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{{Short description|1st woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha in India}}
{{Short description|15th Speaker of Lok Sabha (born 1945)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}

{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Meira Kumar
| name = Meira Kumar
| image = The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar in 2010.jpg
| image = Meira Kumar in 2013.jpg
| caption = Kumar in 2013
| office = 15th [[Speaker of the Lok Sabha]]
| office = 15th [[Speaker of the Lok Sabha]]
| term_start = 04 Jun 2009
| term_start = 4 June 2009
| term_end = 18 May 2014
| term_end = 11 June 2014
| president =
| president = *[[Pratibha Patil]]
*[[Pratibha Patil]]
*[[Pranab Mukherjee]]
*[[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| primeminister = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| 1blankname = [[Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha|Deputy]]
| 1blankname = [[Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha|Deputy Speaker]]
| 1namedata = [[Kariya Munda]]
| 1namedata = [[Kariya Munda]]
| 2blankname = [[Leader of the House in Lok Sabha|Leader of the House]]
| 2blankname = [[Leader of the House in Lok Sabha|Leader of the House]]
| 2namedata =
| 2namedata = *[[Pranab Mukherjee]]
*[[Pranab Mukherjee]]
*[[Sushilkumar Shinde]]
*[[Sushilkumar Shinde]]
| predecessor = [[Somnath Chatterjee]]
| predecessor = [[Somnath Chatterjee]]
| successor = [[Sumitra Mahajan]]
| successor = [[Sumitra Mahajan]]
| office1 = [[Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation|Minister of Water Resources]]
| office1 = [[Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation|Union Minister of Water Resources]]
| primeminister1 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| primeminister1 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| 1blankname1 = Cabinet
| 1namedata1 = [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry|Manmohan II]]
| term_start1 = 22 May 2009
| term_start1 = 22 May 2009
| term_end1 = 25 May 2009
| term_end1 = 25 May 2009
| predecessor1 = [[Saifuddin Soz]]
| predecessor1 = [[Saifuddin Soz]]
| successor1 = [[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]
| successor1 = [[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]
| office2 = [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]]
| office2 = [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]]
| primeminister2 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| primeminister2 = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term_start2 = 22 May 2004
| term_start2 = 22 May 2004
Line 33: Line 32:
| predecessor2 = [[Satyanarayan Jatiya]]
| predecessor2 = [[Satyanarayan Jatiya]]
| successor2 = [[Selja Kumari]]
| successor2 = [[Selja Kumari]]
| office3 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| 1blankname2 = Cabinet
| 1namedata2 = [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry|Manmohan II]]

| office3 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| term_start3 = 2004
| term_start3 = 2004
| term_end3 = 2014
| term_end3 = 2014
| = [[Gandi Sabconstituency|Sasaram]]
| predecessor3 = [[Muni Lall]]
| successor3 = [[Chhedi Paswan]]
| constituency3 = [[Sasaram Lok Sabha constituency|Sasaram, Bihar]]
| term_start4 = 1996
| term_start4 = 1996
| term_end4 = 1999
| term_end4 = 1999
| predecessor4 = [[Kalka Dass]]
| predecessor4 = [[Kalka Dass]]
| successor4 = [[Anita Arya]]
| successor4 = [[Anita Arya]]
| constituency4 = [[Karol Bagh Lok Sabha constituency|Karol Bagh]]
| constituency4 = [[Karol Bagh Lok Sabha constituency|Karol Bagh, Delhi]]
| term_start5 = 1985
| term_start5 = 1985
| term_end5 = 1989
| term_end5 = 1989
| predecessor5 = Chowdhary Girdhari Lal
| predecessor5 = Chowdhary Girdhari Lal
| successor5 = [[Mayawati]]
| successor5 = [[Mayawati]]
| constituency5 = [[Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency|Bijnor]] (by-poll)
| constituency5 = [[Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency|Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh]] (by-poll)
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|3|31|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|03|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Arrah]], [[Bihar Province|Bihar]], [[British Raj|British India]] (present day [[Arrah]], [[Bihar]], [[India]])
| birth_place = [[Arrah]], [[Bihar Province|Bihar]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br>(present day [[Bihar]], India)
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| residence = [[South East Delhi district|Kalkaji, South East Delhi]]
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
| otherparty = [[United Progressive Alliance]]
| otherparty = [[United Progressive Alliance]]
| spouse = {{Marriage|Manjul Kumar|1968}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Manjul Kumar|1968}}
| relations = [[Sumitra Devi (politician)|Sumitra Devi]] (mother-in-law)
| relations = [[Sumitra Devi (politician)|Sumitra Devi]] (mother-in-law)
| children = 3 (1 son and 2 daughters)
| children = 3 (1 son and 2 daughters)
| father = [[Jagjivan Ram]]
| father =
| mother = Indrani Devi
| mother =
| alma_mater = [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]]
| alma_mater = [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]]
| parents = [[Jagjivan Ram]] (father)<br>Indrani Devi (mother)
}}
}}


'''Meira Kumar''' (born 31 March 1945) is an Indian politician and former diplomat. A member of the [[Indian National Congress]], she was the [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]] from 2004 to 2009, the [[Ministry of Water Resources (India)|Minister of Water Resources]] for a brief period in 2009. She served as the [[Speaker of Lok Sabha|15th Speaker of Lok Sabha]] from 2009 to 2014, being the first woman to hold the post. Kumar became just the second woman to be nominated for [[president of India]] by a major political block when she secured the [[United Progressive Alliance]]'s nomination in 2017.
'''Meira Kumar''' (born 31 March 1945) is an Indian politician and former diplomat. A member of the [[Indian National Congress]], she was the [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]] from 2004 to 2009, the [[Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation|Minister of Water Resources]] for a brief period in 2009. She served as the [[Speaker of Lok Sabha|15th Speaker of Lok Sabha]] from 2009 to 2014, being the first woman to hold the post. Kumar became just the second woman to be nominated for [[president of India]] by a major political block when she secured the [[United Progressive Alliance]]'s nomination in 2017.


Prior to being a member of the [[15th Lok Sabha]], Kumar had been elected earlier to the [[8th Lok Sabha|8th]], [[11th Lok Sabha|11th]], [[12th Lok Sabha|12th]] and [[14th Lok Sabha]]. Kumar was the joint presidential candidate by the leading opposition parties for [[2017 Indian presidential election|2017 presidential election]] and lost the election to the NDA nominee [[Ram Nath Kovind]]. Meira Kumar's vote share is the third highest for a losing candidate, that of [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]] in the [[1969 Indian presidential election|1969 Presidential elections]] and [[K. Subba Rao]] in [[1967 Indian presidential election|1967 Presidential elections]].
Prior to being a member of the [[15th Lok Sabha]], Kumar had been elected earlier to the [[8th Lok Sabha|8th]], [[11th Lok Sabha|11th]], [[12th Lok Sabha|12th]] and [[14th Lok Sabha]]. Kumar was the joint presidential candidate by the leading opposition parties for [[2017 Indian presidential election|2017 presidential election]] and lost the election to the NDA nominee [[Ram Nath Kovind]]. Meira Kumar's vote share is the third highest for a losing candidate, that of [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]] in the [[1969 Indian presidential election|1969 Presidential elections]] and [[K. Subba Rao]] in [[1967 Indian presidential election|1967 Presidential elections]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Meira Kumar was born on 31 March 1945, in [[Bihar|Bhojpur district]], [[Bihar]] of the [[British India]] (present day [[Bihar, India]]) to [[Jagjivan Ram]], an [[Oppressed]] leader and former [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|Deputy Prime Minister]] and Indrani Devi, a prominent leader of the [[Indian freedom struggle]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.oneindia.in/2009/06/03/profile-meira-kumar-first-woman-dalit-speaker.html | title=Profile: Meira Kumar, first female Dalit Speaker | publisher=oneindia.in | date=3 June 2009 | access-date=10 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222030615/http://news.oneindia.in/2009/06/03/profile-meira-kumar-first-woman-dalit-speaker.html | archive-date=22 February 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Growing up, Kumar shared a close relationship with her mother, who she spent most of her time with. She discussed the impact that her mother had on her in an interview with Manoj Tibrewal of the [[DD News|Doordarshan News]], calling her the biggest influence from her childhood.<ref name="dd">{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UvES-YsdQmU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/UvES-YsdQmU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Manoj Tibrewal Aakash interviewed Meira Kumar for DD News's Ek Mulaqat (Full Interview)|publisher=[[DD News|Doordarshan News]]|via=[[YouTube]]|access-date=14 October 2019|date=26 December 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Meira Kumar was born on 31 March 1945, in [[Bihar|Bhojpur district]], [[Bihar]] of the [[British India]] (present day [[Bihar, India]]) to [[Jagjivan Ram]], an Depressed Class leader and former [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|Deputy Prime Minister]] and Indrani Devi, a prominent leader of the [[Indian freedom struggle]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.oneindia.in/2009/06/03/profile-meira-kumar-first-woman-dalit-speaker.html | title=Profile: Meira Kumar, first female Dalit Speaker | publisher=oneindia.in | date=3 June 2009 | access-date=10 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222030615/http://news.oneindia.in/2009/06/03/profile-meira-kumar-first-woman-dalit-speaker.html | archive-date=22 February 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Growing up, Kumar shared a close relationship with her mother, with whom she spent most of her time. She has described her as the biggest influence from her childhood.<ref name="dd">{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UvES-YsdQmU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/UvES-YsdQmU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Manoj Tibrewal Aakash interviewed Meira Kumar for DD News's Ek Mulaqat (Full Interview)|publisher=[[DD News|Doordarshan News]]|via=[[YouTube]]|access-date=14 October 2019|date=26 December 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


Kumar attended the [[Welham Girls School]], [[Dehradun]] and [[Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls' Public School]] in [[Jaipur]]. She studied at [[Banasthali Vidyapith]] for a short duration. She completed her [[Master's degree]] and [[Bachelors of Law]] from [[Indraprastha College]] and the [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]] respectively. She also received an honorary doctorate from [[Banasthali Vidyapith]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Banasthali-created-a-force-of-empowered-women/articleshow/16718163.cms|title=Banasthali created a force of empowered women – Times of India|access-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104094126/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Banasthali-created-a-force-of-empowered-women/articleshow/16718163.cms|archive-date=4 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.47.134/newls/Biography.aspx?mpsno=3066|title=Biography] [Lok Sabha|access-date=2 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412003819/http://164.100.47.134/newls/Biography.aspx?mpsno=3066|archive-date=12 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Kumar attended the [[Welham Girls School]], [[Dehradun]] and [[Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls' Public School]] in [[Jaipur]].<ref name="toi_2017_Kumar">{{cite news |title=Oppn prez nominee Meira Kumar an acclaimed rifle shooter |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/oppn-prez-nominee-meira-kumar-an-acclaimed-rifle-shooter/articleshow/59277814.cms |access-date=5 April 2023 |work=Times of India |date=23 June 2017 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410042244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/oppn-prez-nominee-meira-kumar-an-acclaimed-rifle-shooter/articleshow/59277814.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> She studied at [[Banasthali Vidyapith]] for a short duration. She completed her [[Master's degree]] and [[Bachelors of Law]] from [[Indraprastha College]] and the [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]] respectively. She also received an honorary doctorate from [[Banasthali Vidyapith]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Banasthali-created-a-force-of-empowered-women/articleshow/16718163.cms|title=Banasthali created a force of empowered women – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=8 October 2012 |access-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104094126/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Banasthali-created-a-force-of-empowered-women/articleshow/16718163.cms|archive-date=4 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.47.134/newls/Biography.aspx?mpsno=3066|title=Biography] [Lok Sabha|access-date=2 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412003819/http://164.100.47.134/newls/Biography.aspx?mpsno=3066|archive-date=12 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Kumar worked as a [[social work]]er during her youth, actively participating in movements supporting [[social reform]]s, [[human rights]], and [[democracy|democratic ideas]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} She was appointed as the Chairperson of National Drought Relief Committee constituted by the [[Congress]] during [[Famine in India#Bihar drought|1967 famine in region of Bihar]]. As the head of the commission, Kumar launched a Family Adoption Scheme under which drought-affected families were provided support from volunteering households.<ref name="goi"/>
Kumar worked as a [[social work]]er during her youth, actively participating in movements supporting [[social reform]]s, [[human rights]], and [[democracy|democratic ideas]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} She was appointed as the Chairperson of National Drought Relief Committee constituted by the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] during [[Famine in India#Bihar drought|1967 famine in region of Bihar]]. As the head of the commission, Kumar launched a Family Adoption Scheme under which drought-affected families were provided support from volunteering households.<ref name="goi"/>


==Career==
==Career==


===Foreign Service===
===Foreign Service===
Kumar joined the [[Indian Foreign Service]] in 1973 and was posted as language trainee at the Embassy of India [[Spain]]. During this period, she obtained a diploma in [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]].<ref name="goi">{{cite web|url=https://archive.inndia.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=3066|title=Detailed profile: Smt. Meira Kumar|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref> Later, she was posted at the [[High Commission]] of India,United Kingdom .<ref name="goi"/> After working as a diplomat for a decade, Kumar quit the Indian Foreign Services in 1985 and decided to enter politics after being encouraged by her father and the then [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Rajiv Gandhi]].<ref name="britannica">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Meira-Kumar|title=Meira Kumar|website=[[Britannica]]|language=en-GB|access-date=13 October 2019|last=Mariet D'Souza|first=Shanthie }}</ref>
Kumar joined the [[Indian Foreign Service]] in 1973 and was posted as language trainee at the Embassy of India [[Spain]]. During this period, she obtained a diploma in [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]].<ref name="goi">{{cite web|url=https://archive.inndia.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=3066|title=Detailed profile: Smt. Meira Kumar|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=13 October 2019}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Later, she was posted at the [[High Commission]] of India, United Kingdom .<ref name="goi"/> After working as a diplomat for a decade, Kumar quit the Indian Foreign Services in 1985 and decided to enter politics after being encouraged by her father Jagjivan Ram and later Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi .<ref name="britannica">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Meira-Kumar|title=Meira Kumar|website=[[Britannica]]|language=en-GB|access-date=13 October 2019|last=Mariet D'Souza|first=Shanthie|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419170825/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Meira-Kumar|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Political career===
===Political career===
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Following the Congress party's win in the [[2004 Indian general elections]], Kumar served in the [[United Progressive Alliance]]'s Government as the [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (India)|Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]] from 2004 to 2009, under the premiership of [[Manmohan Singh]].{{Citation needed|date= June 2022}}
Following the Congress party's win in the [[2004 Indian general elections]], Kumar served in the [[United Progressive Alliance]]'s Government as the [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (India)|Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]] from 2004 to 2009, under the premiership of [[Manmohan Singh]].{{Citation needed|date= June 2022}}


She entered active politics in the year 1985. She has been a Lok Sabha MP five times. She has also been a minister in the central government.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 July 2017 |title=Know few things about veteran politician Meira Kumar. |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/national/1023474- |work=Prabhat Khabar}}</ref>
⚫
In 2009, the United Progressive Alliance returned to power after an improved performance in the [[2009 Indian general election|general election]] and Kumar was, on May 22, 2009, briefly inducted as member of the centre's cabinet as the Minister for Water Resources.{{Citation needed|date= June 2022}}

⚫
In 2009, the United Progressive Alliance returned to power after an improved performance in the [[2009 Indian general election|general election]] and Kumar was, on 22 May 2009, briefly inducted as member of the centre's cabinet as the Minister for Water Resources.{{Citation needed|date= June 2022}}


However, she was later nominated for the position of the [[Speaker of Lok Sabha]] and she submitted her resignation three days after assuming ministerial office. Kumar was then elected as the first ever woman speaker of Lok Sabha and remained in office from 2009 to 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/world/asia/04briefs-indiaelection.html?ref=global-home|title=India: Woman Wins Post of Speaker|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=4 June 2009|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302141031/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/world/asia/04briefs-indiaelection.html?ref=global-home|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-04/india/28196365_1_meira-kumar-jagjivan-ram-dalit-agenda|title=Meira Kumar brings Jagjivan to fore|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 June 2009|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524190438/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-04/india/28196365_1_meira-kumar-jagjivan-ram-dalit-agenda|archive-date=24 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
However, she was later nominated for the position of the [[Speaker of Lok Sabha]] and she submitted her resignation three days after assuming ministerial office. Kumar was then elected as the first ever woman speaker of Lok Sabha and remained in office from 2009 to 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/world/asia/04briefs-indiaelection.html?ref=global-home|title=India: Woman Wins Post of Speaker|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=4 June 2009|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302141031/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/world/asia/04briefs-indiaelection.html?ref=global-home|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Meira-Kumar-brings-Jagjivan-to-fore/articleshow/4614252.cms|title=Meira Kumar brings Jagjivan to fore|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 June 2009|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524190438/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-04/india/28196365_1_meira-kumar-jagjivan-ram-dalit-agenda|archive-date=24 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>


====2017 presidential election====
====2017 presidential election====
{{main|2017 Indian presidential election}}
{{main|2017 Indian presidential election}}
Kumar secured the [[United Progressive Alliance]]'s nomination for the [[2017 Indian presidential election]], becoming just the third woman to be nominated for president of India by a major [[political alliance|political bloc]],{{efn|While [[Lakshmi Sahgal]] was also nominated by the [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] during the 11th presidential election, she secured only 10 percent of the total votes polled.}} after [[Pratibha Patil]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Presidential election: Meira Kumar to file nomination on June 27, thanks Opposition parties for nominating her|last=Bhardwaj|first=Supriya|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/presidential-nominee-meira-kumar-ram-nath-kovind-upa-nda-nitish-kumar-984405-2017-06-23|access-date=12 October 2019|website=[[India Today]]|date=23 June 2017}}</ref> Although she received support from most of the major opposition parties for her election to the office, she went on to lose to the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] nominee [[Ram Nath Kovind]].<ref name="presidential">{{cite news|title=Kovind first President from Sangh, cross-voting boosts margin|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/kovind-first-president-from-sangh-cross-voting-boosts-margin/amp_articleshow/59691040.cms|access-date=23 July 2017|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723104655/http://m.timesofindia.com/india/kovind-first-president-from-sangh-cross-voting-boosts-margin/amp_articleshow/59691040.cms|archive-date=23 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
Kumar secured the [[United Progressive Alliance]]'s nomination for the [[2017 Indian presidential election]], becoming just the third woman to be nominated for president of India by a major [[political alliance|political bloc]],{{efn|While [[Lakshmi Sahgal]] was also nominated by the [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] during the 11th presidential election, she secured only 10 percent of the total votes polled.}} after [[Pratibha Patil]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Presidential election: Meira Kumar to file nomination on June 27, thanks Opposition parties for nominating her|last=Bhardwaj|first=Supriya|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/presidential-nominee-meira-kumar-ram-nath-kovind-upa-nda-nitish-kumar-984405-2017-06-23|access-date=12 October 2019|website=[[India Today]]|date=23 June 2017|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012190133/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/presidential-nominee-meira-kumar-ram-nath-kovind-upa-nda-nitish-kumar-984405-2017-06-23|url-status=live}}</ref> Although she received support from most of the major opposition parties for her election to the office, she went on to lose to the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] nominee [[Ram Nath Kovind]].<ref name="presidential">{{cite news|title=Kovind first President from Sangh, cross-voting boosts margin|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kovind-first-president-from-sangh-cross-voting-boosts-margin/articleshow/59691040.cms|access-date=23 July 2017|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723104644/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kovind-first-president-from-sangh-cross-voting-boosts-margin/articleshow/59691040.cms|archive-date=23 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>


Kovind received a total of 2,930 votes (which included both Members of Parliament and [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|Members]] of the [[Legislative Assembly (India)|Legislative Assemblies]]) amounting to electoral college votes of 702,044.<ref name="presidential"/> He defeated Kumar, who received a total of 1,844 votes amounting to 367,314 votes in terms of electoral college.<ref name="prabhu">{{cite news|last1=Sunil Prabhu|title=In Defeat, Opposition's Meira Kumar Breaks 50-Year-Old Record|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-defeat-too-oppositions-meira-kumar-breaks-50-year-old-record-1727452|access-date=23 July 2017|website=[[NDTV]]|date=July 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721144932/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-defeat-too-oppositions-meira-kumar-breaks-50-year-old-record-1727452|archive-date=21 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-elections-meira-kumar-will-challenge-ram-nath-kovind-bsp-and-sp-go-with-opposition-choice-4717559/|title=Presidential Polls: Meira Kumar will challenge Ram Nath Kovind, BSP and SP go with Opposition choice|date=2017-06-23|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=23 June 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623025234/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-elections-meira-kumar-will-challenge-ram-nath-kovind-bsp-and-sp-go-with-opposition-choice-4717559/|archive-date=23 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
Kovind received a total of 2,930 votes (which included both Members of Parliament and [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|Members]] of the [[Legislative Assembly (India)|Legislative Assemblies]]) amounting to electoral college votes of 702,044.<ref name="presidential"/> He defeated Kumar, who received a total of 1,844 votes amounting to 367,314 votes in terms of electoral college.<ref name="prabhu">{{cite news|last1=Sunil Prabhu|title=In Defeat, Opposition's Meira Kumar Breaks 50-Year-Old Record|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-defeat-too-oppositions-meira-kumar-breaks-50-year-old-record-1727452|access-date=23 July 2017|website=[[NDTV]]|date=July 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721144932/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-defeat-too-oppositions-meira-kumar-breaks-50-year-old-record-1727452|archive-date=21 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-elections-meira-kumar-will-challenge-ram-nath-kovind-bsp-and-sp-go-with-opposition-choice-4717559/|title=Presidential Polls: Meira Kumar will challenge Ram Nath Kovind, BSP and SP go with Opposition choice|date=2017-06-23|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=23 June 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623025234/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-elections-meira-kumar-will-challenge-ram-nath-kovind-bsp-and-sp-go-with-opposition-choice-4717559/|archive-date=23 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
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====National Legislators' Conference====
====National Legislators' Conference====
* In September 2022, Meira Kumar was appointed as a key patron of [[NLC Bharat]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-LS Speakers hold round table discussion to promote PM's mantra to "reform, perform and transform" |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/ex-ls-speakers-hold-round-table-discussion-to-promote-pms-mantra-to-reform-perform-and-transform20221108093605/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref>
* In September 2022, Meira Kumar was appointed as a key patron of [[NLC Bharat]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-LS Speakers hold round table discussion to promote PM's mantra to "reform, perform and transform" |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/ex-ls-speakers-hold-round-table-discussion-to-promote-pms-mantra-to-reform-perform-and-transform20221108093605/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=ANI News |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204135656/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/ex-ls-speakers-hold-round-table-discussion-to-promote-pms-mantra-to-reform-perform-and-transform20221108093605/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Lok Sabha electoral history==
==Positions held ==
Meira Kumar has been elected 5 times as [[Lok Sabha]] MP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://loksabhaph.nic.in/members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=3066&lastls=15 |title=Member Profile |work=Lok Sabha |access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref>
Meira Kumar has been elected 5 times as [[Lok Sabha]] MP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://loksabhaph.nic.in/members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=3066&lastls=15 |title=Member Profile |work=Lok Sabha |access-date=4 October 2022 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004141013/https://loksabhaph.nic.in/members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=3066&lastls=15 |url-status=live }}</ref> She lost from Sasaram in 2019.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! # !! From !! To !! Position !! Party
! # !! Term Start !! Term End !! Position !! Party
|-
|-
| 1. || 1985 || 1989 || [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|MP]] (1st term) in [[8th Lok Sabha]] from [[Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency|Bijnor]] (by-poll) || [[Indian National Congress|INC]]
| 1. || 1985 || 1989 || [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|MP]] (1st term) in [[8th Lok Sabha]] from [[Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency|Bijnor]] (by-poll) || [[Indian National Congress|INC]]
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|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Saifuddin Soz]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Saifuddin Soz]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Water Resources (India)|Union Minister of Water Resources]]|years=22 May 2009 – 25 May 2009}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation|Union Minister of Water Resources]]|years=22 May 2009 – 25 May 2009}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]}}
|-
|-
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[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:India MPs 1984–1989]]
[[Category:India MPs 1984–1989]]
[[Category:India MPs 1996–1997]]
[[Category:India MPs 1996–1997]]
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[[Category:India MPs 2009–2014]]
[[Category:India MPs 2009–2014]]
[[Category:Candidates for President of India]]
[[Category:Candidates for President of India]]
[[Category:Dalit politicians]]
[[Category:Dalit women]]
[[Category:English-language writers from India]]
[[Category:English-language writers from India]]
[[Category:Indian Foreign Service officers]]
[[Category:Indian Foreign Service officers]]
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[[Category:Speakers of the Lok Sabha]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Lok Sabha]]
[[Category:United Progressive Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:United Progressive Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:Women members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Women members of the Cabinet of India]]
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[[Category:People from Bijnor district]]
[[Category:People from Bijnor district]]
[[Category:Welham Girls' School alumni]]
[[Category:Welham Girls' School alumni]]
[[Category:Bihari politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women lawyers]]

Latest revision as of 19:00, 23 November 2024

Meira Kumar
Kumar in 2013
15th Speaker of the Lok Sabha
In office
4 June 2009 – 11 June 2014
President
DeputyKariya Munda
Leader of the House
Preceded bySomnath Chatterjee
Succeeded bySumitra Mahajan
Union Minister of Water Resources
In office
22 May 2009 – 25 May 2009
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
CabinetManmohan II
Preceded bySaifuddin Soz
Succeeded byPawan Kumar Bansal
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
In office
22 May 2004 – 22 May 2009
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
CabinetManmohan II
Preceded bySatyanarayan Jatiya
Succeeded bySelja Kumari
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
2004–2014
Preceded byMuni Lall
Succeeded byChhedi Paswan
ConstituencySasaram, Bihar
In office
1996–1999
Preceded byKalka Dass
Succeeded byAnita Arya
ConstituencyKarol Bagh, Delhi
In office
1985–1989
Preceded byChowdhary Girdhari Lal
Succeeded byMayawati
ConstituencyBijnor, Uttar Pradesh (by-poll)
Personal details
Born (1945-03-31) 31 March 1945 (age 79)
Arrah, Bihar, British India
(present day Bihar, India)
Political partyIndian National Congress
Other political
affiliations		United Progressive Alliance
Spouse
Manjul Kumar
​
(m. 1968)​
RelationsSumitra Devi (mother-in-law)
Children3 (1 son and 2 daughters)
Parent(s)Jagjivan Ram (father)
Indrani Devi (mother)
ResidenceKalkaji, South East Delhi
Alma materFaculty of Law, University of Delhi

Meira Kumar (born 31 March 1945) is an Indian politician and former diplomat. A member of the Indian National Congress, she was the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009, the Minister of Water Resources for a brief period in 2009. She served as the 15th Speaker of Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014, being the first woman to hold the post. Kumar became just the second woman to be nominated for president of India by a major political block when she secured the United Progressive Alliance's nomination in 2017.

Prior to being a member of the 15th Lok Sabha, Kumar had been elected earlier to the 8th, 11th, 12th and 14th Lok Sabha. Kumar was the joint presidential candidate by the leading opposition parties for 2017 presidential election and lost the election to the NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind. Meira Kumar's vote share is the third highest for a losing candidate, that of Neelam Sanjiva Reddy in the 1969 Presidential elections and K. Subba Rao in 1967 Presidential elections.

Early life

[edit]

Meira Kumar was born on 31 March 1945, in Bhojpur district, Bihar of the British India (present day Bihar, India) to Jagjivan Ram, an Depressed Class leader and former Deputy Prime Minister and Indrani Devi, a prominent leader of the Indian freedom struggle.[1] Growing up, Kumar shared a close relationship with her mother, with whom she spent most of her time. She has described her as the biggest influence from her childhood.[2]

Kumar attended the Welham Girls School, Dehradun and Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls' Public School in Jaipur.[3] She studied at Banasthali Vidyapith for a short duration. She completed her Master's degree and Bachelors of Law from Indraprastha College and the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi respectively. She also received an honorary doctorate from Banasthali Vidyapith in 2010.[4][5]

Kumar worked as a social worker during her youth, actively participating in movements supporting social reforms, human rights, and democratic ideas.[citation needed] She was appointed as the Chairperson of National Drought Relief Committee constituted by the Congress during 1967 famine in region of Bihar. As the head of the commission, Kumar launched a Family Adoption Scheme under which drought-affected families were provided support from volunteering households.[6]

Career

[edit]

Foreign Service

[edit]

Kumar joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1973 and was posted as language trainee at the Embassy of India Spain. During this period, she obtained a diploma in Spanish.[6] Later, she was posted at the High Commission of India, United Kingdom .[6] After working as a diplomat for a decade, Kumar quit the Indian Foreign Services in 1985 and decided to enter politics after being encouraged by her father Jagjivan Ram and later Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi .[7]

Political career

[edit]
Kumar meeting Burmese leader Aung Suu Kyi in 2013.

Kumar entered electoral politics in 1985, when she received an Indian National Congress' nomination for the Lok Sabha from the Bijnor constituency bye-poll in Uttar Pradesh. She defeated, as a newcomer, two veteran dalit leaders including Ram Vilas Paswan of the Janata Dal and Mayawati of the Bahujan Samajwadi Party.[8][9] Following her election to the Lok Sabha, Kumar was appointed as member of the Ministry of External Affairs' Consultative Committee in 1986.[6]

Meera Kumar lost elections for 9th Lok Sabha (1989) and 10th Lok Sabha from Sasaram, but went on to win elections for the 11th (in 1996) and the 12th Lok Sabhas from Karol Bagh in Delhi. She lost her seat to the candidate from the Bhartiya Janata Party in 1999 election, but was able re-elected with a significant majority from her father's former constituency of Sasaram in Bihar in 2004 and 2009. In the 2014 general election and in 2019, Kumar contested from Sasaram and lost both times to her nemesis Chhedi Paswan who has defeated her in Sasaram four times.[10]

Following the Congress party's win in the 2004 Indian general elections, Kumar served in the United Progressive Alliance's Government as the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009, under the premiership of Manmohan Singh.[citation needed]

She entered active politics in the year 1985. She has been a Lok Sabha MP five times. She has also been a minister in the central government.[11]

In 2009, the United Progressive Alliance returned to power after an improved performance in the general election and Kumar was, on 22 May 2009, briefly inducted as member of the centre's cabinet as the Minister for Water Resources.[citation needed]

However, she was later nominated for the position of the Speaker of Lok Sabha and she submitted her resignation three days after assuming ministerial office. Kumar was then elected as the first ever woman speaker of Lok Sabha and remained in office from 2009 to 2014.[12][13]

2017 presidential election

[edit]
Main article: 2017 Indian presidential election

Kumar secured the United Progressive Alliance's nomination for the 2017 Indian presidential election, becoming just the third woman to be nominated for president of India by a major political bloc,[a] after Pratibha Patil.[14] Although she received support from most of the major opposition parties for her election to the office, she went on to lose to the National Democratic Alliance nominee Ram Nath Kovind.[15]

Kovind received a total of 2,930 votes (which included both Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assemblies) amounting to electoral college votes of 702,044.[15] He defeated Kumar, who received a total of 1,844 votes amounting to 367,314 votes in terms of electoral college.[16][17]

Party (Alliance) Candidate Electoral Votes Vote Percentage States carried
BJP (NDA)
Ram Nath Kovind 		702,044 65.65% 21
INC (UPA)
Meira Kumar 		367,314 34.35% 10

National Legislators' Conference

[edit]
  • In September 2022, Meira Kumar was appointed as a key patron of NLC Bharat.[18]

Lok Sabha electoral history

[edit]

Meira Kumar has been elected 5 times as Lok Sabha MP.[19] She lost from Sasaram in 2019.

# Term Start Term End Position Party
1. 1985 1989 MP (1st term) in 8th Lok Sabha from Bijnor (by-poll) INC
2. 1996 1998 MP (2nd term) in 11th Lok Sabha from Karol Bagh INC
3. 1998 1999 MP (3rd term) in 12th Lok Sabha from Karol Bagh INC
4. 2004 2009 MP (4th term) in 14th Lok Sabha from Sasaram INC
5. 2009 2014 MP (5th term) in 15th Lok Sabha from Sasaram INC

Explanatory notes

[edit]
  1. ^ While Lakshmi Sahgal was also nominated by the Left Front during the 11th presidential election, she secured only 10 percent of the total votes polled.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Profile: Meira Kumar, first female Dalit Speaker". oneindia.in. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Manoj Tibrewal Aakash interviewed Meira Kumar for DD News's Ek Mulaqat (Full Interview)". Doordarshan News. 26 December 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2019 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "Oppn prez nominee Meira Kumar an acclaimed rifle shooter". Times of India. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Banasthali created a force of empowered women – Times of India". The Times of India. 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Biography] [Lok Sabha". Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d "Detailed profile: Smt. Meira Kumar". Government of India. Retrieved 13 October 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Mariet D'Souza, Shanthie. "Meira Kumar". Britannica. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Law, foreign service, politics: Know Oppn's presidential candidate Meira Kumar". Hindustan Times. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Bijnor(Uttar Pradesh) Lok Sabha Election Results 2014 with Sitting MP and Party Name". Elections.in. Archived from the original on 14 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Election Commission of India, General Elections, 2014 (16th Lok Sabha)" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  11. ^ "Know few things about veteran politician Meira Kumar". Prabhat Khabar. 17 July 2017.
  12. ^ "India: Woman Wins Post of Speaker". The New York Times. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  13. ^ "Meira Kumar brings Jagjivan to fore". The Times of India. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  14. ^ Bhardwaj, Supriya (23 June 2017). "Presidential election: Meira Kumar to file nomination on June 27, thanks Opposition parties for nominating her". India Today. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Kovind first President from Sangh, cross-voting boosts margin". The Times of India. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  16. ^ Sunil Prabhu (21 July 2017). "In Defeat, Opposition's Meira Kumar Breaks 50-Year-Old Record". NDTV. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Presidential Polls: Meira Kumar will challenge Ram Nath Kovind, BSP and SP go with Opposition choice". The Indian Express. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Ex-LS Speakers hold round table discussion to promote PM's mantra to "reform, perform and transform"". ANI News. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Member Profile". Lok Sabha. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Meira Kumar.
Lok Sabha
Preceded by
Chowdhary Girdhari Lal
 Member of Parliament
for Bijnor
1985–1989 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Karol Bagh
1996–1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Sasaram
2004–2014 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
22 May 2004 – 22 May 2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Union Minister of Water Resources
22 May 2009 – 25 May 2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Speaker of the Lok Sabha
4 June 2009 – 4 June 2014 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Meira_Kumar&oldid=1259166101"