Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai
Born 1 July 1920 · Uttar Pradesh
Died 24 August 2016
Serving as Governor of Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, and Rajasthan during the 1990s and early 2000s.
🔔 Add birthday reminderAkhlaq Ur Rehman Kidwai was an Indian chemist and politician. He served as Governor of the states of Bihar, West Bengal and Haryana. Also, he worked as Governor of the state of Rajasthan. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, from 1999 to 2004.
✨ A detail that surprised us
In 1950, Kidwai completed his PhD at Cornell University just five years after earning his M.Sc. from the University of Illinois, marking swift academic progress in the US during the post-war period.
1. 🌟 In 1950, Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai earned his PhD from Cornell University, a pivotal moment marking his transition from chemistry to public service in India.
2. From 1974 to 1977, he chaired the Union Public Service Commission, influencing the recruitment of India's civil servants during a politically turbulent era.
3. 🏛 Between 1979 and 1998, Kidwai held the Governor's office in Bihar twice, overseeing the state amid significant socio-political changes including the rise of regional political movements.
4. As Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University from 1983 to 1991, he steered one of India's oldest universities through a crucial phase of academic and infrastructural development.
5. 🌐 In 2004, Kidwai was appointed Governor of Haryana and, in an unusual dual role, took additional charge as Governor of Rajasthan in 2007, demonstrating trust in his administrative capabilities.
6. Beyond politics, he championed women's education and vocational training, chairing the Institute of Marketing and Management, New Delhi, and leading the Vocational Education Society for Women, highlighting his commitment to social empowerment.
7. 📜 Kidwai served on national science and education bodies including the National Committee on Science and Technology (1968–75) and the University Grants Commission's Central Universities Review Committee (1985–86), linking scientific research with policy.
8. ❓ What inspired a chemist trained at top US universities to navigate such diverse roles from academia to multiple gubernatorial posts across India’s complex political landscape?
Awards & Honours
- 🏅Padma Vibhushan
🔍 One thing most people don't know
Despite his scientific background, Kidwai chaired the Union Public Service Commission from 1974 to 1977, a period marked by the Emergency and reshaping of India's civil services.
🖼️ Through the Years
📅 The Journey
🗝️ Discoveries
🎥 Speeches & Recordings
Dr. A. R. Kidwai | Mashal-e Raah | A Documentary film on Dr. A. R. Kidwai | IMC, MANUU
YouTube📖 Curated Sources
🌱 What changed because of them
Kidwai's tenure as Governor in multiple states like Bihar and Haryana coincided with critical phases of regional politics, where his steady administration helped maintain constitutional order. His leadership at Aligarh Muslim University contributed to strengthening higher education infrastructure and academic governance. Furthermore, his advocacy for women's vocational education fostered greater social inclusion, influencing policy frameworks around women's empowerment in India.
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