Nitish Kumar
| |
| Nitish Kumar in 2024 | |
| Born | 01 March 1951 Bakhtiyarpur, Patna district, Bihar, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering |
| Alma mater | National Institute of Technology, Patna |
| Occupation | Politician, Former Engineer |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | Governance in Bihar, Prohibition policy, Caste-based census |
| Notable works | Saat Nischay Yojana, Women empowerment, Law & Order reform |
| Awards | CNN-IBN Indian of the Year (Politics), NDTV Indian of the Year (Politics) |
| Spouse(s) | Manju Sinha (d. 2007) |
| Children | Nishant Kumar |
| Parents | Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh (father), Parmeshwari Devi (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | Government of Bihar |
Nitish Kumar (born 1 March 1951) is an Indian politician serving as the current Chief Minister of Bihar. A leader of the Janata Dal (United), he is known for his clean image, administrative acumen, and emphasis on good governance.[1]
Early Life and Education
Nitish Kumar was born in Bakhtiyarpur, Bihar, to Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh, an Ayurvedic practitioner and freedom fighter, and Parmeshwari Devi. He completed his degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Patna (formerly Bihar College of Engineering). After briefly working with the Bihar State Electricity Board, he entered active politics in the 1970s.[2]
Political Career
Kumar’s political journey began during the JP Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989 and held Union portfolios like Railways, Surface Transport, and Agriculture in different central governments.
He first became the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2000 and has since served multiple terms. His tenure is credited with improving law and order, promoting girls’ education, and initiating infrastructure and economic reforms.[3]
Major Initiatives
- Prohibition Policy: Imposed a statewide liquor ban in 2016.
- Saat Nischay Yojana: A seven-point development plan focusing on infrastructure, jobs, and education.
- Empowerment of Women: Introduced reservations for women in local bodies and welfare schemes.
- Caste-Based Census: Conducted a full socio-economic caste survey in Bihar.
Political Alliances
Nitish Kumar is known for shifting political alliances. He has formed governments both with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Despite frequent realignments, he continues to be a central figure in Bihar’s politics.
Personal Life
He was married to Manju Sinha, who passed away in 2007. The couple has one son, Nishant Kumar. Nitish Kumar is known for leading a simple lifestyle and staying away from media controversies.
Legacy
Often called "Sushasan Babu", he is credited with transforming Bihar’s image from a crime-ridden state to a model of development and administrative reform. He has won national recognition for his governance.