H. Y. Sharada Prasad | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1924-04-15)15 April 1924 |
| Died | 2 September 2008(2008-09-02) (aged 84) New Delhi, India |
| Resting place | Dayanand Muktidham Crematorium, Delhi |
| Occupation(s) | Civil servant Writer Journalist |
| Known for | Association withIndira Gandhi |
| Parent(s) | Holenarasipura Yoganarasimham Saraswathy |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan |
| Website | H Y Sharada Prasad |
Holenarasipur Yoganarasimham Sharada Prasad (15 April 1924 – 2 September 2008) was an Indian civil servant, journalist and writer, best known as the media adviser toIndira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.[1] He also served as the media adviser to Rajiv Gandhi, during Rajiv's tenure as the Indian Prime Minister.[2]
Born inBangalore on 15 April 1924, he was given the personal name "Sharada Prasad" by his parents.[3] His family hailed from the town ofHolenarasipura inHassan district of present-day Karnataka state, and his father's name was Yoganarasimham. Therefore, according to the naming convention prevalent in Karnataka, his full name became "Holenarasipura Yoganarasimham Sharada Prasad" or "H.Y. Sharada Prasad."
Sharada Prasad was born into an educated south IndianMulukanadu Brahmin family whose mother-tongue isTelugu but Kannadigas in true sense and have been settled inHolenarasipura in theKingdom of Mysore for at least a couple of centuries. His father, Holenarasipura Yoganarasimham, was a school master, while his mother Saraswathy, was a home-maker. Sharada Prasad was the eldest of their nine children.[4] Among his brothers was the noted botanist, the late ProfessorH.Y. Mohan Ram, who was the father ofIndian Ocean'sRahul Ram.[5]
Sharada Prasad was educated mainly in Bangalore. He then started his career as a journalist at theIndian Express Group and later joined the Publications Division of the Government of India as an assistant editor. Later, he served as the editor ofYojana, the official journal of thePlanning Commission of India. His stint as the editor of the journal was reported to have brought him to Indira Gandhi's notice, and she invited him to join her staff as the media adviser.[2]
During his tenure with Indira Gandhi, Sharada Prasad was known to have assisted in the establishment of two notable institutions, theIndian Institute of Mass Communication and theNational Institute of Design.[6] The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of thePadma Bhushan, in 1999, for his contributions to society.[7]
Sharada Prasad died, aged 84, on 2 September 2008, due to age-related illnesses, survived by his wife and two sons.[2] His life has been documented in his memoirs,A Window on the Wall[8] and a series of newspaper articles under the title,The Book I Won't Be Writing.[6]
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