Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (10 December 1878 – 25 December 1972), informally called
Rajaji or
C.R., was an Indian lawyer,
independence activist, politician, writer and statesman. Rajagopalachari was the last
Governor-General of India. He also served as leader of the
Indian National Congress, Premier of the Madras Presidency,
Governor of West Bengal, Minister for Home Affairs of the Indian Union and Chief Minister of Madras state. Rajagopalachari founded the
Swatantra Party and was one of the first recipients of India's highest civilian award, the
Bharat Ratna. He vehemently opposed the use of nuclear weapons and was a proponent of world peace and disarmament. During his lifetime, he also acquired the nickname 'Mango of Krishnagiri'.