When Indira Gandhi chastised a Congress leader

HE IS articulate but calls a spade a spade. Plain-spoken, as he is, he has impressed many. He is a renowned and successful lawyer. He was offered judgeship of the High Court four times but he modestly refused to accept it. He was elected Member of Parliament from Etawah Lok Sabha constituency in 1971 and made his presence felt in the highest Legislative House of the country.

HE IS articulate but calls a spade a spade. Plain-spoken, as he is, he has impressed many. He is a renowned and successful lawyer. He was offered judgeship of the High Court four times but he modestly refused to accept it. He was elected Member of Parliament from Etawah Lok Sabha constituency in 1971 and made his presence felt in the highest Legislative House of the country.

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Shri Shanker Tewari was born in a Zamindar family of Etawah in 1924. His father Chaudhary Nawab Singh Tiwari (Zamindars used Chaudhary and Singh as titles) was a reputed person and commanded great respect not only in his Satuara village (under Ekdil tehsil) but also in many adjoining areas.

Tewari came to Allahabad to get higher education from Allahabad University but he liked Allahabad so much so that he settled here and started legal practice under renowned advocate Late PC Chaturvedi. Though he was a student of arts, he has good knowledge of anatomy, medicines and arms and weapons and their effects. This valuable knowledge helped him argue his cases strongly. In many famous cases he was not only engaged in Allahabad, but also in other districts of Uttar Pradesh and adjoining States. His residence, 17 Clive Road, has also remained a centre of attraction for several reasons. Earlier, Harivansh Rai Bachchan used to live in this sprawling bungalow during noted cine star Amitabh Bachchan's childhood. Secondly, Tewari hosted a number of dinners and functions during his presidentship of the Prayag Sangeet Samiti. Many reputed artistes, personalities and authorities used to be his guest at this bungalow.

He has over 400 varieties of chrysanthemum, perhaps the largest number in the State. Besides, a number of roses and other flowers are also found in his garden, which is being looked after by four gardeners. Many vegetables and fruits are also grown by him. However, for the superb gardening, Tewari gives the credit to his wife Indumati Tewari, former principal of Normal School.

The former MP is also an animal-lover and earlier, he used to have 5-6 German Shepherd dogs. He has many Jersy cows and produces 20-25 litres of milk daily. But, he doesn't sell the milk or its products and instead loves to share it with his guests and staff. He has written his reminiscences in 'Yadon ke Jharokhe', of which three volumes have been printed and two more volumes are due soon.

The excerpts from the interview:

During my studies at Allahabad University, I was an inmate of Sir Sundarlal Hostel. This hostel was quite reputed and only meritorious students were allowed to live in this hostel. Some bright sportsmen and those belonging to affluent families were also given accommodation in this hostel. Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna formed Problem Club in 1944. Only select students used to be members of the club. I too was it's member.

The club organised an essay competition between HN Bahuguna (B.Sc-I) and another bright students Harihar Saran, who was MA (final) student. The topic of the essay was 'Problem of world peace'.

Dr Beni Prasad, the then Head of the Political Science Department was invited as the chief guest on the occasion. Bahuguna secured the first position in the competition and Harihar Saran himself congratulated Bahugunaji with the words 'Bhai tumne to sabko beat kar diya'. It was remarkable that Bahuguna won the competition despite being a science student (B.Sc-I) while Saran was a student of Political Science.

Due to his participation in freedom movement Bahugunaji was arrested and was lodged in jail for some time. After his release in 1945 he went to then Vice-Chancellor Prof Amarnath Jha and urged him to allow his admission in BA. He apprehended that his division would be affected if he continued with B.Sc as he could not properly study in jail. Though the VC was not empowered to do so, he was so impressed with Bahuguna that he managed this permission for him through the AU Executive Council.

I can never forget the brilliance and political acumen of the Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. After the emergency period the Parliamentary election was about to take place and a public meeting was organised at the KP College ground here.

Indira Gandhi came to the city by road and she was occupying front seat of my jeep. I was myself driving. Since she addressed many other meetings in the route, she got quite late and the meeting was postponed. She stayed at the Circuit house here.

One prominent Congress leader who wanted to contest the LS poll from Phulpur constituency had managed a crowd of 50-60 persons from Phulpur. Even at about 1.30 in the night the Congress leader requested Indira to address them.

She addressed them and sought their views on some issues. During this meeting the people from Phulpur started clamouring that the particular leader be fielded from their area.

Indira understood the trick of the leader and warned him "never enter my residence in Delhi in future. I have understood your gimmick'.