Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal (born August 16, 1968) is an Indian politician and former civil servant who currently serves as the Chief Minister of Delhi. He is a prominent figure in Indian politics, known for his anti-corruption crusade and as the founder and national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Early Life and Education

Arvind Kejriwal was born in Siwani, Bhiwani district, Haryana. He completed his schooling from Campus School in Hisar and graduated in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in 1989. After graduating, he joined Tata Steel in Jamshedpur but left in 1992 to prepare for the Civil Services Examination.

Career as a Civil Servant

Kejriwal joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) in 1995 after passing the Civil Services Examination. As an IRS officer, he worked in the Income Tax Department. During his tenure, he became involved in various social causes and was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006 for his efforts in empowering the poorest citizens to combat corruption through the Right to Information (RTI) movement.

Political Career

In 2012, Kejriwal founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with a focus on anti-corruption and governance reforms. He entered the political arena with a commitment to transparency, accountability, and public welfare. AAP made a significant impact in its debut electoral contest, the Delhi Legislative Assembly election in 2013, securing 28 out of 70 seats.

Chief Minister of Delhi

Kejriwal first assumed office as the Chief Minister of Delhi on December 28, 2013. However, he resigned after 49 days due to a failure to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi Assembly. He returned to power with a decisive mandate in the 2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, where AAP won 67 out of 70 seats. Under his leadership, the AAP government has focused on key areas such as education, healthcare, water supply, and electricity.

He was re-elected as the Chief Minister in February 2020 after another landslide victory for AAP in the Delhi Assembly elections.

Policies and Initiatives

Kejriwal's tenure has been marked by several significant policy initiatives:

• Education: His government has significantly increased the budget for education, improved infrastructure in government schools, and introduced new curricula.
• Healthcare: The Mohalla Clinics initiative provides free primary healthcare services to local communities.
• Electricity and Water: Subsidized electricity and water have been major points of his administration's agenda, providing relief to many households in Delhi.
• Anti-Corruption: Kejriwal has consistently focused on anti-corruption measures, including the establishment of a public grievances mechanism and helplines to report corruption.

Personal Life

Arvind Kejriwal is married to Sunita Kejriwal, a former IRS officer, and the couple has two children. Kejriwal is known for his simple lifestyle and dedication to public service. He authored the book "Swaraj," outlining his vision for decentralized governance and participatory democracy.

Awards and Recognition

Kejriwal has received several accolades for his work, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006. He was also named among the World's 100 Most Influential People by Time magazine in 2014.

Controversies

Kejriwal's career has not been without controversies. He has faced criticism for his confrontational style with the central government and allegations of populism. His tenure has also seen multiple protests and strikes, reflecting both his commitment to activism and the contentious nature of his governance style.

Arvind Kejriwal remains a pivotal figure in Indian politics, advocating for transparency, accountability, and grassroots governance. His leadership continues to shape the political landscape of Delhi and influence broader national debates on governance and public welfare.

Related Questions

1. Who is Arvind Kejriwal?

Arvind Kejriwal is an Indian politician and former civil servant who currently serves as the Chief Minister of Delhi. He is the founder and national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

2. When and where was Arvind Kejriwal born?

Arvind Kejriwal was born on August 16, 1968, in Siwani, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India.

3. What is Arvind Kejriwal’s educational background?

Arvind Kejriwal graduated in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in 1989.

4. What was Arvind Kejriwal’s profession before entering politics?

Before entering politics, Arvind Kejriwal was an officer in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) where he worked in the Income Tax Department.

5. What significant award did Arvind Kejriwal receive for his work as a civil servant?

Arvind Kejriwal was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006 for his efforts in empowering citizens to combat corruption through the Right to Information (RTI) movement.

6. When was the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founded?

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was founded in 2012 by Arvind Kejriwal.

7. How many times has Arvind Kejriwal served as the Chief Minister of Delhi?

Arvind Kejriwal has served as the Chief Minister of Delhi three times. His first tenure began in December 2013, his second in February 2015, and his third in February 2020.