India educated Yadav becomes Nepal's first President

Kathmandu, Jul 21 (UNI) Nepal's newly elected first President Ram Baran Yadav was born in a middle class farmer family in Dhanusha district in eastern Terai.

Dr Yadav studied at Calcutta Medical College from where he received his MBBS degree and became a practising doctor in Nepal.

Later he acquired MD degree from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India.

Dr Yadav (61) was a well-known doctor who is very much respected in the medical sector of Nepal and became Health Minister twice.

A very close friend of Koirala family, Dr Yadav also served as the private physician to late BP Koirala.

This must be noted as an important turning point in his life, as through close association and inspiration from this eminent leader of Nepal, and involved actively in Nepali Congress politics since his student days.

During the first general election held in 1991 following the restoration of democracy, Dr Yadav was elected as the member of House of Representative.

In the recently concluded CA election too, Dr Yadav was elected as the CA member from Dhanusha constituency.

Dr Yadav is respected as a fearless leader in the party circles who is articulate and puts forth what is in his mind without any hesitation.

A staunch democrat, the President had opposed one Madhes and one state demand despite being from the Madhes and elected again from his constituency when a large number of Nepali Congress candidates were defeated in Terai.

This is the first time in the history of Nepal that a humble middle class family son has become the President. He is guided by the principles of non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi and BP Koirala.

Dr Yadav is the first Madhesi leader to be elected to such a high position from the Madhesi community.

UNI XC PD RN2246