Bhagwat Jha Azad was chief minister of Bihar in India and a member of Lok Sabha. He was chief minister from 14 February 1988 to 10 March 1989. He was freedom fighter and lifelong politician from Indian National Congress. He was father of Kirti Azad, a former Lok Sabha member of and a former cricketer. He represented Bhagalpur in the Lok Sabha for six terms. He was elected to the third Lok Sabha and then to the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth Lok Sabha. He also served as a Union minister of state from 1967 to 1983 in the ministries of agriculture, education, labour and employment, supply and rehabilitation, civil aviation and food and civil supplies. Azad was born at Kasba village at Mehrama in Godda district of undivided Bihar and now in Jharkhand on 28 November 1922. He completed his education from TNB Collegiate School and TNB College, Bhagalpur and Patna University. He worked with Khurshid Alam in Kahalgoan Bihar. Azad took active part in the Quit India movement in 1942 and was hit with a bullet in his leg. He was arrested several times by British. He died in 2011.
Early life
SHRI BHAGWAT JHA AZAD was born at Kasba Village, post Mehrama District Godda. He did B.A., M.A., B.L. from T.N.J. Collegiate School and T.N.J. College, Bhagalpur and Patna University. His father's name was late Pandit Jarab Lal Jha. He was born on 28 November 1922. He got married with Smt. Indira Jha Azad in May 1947. He has 3 sons. He was an Agriculturist as well as a Social Worker. He has worked as Union Minister of State for various portfolios. Details are as under Education - March, 1967 - February, 1969 Labour, Employment & Rehabilitation - February 1969 - March 1971 Supply and Rehabilitation - 19 October 1980 13 January 1982 Labour - 14, 1982 - 1 September 1982 Civil Aviation and Civil Supplies - 2 September 1982 14 February 1983 Food and Civil Supplies — 15 February 1983—31 December 1984 He was an active member of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee from 1950 to 1951. He was a Secretary of Students Department and Economics Department, 1950; President, Bihar Provincial Students Congress, 1950; Member, All India Congress Committee since 1952, Special Invitee, Working Committee, All India Congress Committee; was Secretary to the Congress President, Smt. Indira Gandhi in 1959; Member, First Lok Sabha, 1952–57, Third Lok Sabha, 1962–67, Fourth Lok Sabha, 1967–70, Fifth Lok Sabha, 1971-77. Seventh Lok Sabha, 1980–84; Chairman, Committee on Estimates, 1976–77; Attended the 178th and 181st Sessions of the Governing Body of ILO held at Geneva from 23 February to 6 March 1970 and from 16 November to 20 November 1970 respectively; Leader, Indian Delegation to the 54th Session of the International Labour Conference held at Geneva from 3 June to 25 June 1970, 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the Mongolian Revolution at Ulan Bator from 9 July to 14 July 1981, International Labour Conference held at Geneva from 30 May to 12 June 1982; Member, Indian Parliamentary Delegation to Turkey, Yugoslavia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Switzerland and several Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences; Member, Indian Delegation to the United Nations.
Social activities
Participation in Student, Youth and Kisan Movements and Education. Favourite pastime and recreation: Gardening, Poetry, Music, Dance and Drama. Sports: Volleyball, Cricket and Badminton.
