and in preserving its unity, have to be shown the right example and given the right lead. A spirit of self-introspection and dedication to national well-being will make us all go along the right path.

India has been more than fortunate in her sons and daughters. You will always be associated with your great warmth and humanity, your heartiness and winning informality, and your habit of zestful dedication –qualities which have endured you to one and all and won for you universal regard and goodwill. You will be remembered always as People’s President. So, indeed were you hailed, signifying thereby your life-long closeness to the common man and particularly your association with the working class in our country, when in an unprecedented and mist keenly-fought election you romped home to victory. And, in the midst of all the pomp and regalia associated with your office, you have remained a great comer at heart.