Upendra Nath Verma

Upendra Nath Verma, known with the honorific "Lokratna", is an Indian politician from Bihar. He was elected to the lower House of the Indian Parliament, the Lok Sabha from Chatra, Bihar , as a member of the Janata Dal.[2] He was the Union Minister for State, Rural Development in 1989-90 in the cabinet of Vishwanath Pratap Singh. Verma was a distinguished social reformer and author, who published numerous works on the social issues prevalent in Indian society. In his political career, he was associated with Samyukta Socialist Party besides Janata Dal and has served as Minister of Education and Revenue in Government of Bihar in 1967 and 1977 respectively.[3][4][5]

Upendra Nath Verma
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1989-1996
Preceded byRanjit Singh
Succeeded byDhirendra Agarwal
ConstituencyChatra, Bihar
Minister of Land Reforms and Revenue, Government of Bihar
In office
1977-80
Minister of state for Rural Development, Government of India
In office
1989-90[1]
Minister for Education, Government of Bihar
In office
1967-68
Personal details
Political partyJanata Dal
Other political
affiliations		Samyukta Socialist Party
SpouseGirija Kumari Verma
ChildrenBagi Kumar Verma (son)
Source:

Life and political career

Verma served as member of legislative assembly in Bihar and was considered as an influential leader of Koeris in the Magadh region.[6] Prior to his entry into active politics, he was a teacher by profession. Verma was a social reformer and freedom fighter as well. He is known for active participation in Indian Independence movement. Having served as minister in both Government of Bihar and Government of India, he is known for his work in the education sector. As state minister for education in Government of Bihar, Verma led establishment of 22 High Schools and 2 colleges. He also served as minister for land reforms and revenue. His son Bagi Kumar Verma is a member of Bihar Legislative Assembly from Kurtha Assembly constituency.[7] His daughter in law, Kumud Verma has served as member of Bihar Legislative Council (Kumud is wife of his second son Abhijat Verma[8]).[9][10]

Verma was born on 23 August 1921, in Mukhdumpur bloc of Gaya district. The name of his village is Imanbigha. He was a socialist leader and considered as one of the pillars of socialism in the state of Bihar. He, along with Karpoori Thakur, Basawon Singh and others were instrumental in fighting against the feudalism in the state of Bihar. He won his first election from Konch Assembly constituency in 1967, and was appointed as state minister for education in first non-congress government in Bihar. In 1977, he was made revenue minister in Government of Bihar. In 1989 and 1991 General Elections, he won from Chatra constituency and subsequently appointed to Rural Development ministry in the cabinet of V.P Singh. Verma has served as state president of Samyukta Socialist Party for 9 terms, for the state of Bihar.[8]

In 1977, he was elected to Bihar Legislative Assembly from Gurua Assembly constituency, as a candidate of Janata Party. He was also appointed as president of "Bihar State Farmers Commission" by Nitish Kumar, the post, which he held till his death.[11]

Verma also played important role in bringing Bhagwati Devi into active politics. In 1960s, Devi, who belonged to rat-eater Musahar caste, used to work as casual labourer as stone crusher. On one such occasion, while she was breaking the stones with rural women and discussing about the rights of women with other labourers, she was spotted by Verma. Verma informed Ram Manohar Lohia about her, and in 1969, Lohia granted her ticket to contest state assembly elections as a candidate of Samyukta Socialist Party. Thus, in 1969, Devi became a member of Bihar Legislative Assembly.[12]

Writings

Verma also established himself as writer, his works were primarily in Hindi language and dealt with social issues. He authored "Anna Sankat", "Khet Mazdooron Ka Sawat", "Bihar Mein Savinaya Awagya", "Bihar Mein Madhyavadhi Chunav", "Cheeni Hamle Ka Mukabila", "Apani Lathi Apana Raj" in Hindi. Besides this, he was also the editor of 'Mook Awaj', a Hindi Weekly published from Gaya since 1980.[5]

Legacy

In order to commemorate his work in field of education, several colleges are established in various parts of Bihar and Jharkhand. In Gaya, Bihar, Upendera Nath Verma Inter college has been established, which is named after him.[13]

References
  1. "Upendra Nath Verma dead". New Indian express. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  2. India. Parliament. Lok Sabha (1995). Lok Sabha Debates. Lok Sabha Secretariat. p. 9. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  3. Parliament of India, the Ninth Lok Sabha, 1989-1991: A Study. Northern Book Centre. 1992. p. 96. ISBN 978-81-7211-019-2. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  4. Proceedings of Conference of Ministers of Rural Development and Rural Water Supply, New Delhi, 29th October 1990. Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. 1990. p. 21. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  5. "Upendra Nath Verma". Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. "'Lenin' waits wrapped in plastic". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  7. "उपेंद्र नाथ वर्मा की 10वीं पुण्यतिथि पर हुआ राजकीय समारोह". jagran.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  8. "समाजवादी आंदोलन की अंतिम कड़ी थे लोकरत्न उपेन्द्रनाथ वर्मा". Bhaskar. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  9. "श्रद्धांजलि:उपेंद्र नाथ वर्मा समाजवादी आंदोलन के पुरोधा थे: अभय". Bhaskar. Archived from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  10. "Bihar CM Nitish Kumar plays EBC/women card in Magadh'". Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  11. "Ex-minister UpendraNath Verma cremated". Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  12. "नारी शक्ति: संसद पहुंचीं पत्थर तोड़ने वाली महादलित महिला भगवती देवी". livehindustan.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  13. "मनाई गई लोकरत्न उपेंद्र नाथ वर्मा की जयंती". Live Hindustan. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
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