Dr. Zakir Hussain (February 8, 1897-May 3, 1969) was the third President of India from May 13, 1967 until his death.
He was born at Hyderabad on February 8, 1897. His father, Fida Hussain Khan, went to Hyderabad, studied Law and had a most successful career.
Unfortunately, he died when Dr. Zakir Hussain was only ten years old.
He went for higher education to Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College (now Aligarh Muslim University). He was known even in those days for his love for knowledge, his wit and eloquence and his readiness to help his fellow students.
Zakir Hussain, then only 23 and a student of the M.A. class, was among the small group of students and teachers who decided to establish a National Muslim University by the name of Jamia Millia Islamia.
Jamia Millia Islamia came into being on 29 October, 1920. But Zakir Hussain did not wish to leave his studies incomplete and he went to the University of Berlin in Germany for higher studies in 1923, returning with a doctorate in Economics three years later. He rejoined the Jamia Millia in 1926 and became the Vice-Chancellor. He was the President of Hindustani Talimi Sangh, Sevagram from 1938 to 1948.
In November 1948, Dr. Zakir Hussain was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University. The World University Service made him the Chairman of the Indian National Committee and in 1954 he was elected the World President of the organization. He was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha. He remained the Chairman, Central Board of Secondary Education, till 1957, a member of the University Grants Commission till 1957.
In 1957 he was appointed the Governor of Bihar and in 1962 he was declared elected as the Vice President of India. In 1967 he was sworn in as the Third President of the Indian Republic. He held the highest office of the country with exemplary grace and dignity till his sudden death on 3 May, 1969.
Dr. Zakir Hussain was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1954 and Bharat Ratna in 1963.
