Last Updated on 8 years by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN / New Delhi
Former Governor of Bihar, West Bengal, and Haryana and member of the Rajya Sabha Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai passed away here today after prolonged illness. He was 96.
Kidwai is survived by two sons and four daughters.
He was born in 1920 in Baragaon village of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh to Father Ashfiqur Rehman Kidwai and mother Nasimunnisa. Married to Late Jamila Qidwai has two sons and four daughters.
He studied BA at Jamia Millia Islamia University, 1940, MSc at University of Illinois, US, 1948 and PhD at Cornell University, US, 1950.
Kidwai served as Governor of Bihar twice from 1979 to 1985 and 1993 to 1998, West Bengal from 1998 to 1999, and Haryana from 2004 to 2009.
After Ms Pratibha Patil’s resignation as Governor of Rajasthan in June 2007, he took over that position, serving until S K Singh took office on September 6, 2007.
He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2004. He started his professional career as professor and head of department of Chemistry and Dean of Faculty of Science at Aligarh Muslim University, and then went on to become the Chairman of Union Public Service Commission-UPSC, from 1974 to 1977.
He was Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University from 1983 to 1992 and has also been the
director of Jammu & Kashmir Bank.
Kidwai was a member of the Rajya Sabha from January 2000 to July 2004. In addition to his political career, he was a champion for promoting research and development and elevating the status of women by education and self-reliance.
PRESIDENT CONDOLES DEATH OF DR. A.R. KIDWAI
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of Dr. A.R. Kidwai, former Governor of Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana and Rajasthan.
In a message to his son, Shri Monis Kidwai, the President has said, “I am sad to learn about the passing away Dr. A.R. Kidwai, an esteemed colleague and a dear friend of long years.
A freedom fighter, distinguished Parliamentarian and administrator, Dr. Kidwai served the nation in various capacities including as Governor of Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana and Rajasthan. For his life-long services, the grateful nation honoured him with ‘Padma Vibhushan’ award in 2011. In his death, the nation has lost an eminent leader whose services to the nation will always be remembered.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey them to the members of your family. I pray to the Almighty to give you and your family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss”.