Former Uttarakhand chief minister and Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award for his distinguished service in the field of public affairs. The honor also recognizes his successful career as a teacher and journalist, highlighting his multifaceted contributions to society.
Early Life and Educational Background
Originally hailing from the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, Koshyari completed his Master's degree in English from Almora University in 1964. During his academic years, he demonstrated leadership qualities by serving as the general secretary of his college's student union. His involvement in educational governance continued as he represented the Executive Council of Kumaon University across multiple terms from 1979 to 1991.
Professional Career in Education and Journalism
Koshyari's professional journey began as a lecturer at Raja Inter College in Raja Ka Rampur, Etah, Uttar Pradesh. His passion for journalism led him to found and manage a weekly publication called Parvat Piyush from Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand in 1975. Additionally, he authored two significant books: Uttaranchal Pradesh Kyun? and Uttaranchal Sangharsh Evam Samadhan, alongside contributing articles to various newspapers.
Contributions to Educational Institutions
Beyond his writing, Koshyari played a pivotal role in establishing educational institutions. He founded schools such as Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Pithoragarh, Vivekanand Vidya Mandir intercollege, and Saraswati Vihar Higher Secondary School in Nainital, underscoring his commitment to fostering education in the region.
Political Trajectory and Controversies
Koshyari has long been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). During the Emergency period, he was detained at Almora and Fatehgarh Central Jail under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), reflecting his active involvement in political movements.
His political career advanced in May 1997 when he became a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council. Following the bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, he was appointed as the minister of Energy, Irrigation, Law, and Legislative Affairs in the newly formed state of Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand). In 2001, he succeeded Nityanand Swami as the chief minister of Uttarakhand, although his tenure lasted only a year due to the BJP's loss in the 2002 Assembly elections.
Koshyari's political influence extended to national levels when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Uttarakhand in 2008 and won the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Controversial Role as Maharashtra Governor
As Maharashtra Governor, Koshyari courted controversy in November 2019 when he administered the oath to Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister and Ajit Pawar as deputy chief minister. This move occurred amidst a hung Assembly after the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, broke its pre-poll alliance with the BJP to negotiate with the NCP and Congress. The "coup" lasted merely three days as the BJP failed to secure sufficient numbers, leading to criticism against Koshyari for allegedly ignoring precedent and exploiting loopholes to influence state power dynamics.
Recognition and Legacy
The Padma Bhushan award serves as a testament to Koshyari's enduring impact across public service, education, and journalism. Despite facing opposition and controversy, his contributions have left a significant mark on Indian politics and society.
