Pyarelal Nayyar

Pyarelal Nayyar Biography

Pyarelal Nayyar was the personal secretary of Mahatma Gandhi in his later years. Dr. Sushila Nayyar, a leading physician, freedom fighter and politician who served as the second health minister of India in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet was his younger sister. She also joined as the personal physician to Mahatma Gandhi at Sevagram soon after completing her medical course and served this position till his assassination in 1948.

Pyarelal Nayyar was born in 1899 in British India. He was born in Kunjah, Punjab in 1914, and now this place belongs to Pakistan. His younger sister Dr. Sushila Nayyar joined him at Sevagram soon after the completion of medical studies, while Pyarelal Nayyar was serving as the personal secretary to Mahatma Gandhi. When cholera broke out in Wardha the young graduate played a magnificent role in curing patients, which earned her praises from Gandhi. He also appointed her as his personal physician. She took a small break to complete her MD studies and she returned in 1942 to continue with her service in Sevagram. She also got involved with freedom struggle movement, and earned the confidence of political leaders.

Pyarelal Nayyar completed B. A. from University of Punjab and pursued MA studies. However he discontinued his studies during the Non-cooperation movement of 1920. He turned a Gandhian and participated in the Salt March to Dandi in 1930. He served as the personal secretary of Mahatma Gandhi till his assassination in 1948 and continued his literary work on Gandhi until his last days. Some of his works on Gandhi were completed by his younger sister Sushila. In Richard Attenborough film Gandhi (1982) his role was portrayed by Pankaj Kapoor. Ironically he passed away the same year.

Published: November 18, 2018

Updated: November 18, 2018