Morarji Desai, born on February 29, 1896, was a freedom fighter, who was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, and spent several years in jail for his involvement
Desai became the oldest Prime Minister of India at 81 when he took office in 1977, serving until 1979 as the leader of the Janata Party government
Initially expected to become Prime Minister in 1966, Desai was surpassed by Indira Gandhi. He later served as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister before resigning in 1969
During the Navnirman Andolan in the early 1970s, Desai supported the socio-political movement in Gujarat by going on an indefinite hunger strike to protest against economic crisis and corruption
He made history as India's first non-Congress Prime Minister in 1977, following a significant victory of the Janata alliance over Congress, amid controversies surrounding Indira Gandhi
Desai played a pivotal role in restoring friendly relations with neighboring countries Pakistan and China, emphasizing peace over conflict
He was honored with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, recognizing his contributions to the nation
In 1990, Pakistan awarded Desai its highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, marking a significant gesture of peace between the two nations
Desai's leadership and commitment to the common people's cause have left a lasting impact on India's political landscape
As a freedom activist and seasoned politician, Desai's life and career exemplify dedication to public service and the pursuit of peace and harmony at both national and international levels