Major changes happened when Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister Of India. One of the most welcomed change was the inclusion of six women ministers in the cabinet. Nirmala Sitharaman is the second lady Defence minister of the country. She is rather the first women Defence minister to hold the portfolio individually. Prior to that, Late Indira Gandhi held the Defence portfolio when she was the Prime Minister of India. Here are the top 10 things that you must know about Nirmala Sitharam.
Born In Middle-Class Family
Nirmala Sitharaman comes from a middle-class family with no political background. Her father, Narayana Sitharaman was an employee of the Railways whereas her mother Savitri was a housewife. Most of the childhood of Nirmalaji was spent in traveling to different areas of Tamil Nadu as the job of her father had a transferable job.
Sitharaman Completed Masters In Economics
Nirmala Sitharaman completed her graduation from the Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College in Tiruchirappalli. Later on, she completed her masters in economics from the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
Sitharaman Pursued Ph.D. On Indo-European Textile Trade
Even before joining politics, Nirmalaji was well aware of the export and import trade and how the economics of a country should be handled and balanced. Her doctorate dissertation on Indo-European textile trade equipped her for the things to come in the future.
Moved To London After Marriage
In 1986, Sitharaman tied the knot with Parakala Prabhakar and shifted to London. In the UK she worked as a Senior Manager at Pricewaterhouse Cooper. Her husband Dr. Parakala Prabhakar is also an alumnus of both the London School of Economics and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
A Stint At BBC
Prior to returning to India, Nirmalaji worked at the BBC World Service for a short period. She returned to India in 1991.
Founding Directors Of Pranava
Nirmala Sitharaman is also one of the founding directors of a school in Hyderabad, Pranava.
Became Member Of NCW In 2003
During the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2003, Nirmala Sitharaman was made a National Commission for Women (NCW) member. She continued to be a member of NCW till 2005.
Sitharaman Joined BJP In 2006
A year later, Sitharaman joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and made her foray in the national politics. Interestingly, her husband was more inclined towards the Congress Party and even was a communications advisor to the Chief Minister Of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu.
Sitharaman Became Minister In Cabinet In 2014
After BJP came into power in 2014, Nirmalaji was given an independent charge in the cabinet on May 26 as the Minister of State, Commerce, and Industry. She was also given the charge to handle the ministry of finance and corporate affairs.
Became Defence Minister On 3 September 2017
During the reshuffle in the cabinet in 2017, the Modi Government handed over the responsibilities of Defence Minister to Nirmala Sitharaman on 3 September.
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