Famous Personalities of Uttar Pradesh

We are proud of being Indian and also patriotic towards the national leaders and famous personalities who have served our country over the years. Our country India has had the fortune of being the birthplace of several renowned personalities from across the various states of India. 

Known nationwide as the most populated state in our country, Uttar Pradesh has been the home of numerous famous personalities who have not only shaped our culture but have also had considerable influence in setting the political tone. Then again, many famous personalities have made it big in the film industry, some in the field of literature, and many have emerged as great talents in the realm of sports.

Let us take a look at some of the most famous personalities of Uttar Pradesh.

Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant

With a distinguished history of serving as a freedom fighter as well as being the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Govind Ballabh Pant was born on September 10, 1887. He shaped the country’s future during his reign as chief minister on account of his commitment to the Hindu Code Bill. 

Being a feminist, he raised awareness and gave Hindu women the right to divorce and inherit ancestral property. One of the key players involved in the drafting of the Constitution, he built several hospitals and educational institutions. Due to his extreme dedication to the betterment of the nation, he was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1957.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, Jawaharlal Nehru is an iconic politician and a revolutionary who served as India’s first prime minister. Popularly referred to as the architect of modern India, Nehru became a paramount leader of the nation under Gandhiji’s mentorship and shaped the country with his wonderful political outlook and futuristic thinking. 

Having contributed to various roles, ranging from an anti-colonial nationalist to a diplomat journalist, he dedicated his services to the country’s growth and advancement through his political, social, and economic approach. He strongly believed that the nation’s real strength lies in its youth and provided all-around education for children, becoming popularly known as Chacha Nehru.

Amitabh Bachchan

Born October 11, 1942, in Uttar Pradesh, Amitabh Bachchan made his debut in Indian cinema as a voice narrator in the movie Bhuvan Shome. Popular worldwide as Big B, he steadily rose to the top of the cinema industry by delivering stellar performances in his following films, Deewar and Zanjeer. 

Showcasing versatile performances throughout his career, Amitabh has acted in comedic roles as well as in dramas. Over the years, he has received a plethora of awards, such as the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, among several others.

Ismat Chughtai

Born in Budaun, she was an Urdu writer who wrote extensively on topics including femininity, female sexuality, class conflict, etc. Her writing style was that of literary realism. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976.  Some of her notable works include Lihaaf (short story), Ek Qatra Khoon (novel), Yahan se wahan tak (autobiography), etc. 

Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri served as the second prime minister after India became an independent nation. He was born on October 2, 1904, at Allahabad and became a national figure after launching inspirational campaigns like Jai Jawan and  Jai Kisan during his reign. 

He is remembered for his active participation as a freedom fighter in the Indian independence movement against British rule and his iconic role during the second Indo-Pakistan war. He was a firm believer in ahimsa (non-violence), following the guidance of Gandhiji and Nehruji.

Mirza Ghalib

His real name was Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, Mirza Ghalib was his pen name. Born in Kala Mahal, Agra, on December 27,  1797, he was a classical Urdu and Persian poet during the Mughal period as well as the British era. He mostly wrote on topics of love, mysticism and philosophy. His noteworthy works include Dewan e Ghalib, Ghalib Key Khutoot, etc. 

Pandit Ravi Shankar

Born in Varanasi, Ravi Shankar was a renowned music performer regarded as a leading figure in the sphere of music. Devoting his life to classical music, he composed, performed, and popularised the Indian classical instrument sitar all over the world. He served as the director of All India Radio and collaborated with many notable musicians in his classical journey.

Conclusion

The state of Uttar Pradesh has housed several famous personalities who have contributed to the growth of the nation. Some of them are Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Amitabh Bachhan, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Pandit Ravi Shankar, etc. The cricketer Suresh Raina is also from Uttar Pradesh. The brave Rani Lakshmibai also hailed from Uttar Pradesh. With such real-life personas being the symbol of hard work and conviction, we get inspired and instilled with the hope that success is always possible with the required efforts. 

Apart from being the birthplace of many ancient civilizations that place emphasis on literature, dance, poetry, and religion, Uttar Pradesh has also given us such personalities who deserve our approval and respect.