Mamata pays homage to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday paid homage to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary.

"Homage to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary," Ms Banerjee posted on her social networking page.

Born on April 5, 1908, Babu Jagjivan Ram, known popularly as Babuji was a prominent Dalit leader, freedom fighter and national leader who fought for the uplift of the downtrodden.

He served as a cabinet minister for 35 years and held several key portfolios, bringing about path-breaking reforms.

As Food and Agriculture Minister, Babuji is credited for the Green Revolution and as Defence Minister, he led the country to victory in the historic 1971 war against Pakistan which saw the birth of Bangladesh.

He remained a member of Parliament till his death in 1986, after over forty years as a parliamentarian.