{{Short description|Indian politician (1923–1985)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2024}} {{AI-generated|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Shyam Sundar Shyam | image = File:Shyam rajput shayam INC.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 1985 | office1 = Deputy Speaker of [[Vindhya Pradesh]] | term_start1 = 1952 | term_end1 = 1957 | predecessor1 = Office established | successor1 = Office dissolved | office2 = Member of the [[Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] | constituency2 = [[Datia Assembly constituency|Datia]] | term_start2 = 1977 | term_end2 = 1985 | predecessor2 = Gulab Chand Kanoolal | successor2 = [[Rajendra Bharti]] | term_start3 = 1967 | term_end3 = 1972 | predecessor3 = Pandit Surya Deo Sharma | successor3 = Gulab Chand Kanoolal | term_start4 = 1957 | term_end4 = 1962 | predecessor4 = Constituency established | successor4 = Pandit Surya Deo Sharma | birth_date = 7 December 1923 | birth_place = [[Datia]], [[Bundelkhand Agency]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]) | death_date = 2 February 1985<br>(aged 61) | death_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]] | party = [[Indian National Congress]] | spouse = Savitri Shyam (m. 1941) | children = 9 (including [[Rajendra Bharti]]) | parents = Murlidhar (father)<br />Brij Rani (mother) | alma_mater = [[Agra University]]([[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]])<br />([[L.L.B]]) | occupation = [[Activist]], [[Lawyer]], [[Politician]] }}
'''Shyam Sundar Shyam''' (7 December 1923 – 2 February 1985) was a prominent leader of the [[Indian National Congress]] and a significant political figure of [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Vindhya Pradesh]]. He is notably recognized as the first [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) from [[Datia Assembly constituency|Datia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-02 |title=MP: क्या दतिया में वापसी कर पाएगी कांग्रेस? |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/madhya-pradesh/story/madhya-pradesh-assembly-election-datia-seat-bjp-congress-563051-2018-09-02 |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=आज तक |language=hi}}</ref>
== Personal life == Shyam Sundar Shyam was born in [[Datia]] [[Madhya Pradesh]]. He started his career in [[politics]] with [[Indian National Congress]] He then filed several elections of the Vidhan Sabha of Datia and became the first elected [[Member of Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) from Datia. After Shyam Sundar Shyam's death on February 2, 1985, his son [[Rajendra Bharti]] contested the election from [[Datia]] and won.[https://mpvidhansabha.nic.in/11thvs/11-23.pdf]<ref>{{Cite web |title=MP चुनाव :दतिया विधानसभा सीट पर है BJP का कब्जा, क्या होगी कांग्रेस की वापसी |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/madhya-pradesh-chhattisgarh/mp-election-datia-vidhansabha/461883 |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Zee News |language=hi}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Shyam Sundar Shyam was born into a family with a strong educational background. His grandfather, Mathura Prasad, was a businessman under [[British Raj|British rule]]. His father, Shri Murlidhar, was a well-known geography teacher at Lord Reading High School in Datia and mother Brijrani was a housewife. Shyam Sundar Shyam married Savitri Shyam in 1941, and together they had nine children. Shyam's academic journey began at home, followed by education at the Hindi Middle School in [[Allahabad]] and high school in [[Datia]], where he graduated in 1940. He pursued higher studies at Government Inter College, [[Jhansi]] (1942), and later completed his [[B.A.]] and [[LL.B.]] from [[Agra University]]. In 1955, he served as a teacher in [[Datia State|Datia]] High School before being promoted to Deputy Education Inspector.
A multi-faceted personality, Shyam Sundar Shyam excelled in various fields during his student life, including [[literature]], [[music]], [[field hockey|hockey]] and [[public service]]. His involvement in the 1942 national movement led to his arrest, marking the beginning of his lifelong commitment to public service. At the time of arrest of [[Indira Gandhi]] in 1978 he was arrested again, this time alongside his son [[Rajendra Bharti]], who later became an MLA from [[Datia]].<ref>{{Cite web| title=जडेल, ी बाबू - इंिडयन नेशनल कांेस | language=hi | trans-title=Jadel, Shri Babu - Indian National Congress | url=https://mpvidhansabha.nic.in/mlaprofilevsxvi100325.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310100826/https://mpvidhansabha.nic.in/mlaprofilevsxvi100325.pdf | archive-date=2025-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/yourturn/subscriberwrites-seasoned-politician-shyam-sunder-shyam-a-legacy-of-service-and-commitment-to-democracy/2221356/ | title=SubscriberWrites: Seasoned politician Shyam Sunder Shyam: A legacy of service and commitment to democracy | website=[[ThePrint]] | date=13 August 2024 }}</ref>
== Political career == Shyam Sundar Shyam was an active participant in the [[Quit India Movement]], a significant part of India's struggle for independence from [[British Raj|British rule]]. While employed in a government job in [[Datia district|Datia]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], Shyam Sundar joined the movement and, along with Narayan Khare, went underground for 34 days to evade [[British authorities]]. During this time, Shyam Sundar traveled from village to village, spreading [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s message of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience. His dedication to the cause played a crucial role in mobilizing support for the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942, contributing to the broader effort to end [[British colonial rule]] in [[India]]. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Siddiqui |first=A. U. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Ps1_lvyBxMC |title=Indian Freedom Movement in Princely States of Vindhya Pradesh |date=2004 |publisher=Northern Book Centre |isbn=978-81-7211-150-2 |language=en}}</ref>
Shyam Sundar Shyam first contested an election in 1952 and won consecutively, serving as an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] from 1952 to 1957 and then again from 1957 to 1962. He later served three more terms from 1967 to 1972, 1977 to 1980 and from 1980 to 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |title=दतिया: कांग्रेस-बीजेपी की लड़ाई में बसपा की एंट्री से मुकाबला त्रिकोणीय हुआ |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/madhya-pradesh-chhattisgarh/madhya-pradesh-assembly-elections-2018-equal-fight-between-congress-bjp-and-bsp-on-datia/469968 |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Zee News |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-03 |title=MP Election 2023- ऐसे भाषण दिए कि पस्त पड़ गए विरोधी, वोटर्स ने निर्दलीय को जिताया {{!}} MP Election 2023- Suryadev Sharma defeated Shyam Sundar of Congress |url=https://www.patrika.com/datia-news/mp-election-2023-suryadev-sharma-defeated-shyam-sundar-of-congress-8571344 |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Patrika News |language=hi}}</ref>[https://ceomadhyapradesh.nic.in/History%20web/OldElectionResults/1980.pdf] He was also the vice president of the [[Vindhya Pradesh]] Vidhan Sabha, with the first meeting held on April 21, 1952,<ref>{{Cite web |title=MP Legislative Assembly |url=https://mpvidhansabha.nic.in/history.htm |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=mpvidhansabha.nic.in}}</ref> and held various key positions, including membership in the Bundelkhand Congress Committee, the V.P.C.C. Executive, and as an observer for the [[Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee]] during the 1962 elections and in 1969-70 also chosen as the leader of pragati-sheel dal.
Elected to the Vidhan Sabha in 1952, Shyam Sundar Shyam served as [[Deputy Speaker]] of the [[Vindhya Pradesh]] Assembly. He chaired several important committees, including the [[Public Accounts Committee]], the Estimates Committee and the [[Committee of Privileges]]. His tenure saw significant contributions to legislative procedures and governance, earning him respect and admiration across the political spectrum. His other notable roles included being a member of the Rajya Praja Mandal (1942-43), the Bundelkhand Congress Committee (1948-49) and serving as the first administrator of [[Datia Assembly constituency|Datia]]. Additionally, he was a political advisor to the prime minister of Vindhya Pradesh in 1948-49 and being a pioneer for bringing the Rajghat Project in 1977 to benefit the folk of [[Datia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/yourturn/subscriberwrites-seasoned-politician-shyam-sunder-shyam-a-legacy-of-service-and-commitment-to-democracy/2221356/ | title=SubscriberWrites: Seasoned politician Shyam Sunder Shyam: A legacy of service and commitment to democracy | website=[[ThePrint]] | date=13 August 2024 }}</ref>
== Progressive politics== Shyam Sundar was elected as the chairman of the Progressive Legislative Group in the [[Madhya Pradesh]] Vidhan Sabha for the session 1969-70. In this role, he championed the cause of [[social justice]], economic upliftment and the progress of suppressed communities. His leadership was marked by a strong stance against [[feudalism]], reflecting his commitment to [[democracy]], [[socialism]] and [[secularism]]. He once stated, "We are committed to the cause of democracy, socialism and secularism. Our primary duty is to eradicate feudalism." The late 1960s were a period of significant political realignment in India, marked by the emergence of the Progressive Vidhayak Dal (PVD). Under Shyam Sundar's leadership, the PVD was established as a counterforce to [[Vijaya Raje Scindia|Rajmata Scindia's]] faction, advocating for democracy, socialism and secularism. The PVD was a diverse coalition, comprising legislators from various backgrounds, including defectors from the [[Rajmata]] group and the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh|Jana Sangh]]. This diversity reflected the PVD's broader appeal and its commitment to progressive political change. Shyam Sundar's leadership within the PVD was instrumental in opposing feudalism and promoting [[social justice]] and economic upliftment for the people of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. His dedication to these causes was evident in his political career, particularly during the 1977 Vidhan Sabha elections, a time when the [[Janata Party|Janta Party]] was on the rise. Despite the political wave, Shyam Sundar's unwavering commitment to his constituents led to his election to the [[Vidhan Sabha]] four times, consistently securing the trust and support of the people.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/yourturn/subscriberwrites-shyam-sundar-shyam-a-political-luminary-of-madhya-pradesh/2255703/ | title=SubscriberWrites: Shyam Sundar Shyam: A political luminary of Madhya Pradesh | website=[[ThePrint]] | date=6 September 2024 }}</ref>
==Literary contributions== An accomplished writer, Shyam Sundar Shyam penned articles and poems in [[Hindi]], [[Sanskrit]] and English. He edited the Hindi weekly "Desh-Ke-Yuvak" and was actively involved in the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Executive. His contributions extended to the cooperative sector, where he served as secretary and held the presidency of the Jila Bhumi Vikas Bank and was a member of the Jila Sahkari Bank in [[Datia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/yourturn/subscriberwrites-seasoned-politician-shyam-sunder-shyam-a-legacy-of-service-and-commitment-to-democracy/2221356/ | title=SubscriberWrites: Seasoned politician Shyam Sunder Shyam: A legacy of service and commitment to democracy | website=[[ThePrint]] | date=13 August 2024 }}</ref>
==Contributions to journalism and media== Beyond his political endeavours, Shyam Sundar had a significant and impactful career in [[journalism]] and media. He contributed extensively as a journalist for the Indian News Chronicle and Janasatta, where his articles and news reviews were regularly published. Journalism was not just a profession for Shyam Sundar; it was a vital means through which he communicated important issues to the public, helping to shape public opinion and inform society.
His commitment to [[journalism]] extended further when he became one of the founders of the People's Press of India, a news agency established in the late 1940s. Shyam Sundar recognized the critical role that the press plays in shaping public opinion and holding leaders accountable. His journalistic efforts were not merely about reporting the news but were also integral to his political strategy. The media platform he helped create enabled him to popularize the political initiatives and actions he believed in, thereby reinforcing his influence in both [[journalism]] and [[politics]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/yourturn/subscriberwrites-shyam-sundar-shyam-a-political-luminary-of-madhya-pradesh/2255703/ | title=SubscriberWrites: Shyam Sundar Shyam: A political luminary of Madhya Pradesh | website=[[ThePrint]] | date=6 September 2024 }}</ref>
==Legacy== Shyam Sundar Shyam's legacy is one of unwavering commitment to [[democracy]], [[social justice]] and [[public service]]. His relentless efforts to champion the rights of the poor and marginalised left an indelible mark on the political landscape of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. A staunch supporter of [[Indira Gandhi]], he played a crucial role in her political campaigns, even facing arrest for his [[activism]].
Shyam Sundar Shyam's life was a testament to his dedication to the principles of [[democracy]], [[Secularism in India|secularism]] and [[socialism]]. His death in 1985 marked the end of an era, but his contributions continue to inspire future generations of leaders committed to the betterment of society. His legacy is carried forward by his elder son, [[Rajendra Bharti]], who has served three terms as the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] of [[Datia]]. His younger son, Ravi Chaurasia was the member of the [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]] and a former member of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Board. His daughter-in-law, Savita Bajpai, was a minister of [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/yourturn/subscriberwrites-seasoned-politician-shyam-sunder-shyam-a-legacy-of-service-and-commitment-to-democracy/2221356/ | title=SubscriberWrites: Seasoned politician Shyam Sunder Shyam: A legacy of service and commitment to democracy | website=[[ThePrint]] | date=13 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Statistical report on general election, 1977 to the legislative assembly of Madhya Pradesh | url=https://ceomadhyapradesh.nic.in/History%20web/OldElectionResults/1977.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822001842/http://ceomadhyapradesh.nic.in/History%20web/OldElectionResults/1977.pdf | archive-date=2013-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aajtak.in/madhya-pradesh/story/ex-mp-minister-savita-vajpayee-passes-away-in-bhopal-lcln-dskc-2130080-2024-12-26 | title=मध्य प्रदेश की तीन बार मंत्री रह चुकीं सविता वाजपेयी का निधन, Cm मोहन यादव ने जताया दुख | date=26 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.patrika.com/bhopal-news/former-minister-savita-bajpai-passes-away-cm-mohan-expressed-grief-19264787 | title=एमपी की पूर्व मंत्री का निधन; सियासी गलियारों में शोक की लहर, सीएम मोहन ने जताया दुख | Former minister Savita Bajpai passes away CM Mohan expressed grief | date=26 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/madhya-pradesh/socialist-leader-and-former-madhya-pradesh-minister-savita-bajpai-passes-away-3332526 | title=Socialist leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister Savita Bajpai passes away }}</ref>
[[File:Samadhi shyam datia.jpg|thumb|310x310px|'''Samadhi''' ''Site at Shyam Vatika, [[Datia]]''|center]] == References == <references />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shyam, Shyam Sunder}} [[Category:1985 deaths]] [[Category:People from Bundelkhand]] [[Category:People from Datia]] [[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Madhya Pradesh]] [[Category:1923 births]]