Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, the fifth President of India was a multifarious personality and had keen interest in music, fine arts, poetry and sports. Born on 13th May 1905 at Hauz Qazi area of Old Delhi, Fakhruddin did his schooling from the Delhi Government High School and went to England to pursue higher studies in 1913. There he joined the Cambridge University. In 1925, while he was in London, he met Jawaharlal Nehru who impressed upon him with his progressive ideas.
After returning from England to India in 1928, he started his career as a lawyer in the Lahore High Court.
In 1931 he became a primary member of the Congress Party and became an active participant in the struggle for India's independence. In 1942, he was arrested for participating in the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned for three and a half years.
He was a member of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and elected to the Assam Assembly. In 1971, he was elected to the Lok Sabha. He held many portfolios including Education, Food and Agriculture, Industrial Development and Company Laws.
On 20 August, 1974 he was elected as the fifth President of India. He held office till 11 February 1977 until his demise.
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