After Dr Zakir Hussain's tenure was tragically cut short, Varahagiri Venkata Giri, who had taken over as vice-president in 1967, a period of great political turmoil, ascended the highest office of the land.

V V Giri, as he was popularly known, was born on August 10, 1894 in Berhampore in Ganjam district, then in Madras Presidency, now in Orissa.

The future President's politics were cast in the cauldron of Irish politics. At the University of Dublin, he was spellbound by the legendary Irish leaders Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins (yes, the role Liam Neeson played on screen).

After he returned to India at 20, he plunged into the trade union movement and worked closely with the legendary labour leader, N M Joshi.

He first earned national prominence as the voice of the working people in the national legislature, where he served from 1934 to 1937.

After Independence, he served as governor of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Mysore before being chosen vice-president.

March 13, 1972. President V V Giri arrives in the ceremonial procession to address Parliament. Accompanying him are Vice-President Gopal Swarup Pathak, Lok Sabha Speaker Gurdial Singh Dhillon, B N Banerjee, then the secretary-general, Rajya Sabha and S L Shakdher, then the secretary-general, Lok Sabha among others.

Also see: Poet, Visionary and Prime Minister