George Fernandes, Former Defence Minister dead at 88

George Fernandes, who, was a former Indian trade unionist, politician, journalist, agriculturist, and member of Rajya Sabha, passed away today morning. He was a key member of the Janata Dal and is the founder of the Samata Party. He has held several ministerial portfolios including communications, industry, railways, and defence.

George Fernandes died at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. He had been bedridden for the past few years.

He was born in Mangalore in Karnataka in 1930. An anti-Emergency crusader, George Fernandes was a fiery socialist and arch-enemy of Indira Gandhi.

George Fernandes was a minister in the first non-Congress govt after Janata Party’s defeat of Indira Gandhi.

He was appointed Union Minister for Industries in the Morarji Desai government  from 1977 to 1979. During his term, George Fernandes took on American multinational companies like IBM and Coca-Cola, making them leave the country.

He served several times as a Union Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios such as communications, industry, and railways, besides defence. George Fernandes was a parliamentarian last as a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his Twitter, “George Sahab represented the best of India’s political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace.”

  The sources say that his final ritual will take place when his son will come back to India. His son who is living in New York, is expected back in a day or 2 days.

from topstories – Tollywood http://bit.ly/2HEOgly