Arvind Kejriwal – A bureaucrat, activist and a politician. The man behind Mohalla Clinic and the govt. school.
Arvind Kejriwal born on August 16th, 1968 in Agarwal family. His father Gobind Ram Kejriwal and mother Gita Devi belongs to Agrawal community also knows Baniyas in Siwani in the Bhiwani District of Haryana, India. His father was an electrical engineer who graduated from the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra.
Kejriwal has been the Chief Minister of Delhi since 2015, previously holding the position from 2013 to 2014. He is also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party since 2012, representing the New Delhi constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly since 2015. In 2006, Kejriwal received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his work in the Parivartan movement, advocating for transparent governance using right to information legislation. That same year, after leaving the government, he founded the Public Cause Research Foundation to continue his campaign for transparency. Before his political career, Kejriwal worked in the Indian Revenue Service and holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.
Arvind Kejriwal
- Born: August 16, 1968 (age 55), Siwani, Haryana, India
- Political party: Aam Aadmi Party
- Spouse: Sunita Kejriwal (married 1995)
- Children: 2
- Residence: 6, Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines, Delhi, India
- Alma mater: IIT Kharagpur (B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering)
- Profession: Politician, activist, bureaucrat
- Known for:
- India against Corruption
- Jan Lokpal Bill
- Activism
- Chief Minister of Delhi
- Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Award
Arvind Kejriwal’s career in brief:
- 7th Chief Minister of Delhi
- Incumbent: Assumed office on 14 February 2015
- Deputy: Manish Sisodia (Till 28 February 2023)
- Cabinet: Kejriwal ministry – III, Kejriwal ministry – II
- Preceded by: President’s rule
- In office: 28 December 2013 – 14 February 2014
- Lieutenant Governor: Najeeb Jung
- Cabinet: Kejriwal ministry – I
- Preceded by: Sheila Dikshit
- Succeeded by: President’s rule
- Member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly
- Incumbent: Assumed office on 14 February 2015
- Constituency: New Delhi
- Preceded by: President’s rule
- In office: 28 December 2013 – 14 February 2014
- Constituency: New Delhi
- Preceded by: Sheila Dikshit
- Succeeded by: President’s rule
- National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party
- Incumbent: Assumed office on 26 November 2012
- Preceded by: Post Established
Arvind Kejriwal: A Journey of Service, Leadership, and Challenges
Arvind Kejriwal, born on August 16, 1968, in Siwani, Haryana, India, is a notable figure in Indian politics, recognized for his commitment to public welfare. Growing up as the eldest among three siblings to Gobind Ram Kejriwal and Gita Devi, Kejriwal’s formative years were shaped by his father’s influence, an electrical engineer from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra. His schooling in towns like Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Hisar provided a grounded foundation.
After achieving an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 563 in the IIT-JEE exam, Kejriwal pursued mechanical engineering at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. However, his career took a turn when he joined Tata Steel in 1989, stationed in Jamshedpur, Bihar. Seeking a deeper purpose, Kejriwal left his corporate role in 1992 to prepare for the Civil Services Examination.
During this period, his altruistic spirit led him to Calcutta (now Kolkata), where he had the privilege of working alongside Mother Teresa. Volunteering with The Missionaries of Charity and the Ramakrishna Mission in North-East India and Nehru Yuva Kendra, Kejriwal honed his commitment to grassroots service.
In 2012, he took a pivotal step into politics by becoming the National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a platform aligned with his vision of transparent governance and anti-corruption measures. This marked the beginning of his impactful journey in the political arena.
On February 14, 2015, Kejriwal assumed the role of the 7th Chief Minister of Delhi, a position he continues to hold with distinction. Under his leadership, Delhi witnessed the establishment of the Kejriwal ministries – III and II, focusing on the welfare and development of the city. This followed a brief stint as Chief Minister from December 28, 2013, to February 14, 2014, succeeding Sheila Dikshit.
Throughout his tenure, Kejriwal has represented the New Delhi constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, advocating for the rights of the common citizen. His efforts have garnered international recognition, notably with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006 for his role in the India against Corruption movement and advocacy for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
However, Kejriwal’s journey has also been marked by challenges. In June 2022, the Congress president Chaudhary Anil Kumar filed a case with the Delhi Police regarding the Delhi liquor scam against the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government. In a turn of events, in March 2024, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi liquor scam after the High Court denied him relief. This arrest made Kejriwal the first incumbent chief minister to be arrested.
Today, Arvind Kejriwal remains a steadfast voice for inclusive governance, social welfare, and progressive policies. His journey from an IIT-educated engineer to a dynamic political leader reflects a commitment to serving the people and striving for a better, more transparent future for India, even in the face of adversity.
