BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

BHANDARY, SHRI RAM DEO

M.A. (Mathematics), Gold Medalist (Patna University); R.J.D. (Bihar); s. of late Shri Awadh Behari Bhandari and Shrimati Nageshwari Devi; b. at Jhanjharpur, District Madhubani (Bihar), January 5, 1940; ed. at (i) Kejriwal High School, Jhanjharpur, (ii) C.M. College, Darbhanga and (iii) Patna University; m. Shrimati Maya Devi, 1961; 3 s. and 3 d.

Teacher, Social and Political Worker; Reader and Head of the Department of Mathematics, Janta College, Jhanjharpur, affiliated to Mithila University, Darbhanga; associated with Socialist Movement since student days under the leadership of late Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and late Shri Karpoori Thakur; courted arrest on many occasions while participating in movement and agitations; jailed under D.I.R. during Emergency in 1975 in Madhubani and Muzaffarpur jails; was previously associated with Socialist Party, Samyukta Socialist Party, Lok Dal and Janata Party; President, Managing Committee, Parvati-Lakshmi Mahila Degree College, Jhanjharpur; Vice-Chairman, Notified Area Committee, Jhanjharpur, 1977-80; Deputy Chairman, Commitee on Official Language,1996-98; National General Secretary, (i) Janata Dal, 1995-97 and (ii) Rashtriya Janata Dal; Secretary, Bihar State Unit of Lok Dal, 1980; Member, (i) Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence, 1992-96, (ii) Committee on Urban and Rural Development, 1993-96, (iii) Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, 1993-95, (iv) Committee on Petitions, 1995-96, (v) Red Cross Society, Jhanjharpur, (vi) Committee on Government Assurances,1996-98, (vii) Committee on Industry,1996-97, (viii) Committee on Commerce,1996-97, (ix) Committee on Transport and Tourism and (x) Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,1992-97; Chief Whip,(i)Janata Dal, Rajya Sabha, 1996-97 and (ii) Rashtriya Janata Dal, Rajya Sabha ; elected to the Rajya Sabha in July, 1992, resigned w.e.f. June 22,1998 and re-elected in June, 1998.

Travels abroad : Nepal, U.K., China and Hong Kong.

Special interest : Welfare of down-trodden and weaker sections of the society especially Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes; work for Rural Development.

Favourite pastime and recreation : Semi-classical and light music, folk songs, classical and folk dance, watching T.V., sports and games - football, hockey, tennis, chess and love for natural scenes.

Permanent address : Village and P.O. Jhanjharpur, District Madhubani-847 404 (Bihar).