Akhlaq Ur Rehman Kidwai (1 July 1921 – 24 August 2016) was an Indianchemist and politician. He served asGovernor of the states ofBihar,West Bengal andHaryana. Also, he worked as Governor (as an additional charge) of the state ofRajasthan. He was a member of theRajya Sabha, the upper house of theIndian parliament, from 1999 to 2004. He was awarded thePadma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.
He was born in 1921 inBaragaon village ofBarabanki district inUttar Pradesh to father, late Ashfaqur Rehman Kidwai and mother, late Nasim-un-nisa.[1][2] He was married to the late Jamila Kidwai, and had six children, two sons and four daughters.
He completed his schooling atSherwood College, Nainital, pursued BA atJamia Millia Islamia University, 1940, M.Sc. atUniversity of Illinois, 1948 and PhD atCornell University, 1950.[2]
Dr. Kidwai started his professional career as a professor and head of Department of Chemistry and dean of Faculty of Science atAligarh Muslim University, India. Kidwai then went on to become the chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC),Government of India from 1974 to 1977. He wasGovernor of Bihar twice, from 1979 to 1985 and 1993 to 1998 and Governor ofWest Bengal from 1998 to 1999.[1][2]
In addition, he was chancellor ofAligarh Muslim University,Aligarh, from 1983 to 1991[2] and was also the director of theJammu & Kashmir Bank.[3]
Kidwai was a member of theRajya Sabha from January 1999 to July 2004. He was the Governor of Haryana from 7 July 2004 to 27 July 2009.[1] AfterPratibha Patil's resignation asGovernor of Rajasthan in June 2007, he was asked to take over that position as well,[4] serving as Governor of the state untilS. K. Singh took office on 6 September 2007.[5]
In addition to his political career, he was a champion for promoting research and development and elevating the status of women by education and self-reliance. He served as the chairman of the Institute of Marketing and Management, New Delhi and president of Vocational Education Society for Women.[citation needed]
Kidwai served as a member of the following national committees, organizations and institutions:[1]
On January 25, 2011, Kidwai was awarded thePadma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.[3] The award was for his contribution towardsPublic Affairs.[6]
He died on August 24, 2016, inNew Delhi after a long illness, aged 95.[7] He was buried at the Jamia Millia Islamia graveyard.
| Preceded by - | Union Deputy Minister, Railways 1974 – 1976 | Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - | Union Deputy Minister, Commerce 1976 – 1977 | Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Justice K.B.N. Singh (acting) | Governor of Bihar 1979 – 1985 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Bihar 1993 – 1998 | Succeeded by |
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| National | |
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