Breaking gender barriers, Nirmala Sitharaman holds the distinction of being the first woman to occupy this pivotal position. Let’s delve into the trajectory of her life and career.
Early Life and Education:
Born on August 18, 1959, in Tamil Nadu, Nirmala Sitharaman hails from a Tamil Iyengar Brahmin family. Her father served in the Indian Railways.
She pursued her education in Madras and Tiruchirappalli, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College. Later, she moved to Delhi for her Master of Arts and MPhil in economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she met her husband, Parakala Prabhakar.
Political Career Highlights:
In 2006, Sitharaman joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), becoming its national spokesperson in 2010. After the BJP’s victory in 2014, she became a junior minister in the prime minister’s cabinet. Subsequently, she was elected as the Rajya Sabha MP for Andhra Pradesh and later won the Karnataka chair in the Rajya Sabha elections. On September 3, 2017, she became the Minister of Defense, making her the second woman to hold this position. Her political journey culminated on May 31, 2019, when she assumed the role of the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, becoming India’s first female finance minister.
Nirmala Tackles the Covid-19 Pandemic:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sitharaman led the COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force, introducing the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan – a relief package of INR 20 lakh crore. The initiative aimed to combat the pandemic’s economic repercussions by encouraging self-reliance and supporting local products.
Life Before Politics:
Before entering politics, Sitharaman worked at the London-based home décor store, Habitat, and served as an assistant to a UK-based economist. Notably, she held senior positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, worked at the BBC World Service, and was a member of the National Commission of Women from 2003 to 2005.
Accolades and Recognition:
In 2019, Jawaharlal Nehru University honoured Sitharaman with the Distinguished Alumni award. Forbes Magazine also ranked her as the 34th most powerful woman in the world in the same year.
Wrapping Up:
Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarkable journey, from her early career to becoming India’s Finance Minister, serves as an inspiration. Her impact on the nation, coupled with her economic acumen, reinforces her role in shaping India’s future.
