Venkataraman, Ramaswami (1910-2009), an Indian politician, served as president of India from 1987 to 1992. Before becoming president, he served as vice president from 1984 to 1987. As well as being a politician, Venkataraman was a barrister (lawyer who argues cases in higher courts) in Madras (now Chennai).
Venkataraman was born on Dec. 4, 1910, in Thanjavur province, Tamil Nadu. He was educated at Madras University. As a young man, he was a devoted supporter of the Congress Party. The British imprisoned him from 1942 to 1944 for his involvement in the Quit India Movement. After India became independent from British rule, Venkataraman served in the provisional parliament in 1950 and twice won a seat in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, in 1952 and 1977, respectively. He was also minister of industry and labor in the government of Madras state (now called Tamil Nadu). He was India’s finance minister from 1980 to 1982 and defense minister from 1982 to 1984.
In May 1992, Venkataraman visited China. It was the first official visit by an Indian president to the People’s Republic of China. Venkataraman died on Jan. 27, 2009.
