Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti

Every 5 April is a public holiday called “Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti” in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This is the birthday of long-time political leader Jagjivan Ram, who also had the nickname “Babuji”. In 2027, Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti falls on Monday 5 April. The holiday will be on Wednesday 5 April in 2028. Jagjivan Ram’s career in Indian politics and social causes spans four decades. He was an independence leader during the last years of British India and became Labour Minister in India’s first cabinet. He was a leader in the fight for equality for all Indians, even for the “untouchables”. And he was instrumental in getting a lot of “social justice” provisions into the Indian Constitution. Jagjivan Ram also held the important post of Defence Minister during the tense days of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. This war led to the freedom of Bangladesh from Pakistani domination. Finally, Jagjivan Ram also led the way in the upgrading or “modernising” of India’s agricultural industry during his time as Union Agriculture Minister. And he got India through the tough days of the food crisis of 1974 during his time holding that post. Many politicians and citizens pay homage to Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary. And there may also be special lessons in schools and other special events held on and around Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti.