CM Mohan Yadav Pays Tribute to President V. V. Giri on Birth Anniversary
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav paid tribute to former President and Bharat Ratna V. V. Giri on his birth anniversary on 10 August, honouring Giri's role in India's independence movement and post-1947 nation-building.
Key Takeaways
Mohan Yadav posted a tribute to V.
Giri on his birth anniversary, 10 August 2026 .
Giri was the fourth President of India , serving from 1969 to 1974 .
Giri was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1975 , India's highest civilian honour.
He was a prominent freedom fighter and trade union leader before and after independence.
The tribute reflects a bipartisan tradition of honouring independence-era leaders on national anniversaries.
On his birth anniversary, the memory of Varahagiri Venkata Giri — freedom fighter, labour champion, and the fourth President of India — drew a respectful salute from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Monday, 10 August 2026.
Posting on X, CM Yadav wrote: 'पूर्व राष्ट्रपति, भारत रत्न, वी. वी. गिरि जी की जयंती पर सादर नमन करता हूं।' ['I respectfully bow on the birth anniversary of former President and Bharat Ratna V. V. Giri.'] He added that Giri's sacrifices for the nation's independence and his contribution to post-independence nation-building 'will remain unforgettable.'
Who Was V. V. Giri?
V. V. Giri was born on 10 August 1894 in Berhampur, Odisha. A lawyer by training, he joined the independence movement under Mahatma Gandhi and became one of the most prominent trade union leaders of pre-independence India, championing the rights of railway workers at a time when organised labour had little political voice. After independence, he served in several gubernatorial and ministerial roles before ascending to the nation's highest office. He served as President of India from 1969 to 1974 — a tenure notable for its political drama, as his election was marked by a split within the Congress party and a call by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for a 'conscience vote.' He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 1975.A Recurring Ritual of National Memory
CM Yadav's tribute follows a well-established tradition across party lines: Indian political leaders use social media to publicly acknowledge the birth and death anniversaries of former presidents, prime ministers, and freedom fighters. It is a ritual of national memory that cuts across ideology — a shared grammar of public life in independent India. For a BJP leader to honour V. V. Giri, who is historically associated with the Congress era, underlines how certain figures of the independence generation have been elevated above partisan framing into a broader national pantheon. The legacy of those who built India's institutions in the decades immediately after 1947 endures — one anniversary post at a time.Point of View
Not just the Hindutva strand of it. Honouring figures from across the political spectrum on their birth anniversaries is a soft but deliberate act of ideological broadening. It signals inclusivity toward the electorate while reinforcing the ruling party's claim to the mainstream of Indian patriotism. In a state like Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP holds a commanding position, such gestures cost little politically and yield symbolic dividends.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is V. V. Giri's birth anniversary?
V. V. Giri was born on 10 August 1894. His birth anniversary is observed on 10 August each year.
Why did CM Mohan Yadav pay tribute to V. V. Giri?
CM Mohan Yadav posted a tribute on X to mark V. V. Giri's birth anniversary, honouring his contributions to India's independence movement and post-independence nation-building.
What is the Bharat Ratna?
The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour, awarded for exceptional service to the nation. V. V. Giri received it in 1975.
