Durga Prasad Dhar
Durga Prasad Dhar | |
---|---|
Ambassador to the Soviet Union | |
In office 1969–1971 | |
Preceded by | Kewal Singh |
Succeeded by | K.S. Shelvankar |
Ambassador of India to Soviet Union | |
In office 1975–1975 | |
Preceded by | K.S. Shelvankar |
Succeeded by | Inder Kumar Gujral |
Personal details | |
Born | 10 May 1918 |
Died | 12 June 1975 | (aged 57)
Nationality | Indian |
Children | Vijay Dhar |
Alma mater | University of Lucknow, University of Punjab |
Occupation | Diplomat, Ambassador of India to Soviet Union |
Durga Prasad Dhar, commonly known as D. P. Dhar (1918–1975), was a Kashmiri politician and an Indian diplomat, who is a considered a chief architect of the Indian intervention in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.[1] Dhar was a close adviser and confidant of Indira Gandhi. He served as the Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union, and as a minister in the Government of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the Government of India.
Early life and education[edit]
D. P. Dhar studied at Tyandale Biscoe School[2] He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Punjab and went on to complete his LLB from the University of Lucknow.[3]
Career[edit]
Political[edit]
Dhar joined the Quit Kashmir movement in 1946, which was led by Sheikh Abdullah against Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir. He is reported to have played a key role in assisting the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. He helped the Indian officers interact with the population and collect porters, mules and other kinds of administrative help which facilitated the soldiers' job.[4]
Dhar was subsequently appointed the Home Secretary and then the Deputy Home Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in 1948, when Sheikh Abdullah was the Prime Minister. He was a Member of the Jammu and Kashmir State Constituent Assembly from 1951 to 1957 which endorsed Kashmir's accession to India. He was also a Member of the State Assembly from 1957 to 1967, and was appointed Cabinet Minister, in-charge of various portfolios. He was later elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir in 1972. He was appointed as the Union Minister for Planning in July, 1972.[3]
Dhar was a close associate of Indira Gandhi and was instrumental in finalising the 1972 Indo-Bangladesh treaty of peace, friendship and co-operation.[5][6] He became one of the closest confidants of the Nehru-Gandhi family and also played a significant role in the 1972 Simla agreement between India and Pakistan.[7]
Diplomacy[edit]
Dhar was a member of the Indian delegation to the United Nations security council meeting in 1949 and the Indian delegation to United Nations General Assembly in the Paris Session of 1952.[3] He was the ambassador of India to the Soviet Union between 1969-1971 and then again from 1975 till his death.[8]
He negotiated the 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and was a principal architect of India's military intervention in neighbouring East Pakistan's civil war, which led to the creation of independent Bangladesh.[9][10]
The D.P. Dhar Hall at Embassy of India in Moscow is named in his honour.
Death[edit]
D.P. Dhar died of a heart attack on 12 June 1975.
Awards[edit]
In 2012, Bangladesh president Zillur Rahman conferred the Liberation War Friendship Honour (posthumous) to Durga Prasad Dhar in recognition of his pioneering role in concluding the 1971 Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty, mobilising international support in favour of Bangladesh and playing a special role in support of the Liberation War.[11] Vijay Dhar, son of D.P. Dhar received the honour on his behalf in Dhaka.[12]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Events of 23 June 1975". Time. 23 June 1975. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ↑ Hyderi, M. (14 March 2015). "Schooling excellence, Biscoe since 1880". Greater Kashmir. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chief Minister, W.A. Sangma (28 July 1975). "Proceedings of the Emergent session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly". Shillong: Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ↑ Sen, Maj Gen L. P. (1969). Slender Was the Thread: Kashmir Confrontation 1947-48. New Delhi: Orient Longman. p. 196. ISBN 0-86131-692-4. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
- ↑ Nayar, K.C. (14 September 2011). "Greater common good". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ↑ "Durga Prasad Dhar, 57 Dead; Cemented Indian Ties to Soviet". The New York Times. June 13, 1975.
- ↑ Issue 02, Vol 02 (19 March 2012). "Durga Prasad Dhar". kashimrlife.net. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ↑ "Ambassadors of India to USSR and Russia". indianembassy.ru. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ↑ untitled. Time. June 23, 1975.
- ↑ Srreenivasan, T. P. (31 December 2016). "How India, Pak came close to settle border". Deccan Herald, 2016
- ↑ Online, The Hindu (27 March 2012). "D.P. Dhar honoured in Bangladesh". The Hindu.
- ↑ Bangladesh, Sangbad Sanstha. "Bangladesh honours Indian who shaped things in 1971". bssnews.net. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- 1918 births
- 1975 deaths
- Indian diplomats
- Kashmiri people
- Ambassadors of India to the Soviet Union
- Indian National Congress politicians from Jammu and Kashmir
- State cabinet ministers of Jammu and Kashmir
- Rajya Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir
- Jammu and Kashmir MLAs 1957–1962
- Jammu and Kashmir MLAs 1962–1967