130. NAWAB MEHDI NAWAZ JUNG

Shri Mehdi Nawaz Jung
Governor of Gujarat
[From:- 01-05-1960 to 31-07-1965]

Nawab Mehdi Nawaz Jung born on the 23^rd May, 1894 in Hyderabad. He was a selfless, an able politician, an exemplary Assembly member and a Social Worker, who had worked untiringly for the development of the Hyderabad state. In recognition of his remarkable services, he was bestowed with the title "Nawab" by the Nizam, in the year 1937. He is well known for his humanitarian and nationalist ideas.

He was elected as a member to the legislative assembly in the 1^st general elections after independence and worked as the Minister for Public Works, Electricity and Water Supply under Sri. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao. He later worked under Sri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy as the Medical & Health Minister in 1956. He established the MNJ cancer hospital & Radium Institute, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, late sri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 8^th December 1955. After assuming office as the first Governor of Gujarat State in 1960, he established the Gujarat Cancer Society on similar lines and started Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute. He had always relentlessly toiled to crusade for the poor cancer patients.

Nawab Mehdi Nawaz Jung was awarded with a Gold medal for all his humanitarian services by the Reverend Pope John Paul. He died on 27-06-1967, but all his good work continues at the MNJ Institute of Oncology & Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad, championing the cause of underprivileged cancer patients.

Started his life as a Public Servant in the year 1915-16 in the H.E.H. Nizam serive. Deputed for training at Bellari. Met Gandhji at Adony in 1916. Worked in various capacities as Treasury officer, Local Fund Secretary, Assistant Collector, Divisional Officer, Revenue Department, Divisional Magistrate, Divisional Munshif, Famine Officer in 1919-20. In 1921, Shri Mehdi Nawaz Jung entered the Co-operative department and had contact with Shri V.L. Mehta, the great pioneer of the Co-operative movement in India. Worked as Private Secretary to Maharaja Sir Kishan Parshad, the President of the Ministry of H.E.H. the Nizam in 1926. Worked on the post for about 11 years, went abroad twice before 1937. On his return from abroad, he was appointed as Municipal Commissioner of Hyderabad where he served from 1937 to 1944. Then he worked as Codification Officer for codifying municipal code during the year 1948-49. He was appointed as Agent of the Hyderabad State at Nagpur, Hyderabad State having a claim over the Berar Province at the time. Took leading role in the establishment of Hyderabad Co-operative Commerce Association while he was Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department to the Government of Hyderabad. Was President of Hyderabad State Scouts and Guides Association when Hyderabad was a princely State. After the merger of Hyderabad with the Indian Union he was Vice- President of the Association. Had keen interest in social work and public health activities. Took leading part in establishment of Hyderabad Nileufer and Cancer hospital and Radium Institute at Hyderabad. Nileufer hospital costing about Rs. 30 laks was established by the earnest efforts of Shri Mehdi Nawab Jung. Similarly, he raised funds for the Radium Institute and the Cancer hospital. The Salar Jung Museum having very rare exhibits and collections was organized by him and heis responsible to have the Museum handed over to the Central Government, which has decided to maintain it as a National property, after constructing a building therefore at an estimated cost of about Rs. 35 laks, to house this Museum. Shri Jung was the President of the Salar Jung Museum Committee. After retirement from service in 1949, Shri Mehdi Nawaz Jung continued his pet activities of social work and co-operative movement. To get more congenial atmosphere in his work, he was persuaded to join Indian National Congress which he did. He contested a general election in 1952 from the Hyderabad constituency and won the election with a very big majority. From the year 1952 to January, 1960, Shri Mehdi Nawaj Jung was a Minister in the former Hyderabad State and then in Andhra Pradesh Government, holding various portfolios such as Public Works Department, Roads & Buildings Department, Irrigation & Power, etc.