H. D. Deve Gowda Biography

H. D. Deve Gowda, also known as Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda, is renowned as the “Mannina Maga” (son of the soil) and “Dodda Gowdaru” (Senior Gowda). He is a prominent politician and social activist, notable for serving as the 11th Prime Minister of India.

H. D. Deve Gowda Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography

Throughout his political career, he has been associated with various political parties, including the Indian National Congress and Janata Party. Deve Gowda has received accolades such as the Pride of India Award from the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and the Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti Award in 2018. He was born on May 18, 1933.

Early Life

H. D. Deve Gowda was born on May 18, 1933, in Haradanahalli, then part of the Kingdom of Mysore in British India, now situated in Karnataka, India. He hails from a humble background, born to Dodde Gowda, a paddy farmer, and Devamma, a homemaker. Growing up in a rural setting, he was influenced by his family’s agricultural roots and the simple lifestyle of his community.

Education

Hailing from Bengaluru, H. D. Deve Gowda pursued his education at Smt. L V Govt. Polytechnic in Hassan, where he earned a Diploma in Civil Engineering. Deeply rooted in Hinduism, his educational background in civil engineering laid the foundation for his future endeavors in politics and social activism.

Age

Born on May 18, 1933, in Haradanahalli, Kingdom of Mysore, British India (now Karnataka, India), H. D. Deve Gowda is currently 91 years old as of 2024. As a Taurus, he embodies traits of determination and practicality. Over the years, he has seen India transition from British rule to independence, marking his nationality as British Indian until 1947 and Indian thereafter. His signature style reflects his distinct persona and political legacy.

Physical Stats

H. D. Deve Gowda, standing at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall, has dark brown eyes and grey hair with a semi-bald hairstyle.

Wife and Children

H. D. Deve Gowda, married to Chennamma Deve Gowda, has a family that includes four sons and two daughters. His sons include H. D. Kumaraswamy, a prominent politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, as well as H. D. Revanna, a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Additionally, he has two other sons named H. D. Ramesh and H. D. Balakrishna Gowda, the latter being a former Karnataka Administrative Service officer turned politician. Among his daughters are H. D. Shailaja and H. D. Anusuya, both of whom are homemakers.

Family and Other Relatives

H. D. Deve Gowda family background includes his father, Dodde Gowda, who was a paddy farmer, and his mother, Devamma, who was a homemaker. He has a brother, H. D. Basave Gowda, who is also involved in farming. Additionally, his family includes his sister-in-law, Bhavani Revanna, who is a politician. Among his relatives are his two daughters-in-law: Anitha Kumaraswamy, a politician and businesswoman, and Radhika Kumaraswamy, an actress and film producer. He also has two paternal grandsons, Nikhil Gowda, who is an actor and politician, and Prajwal Revanna, who is a politician, along with Suraj Revanna, who is a politician and physician.

H. D. Deve Gowda wife Chennamma Deve Gowda

H. D. Deve Gowda Son H. D. Ramesh

H. D. Deve Gowda Son H. D. Balakrishna Gowda

H. D. Deve Gowda Son H. D. Revanna

Prime Minister

Following the 1996 general elections, with no single party securing a clear majority, the United Front formed a coalition government with Congress support. Unexpectedly, Deve Gowda was chosen to lead as the 11th Prime Minister of India, serving from June 1, 1996, to April 21, 1997. During his tenure, he chaired the Steering Committee of the United Front and played a pivotal role in key initiatives like the Delhi Metro Project’s development.

Career

H. D. Deve’s political journey began with grassroots activism, eventually leading him to become one of India’s prominent political figures. He served in various capacities within the Indian National Congress and later became a key member of the Janata Party. Rising through the ranks, he assumed significant roles, including Chief Minister of Karnataka. His career reached its pinnacle when he became the 11th Prime Minister of India, serving from 1996 to 1997. Despite a short tenure, his leadership left a lasting impact on Indian politics, shaping the trajectory of several significant policies and initiatives.

Awards, Honours

• Pride of India Award from Indo-US Chamber of Commerce (2013)
• Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti Award (2018)
• International Summit Council for Peace Medal of Honour by Universal Peace Federation (2020)
• Deve Gowda receiving the Peace Medal in Seoul
• Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Award (2023)
• Kannada Sahitya Parishat’s endowment Award (2023)
• Deve Gowda with his Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Award
• Honourary doctorate degree by the Bangalore University (2023)

Net Worth

D. Deve Gowda earns approximately Rs. 1 lakh as a Member of Parliament, along with other allowances as of March 2024. His overall income is around Rs. 10,25,450, and his net worth is estimated to be approximately Rs. 1 crore.

Some Lesser Known Facts About H. D. Deve Gowda

• H. D. Deve Gowda entered politics when he was 20 years old by joining the Indian National Congress (INC).
• As a child, Deve Gowda used to assist his father in farming before attending school.
• After completing his formal education, Gowda was selected to join the Indian Railways. However, his father did not allow him to do so as he wanted him to stay close to the family.
• He then began working as a road contractor in Karnataka.
• In his early teenage years, Gowda used to participate in the Congress-led anti-British movements.
• Before becoming a politician, Gowda used to advocate for the issues faced by the farmers in Karnataka.
• While he was in the INC, Gowda served as a member of the Anjaneya Cooperative Society of Holenarasipura as well as the Taluk Development Board of Holenarasipura.
• He left the party in 1962 after the party did not allotted a ticket to him for the Legislative Assembly elections.
• Deve Gowda was arrested by law enforcement agencies in 1975 after the Indira Gandhi-led Indian government implemented a state of emergency. He was arrested under the Maintainance of the Internal Security Act (MISA) for protesting against the central government’s decision to do so. He remained in the Bangalore Central Jail till 1977.
• To become the Prime Minister of India, he had to resign from his post as the CM of Karnataka.
• He became a member of the Rajya Sabha to continue serving as the PM as he had not been elected to the parliament.
• He is one of the few politicians in Karnataka to have been elected six times continuously to the legislative assembly.

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