Krishan Kant

Krishan Kant (28 February 1927 – 27 July 2002) was an Indian politician who served as the vice president of India from 1997 until his death in 2002.

[2] After independence, he studied chemical engineering[1] and briefly worked as a scientist with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, before turning to politics.

Kant was born on 28 February 1927[4] in Kot Mohammad Khan, Amritsar district, Punjab province[2] to independence activists, Lala Achint Ram and Satyavati Devi.

[6] Post-independence, Lala Achint Ram was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and represented Hisar and Patiala in the Lok Sabha.

[2] In 1966, Kant was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, representing the state of Haryana.

[7] Despite belonging to her Congress party, he opposed Indira Gandhi's decision to impose the Emergency,[1][7] supported opposition leader Jayaprakash Narayan and his anti-corruption campaign.

In 1997, Kant was jointly selected as the candidate for the vice presidential election by Indian National Congress and United Front.

[13] He defeated former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala to become India's tenth vice president.

[1] On 27 July 2002, Kant was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi and was declared dead after an hour, after suffering a heart attack.

[17] Prime minister Vajpayee noted Kant's contribution to the independence movement and his opposition to the Emergency and termed his death the "end of an era".

[18] Kant was cremated in a state funeral at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi, on the banks of Yamuna river on 28 July 2002.

The President of India, Shankar Dayal Sharma being received by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Krishan Kant, at Renigunta airport
Swearing-in-Ceremony of the Vice President of India, Shri Krishan Kant at the Ashok Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan
A 2005 India Post stamp featuring Kant