Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai

Akhlaq Ur Rehman Kidwai (1 July 1921 – 24 August 2016) was an Indian chemist and politician. He served as Governor of the states of Bihar, West Bengal and Haryana. Also, he worked as Governor (as an additional charge) of the state of Rajasthan. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, from 1999 to 2004. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.

Early life and education He was born in 1921 in Baragaon village of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh to father, late Ashfaqur Rehman Kidwai and mother, late Nasim-un-nisa. He was married to the late Jamila Kidwai, and had six children, two sons and four daughters.

He completed his schooling at Sherwood College, Nainital, pursued BA at Jamia Millia Islamia University, 1940, M.Sc. at University of Illinois, 1948 and PhD at Cornell University, 1950.

Kidwai was a member of the Rajya Sabha from January 1999 to July 2004. He was the Governor of Haryana from 7 July 2004 to 27 July 2009. serving as Governor of the state until S. K. Singh took office on 6 September 2007.

In addition to his political career, he was a champion for promoting research and development and elevating the status of women by education and self-reliance. He served as the chairman of the Institute of Marketing and Management, New Delhi and president of Vocational Education Society for Women.

Kidwai served as a member of the following national committees, organizations and institutions:

Death He died on August 24, 2016, in New Delhi after a long illness, aged 95. He was buried at the Jamia Millia Islamia graveyard.