Damodaram Sanjivayya


Damodaram Sanjivayya was the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, India from 11 January 1960 to 12 March 1962. Sanjivayya was the first Dalit Chief Minister of an Indian state.

Early life

Damodaram Sanjivayya was born in a Mala family in Peddapadu village of Kallur Mandal in Kurnool district. His father died when he was in young age. He studied at the Municipal School and he took a Bachelor's degree in Law from Madras Law College. Even being a student, he actively participated in the Indian freedom movement.

Career

Damodaram Sanjivayya was Minister in the composite Madras State. He was the member of the provisional parliament 1950–52. In 1962, Sanjivayya also became the first Dalit leader from Andhra Pradesh to become All India Congress Committee president.
He was Minister of Labour and Employment under Lal Bahadur Shastry between 9 June 1964 and 23 January 1966.

Chief Minister

Sanjivayya was the first Dalit Chief Minister of an Indian state.
He wrote a book on Labour problems and industrial development in India, in 1970 published by Oxford and IBH Pub. Co., New Delhi.

Honours