PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC (1950 - 1959). CRITICISM OF THE INTELLIGENTSIA AND OPPOSITION
THE FIRST FEW YEARS AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME SOVIET OF THE REPUBLIC WERE NOT EASY FOR SHARAF RASHIDOV – IN THE EARLY 1950S, UZBEKISTAN WAS OVERWHELMED BY A WAVE OF REPRESSION AGAINST REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CREATIVE INTELLIGENTSIA.
Compared most of the leaders of the republics, Sharaf Rashidov looked the most advantageous – he was an enthusiastic reader, had impressive amount of knowledge and was phenomenally gifted in establishing contacts with people, which was not only due to his broad outlook and ability to talk on any topic but also thanks to his innate tactfulness and respect for an interlocutor. Rashidov felt confident with any kind of people. And as the president of the republic, he had to deal with the widest range of them, from ordinary farmers and factory directors through to people's artists and outstanding athletes. He was valued in Moscow and popular with the people.
In addition to fighting opponents and supporting the creative intelligentsia, Sharaf Rashidov focused on the development of industry. Largely thanks to his efforts, in 1953 Uzbekistan took the fourth place among the Union republics in the industrial sector output. Agricultural machinery, chemical equipment, compressor units and other products manufactured by various industries were exported by the republic to 44 countries of the world.
