Inder Kumar Gujral was an influential Indian politician, diplomat, and freedom activist. He was the 12th Prime Minister of India, serving from April 1997 to March 1998, and was also the Minister of External Affairs from June 1996 to March 1998. Gujral was born on December 4, 1919, in Jhelum, Punjab, British India, and was the son of Avtar Narain and Pushpa Gujral. He was educated at the DAV College, Hailey College of Commerce, and Forman Christian College in Lahore.

Throughout his life, Gujral was a committed freedom fighter and was involved in the Indian Independence Movement. He was a member of the Communist Party of India and was a strong advocate for the Urdu language and poetry. He began his political career in the 1950s as the vice president of the New Delhi Municipal Committee and later joined the Indian National Congress in 1964. He served in various government ministries under Indira Gandhi, including information and broadcasting, planning, and water resources.

In the 1980s, Gujral left the INC and joined the Janata Dal Party. He served as the Minister of External Affairs in the government of V.P. Singh in 1989. In 1991, he ran for election in Bihar, but the election was annulled due to irregularities. He was later appointed to the Rajya Sabha. In 1996, he was appointed Minister of External Affairs in the United Front government, where he developed the "Gujral Doctrine" to improve relations with India's neighbors. When the Indian National Congress party withdrew its support for the United Front government in 1997, a compromise was reached, and Gujral was appointed as the new Prime Minister of India.

As Prime Minister, Gujral pursued a policy of good relations with India's neighbours, which came to be known as the "Gujral Doctrine." He also focused on economic reform and made a point of meeting with the general public on Friday mornings. In 1998, his government lost a vote of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha, and he resigned as Prime Minister. Gujral has received many honours and accolades for his contributions to Indian politics and diplomacy.

In conclusion, Inder Kumar Gujral was a notable figure in Indian politics and diplomacy. His focus on good relations with India's neighbours and his efforts to promote economic reform make him a respected and admired figure in Indian history.