Narayanan, Kocheril Raman

born Oct. 27, 1920, Uzhavoor, India

President of India (1997–2002).

He was the first member of the country's lowest social caste

the group traditionally considered to be untouchable

to occupy the office. Raised in poverty, he attended the University of Travancore on a scholarship and graduated from the London School of Economics with top academic honours. In 1949 he became a diplomat, despite opposition from upper-caste officials, and was ambassador to several countries, including China and the U.S. After serving as a cabinet minister in parliament, he was named vice president in 1992 and president in 1997.

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▪ 1998

      A remarkable moment in history occurred on July 25, 1997, when Indian Vice Pres. Kocheril Raman Narayanan was sworn in as the country's 10th president and thus became the first untouchable (a member of India's lowest social caste as determined by heredity) to occupy the post. Supported by nearly all of the main political parties, Narayanan won the vote of 95% of the mainly upper-caste federal and state lawmakers and defeated former chief election commissioner T.N. Seshan in the election. The occasion held even greater significance because Narayanan's installment preceded the 50th anniversary of India's independence from Great Britain by only a few weeks. Although caste discrimination had not been completely eliminated in the intervening 50 years and had, in fact, led to recent violent eruptions, his election was viewed as a harbinger of social and political change that could lead to a more democratic India.

      Narayanan was born on Feb. 4, 1921, in the town of Uzhavoor, now in Kerala state. Although he faced difficulties as a result of his family's poverty and social status, he possessed a keen intellect and thus qualified for a government-sponsored college scholarship. After earning a B.A. in English from the University of Travancore (now the University of Kerala) and graduating with top honours, Narayanan launched a career as a journalist for the Hindu (1944-45) and the Times of India (1945). He then won a Tata scholarship to the London School of Economics. While studying abroad (1945-48), he received top academic honours and also served as a foreign correspondent for Social Welfare Weekly.

      Upon his return to India, Narayanan was aided by a letter of recommendation written by a professor, the distinguished British political scientist Harold Laski, and addressed to Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. This glowing introduction inspired Nehru to help Narayanan enter foreign service, despite opposition from upper-caste officials. During a long and distinguished career as a diplomat (1949-83), Narayanan held posts in numerous countries but was especially effective while serving (1976-78) in China, where he helped mend relations following a 15-year rift in diplomacy. He was also ambassador to the U.S. at a time (1980-83) of strained relations between the two countries. In 1979 he was named vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University. An intellectual and scholar, Narayanan was the author or coauthor of works on Indian politics and international relations, notably India and America—Essays in Understanding (1984) and Non-Alignment in Contemporary International Relations (1981).

      After 1984 Narayanan became active in politics, serving in the Lok Sabha (People's Assembly), as a Cabinet minister, and as vice president from 1992. Although his role as president was largely ceremonial, many predicted that Narayanan would have an opportunity to play a key role in forming and stabilizing the government because he had the power to appoint the prime minister when the government was made up of a coalition. During his confirmation address, he expressed concern over violence, corruption, international relations, and the disadvantaged in society, as well as emphasizing that he intended to be a president for all Indians.

AFRODITE MANTZAVRAKOS

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▪ president of India

born October 27, 1920, Uzhavoor, India

died November 9, 2005, New Delhi

      Indian politician and diplomat, who was the president of India from 1997 to 2002. He was the first member of the country's lowest social caste, the group traditionally considered to be untouchable, to occupy the office.

      Despite his family's poverty and social status, Narayanan's intellect won him a government-sponsored scholarship. After graduating from the University of Travancore (now the University of Kerala), he worked as a journalist for the Hindu (1944–45) and the Times of India (1945). He soon won another scholarship and left India to attend the London School of Economics, where he received top academic honours. While in England Narayanan also served as a foreign correspondent for Social Welfare Weekly.

      Narayanan returned to India in 1948 and soon after entered the foreign service, despite opposition from upper-caste officials. During a long and distinguished career as a diplomat (1949–83), he held posts in numerous countries but was especially effective while serving in China (1976–78), where he helped mend relations following a 15-year rift. He was also ambassador to the United States (1980–83) at a time of strained relations between the two countries. In 1979 Narayanan was named vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University. An intellectual and a scholar, Narayanan was the author or coauthor of several works on Indian politics and international relations, notably India and America: Essays in Understanding (1984) and Non-Alignment in Contemporary International Relations (1981).

      In 1984 Narayanan became active in politics. He served in parliament as a cabinet minister and in 1992 was named vice president, a post he held for five years. In 1997 he was elected president of India, winning 95 percent of the votes of mainly upper-caste lawmakers. Once in office, Narayanan expanded the role of the presidency, which had been largely ceremonial. He also sought to end violence and corruption and improve international relations. He left office in 2002, succeeded by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Abdul Kalam, A.P.J.).

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