Former Governor A R Kidwai dies

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) Former Governor of Bihar and WestBengal A R Kidwai died today after brief illness at a cityhospital. He was 96. Kidwai is survived by two sons and four daughters. Hisfuneral will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Jamia BurialGrounds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourning his death, tweeted,"My condolences on the passing away of Dr AR Kidwai. His longcareer in public life included many roles & responsibilities." "Dr AR Kidwai distinguished himself in the fields ofeducation and social welfare. May his soul rest in peace," hesaid. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi expressing hiscondolences, tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the passing away ofDr AR Kidwai former Gov of Bihar, Bengal & Haryana. A scholar& a humanist his loss will be deeply mourned." Born in 1920, Akhlaq ur Rahman Kidwai served as Governorof several states for a record period of 17 years — in Bihar(twice), West Bengal and Haryana, in addition to holdingtemporary charge of Governor of Punjab and of Rajasthan andAdministrator of Delhi and of Chandigarh. Besides, being a member of the Rajya Sabha from2000-2004, he also served as the Chairman of Union PublicService Commission (UPSC) from 1974-78. He had taken activepart in the ‘1942 Quit India’ movement. On January 25, 2011 Kidwai was awarded the PadmaVibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian award for hisoutstanding contribution towards public affairs. Kidwai received an MS degree in Organic Chemistry withBiochemistry from the University of lllinois and completed hisPhD from Cornell University in 1950. He was a distinguished scientist and a researcher in thefield of organic chemistry. A renowned educationist, he was also member and patron ofthe Delhi Public School Society and president of the SouthDelhi Women’s Polytechnic. He had also served as the chancellor of the AligarhMuslim University. PTI KND SPG ACB RGRG