Kalikho Pul: Rise from a remote village to Chief Minister's chair

Itanagar, Feb 19: Hailing from a border village in remote Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China, Kalikho Pul trekked a long way in his political career to became the eighth chief minister of the state.

Representing Hayuliang Assembly constituency, Pul has the distinction of being the longest serving Finance Minister of the state under various chief ministers including Gegong Apang, Mukut Mithi and Late Dorjee Khandu.

Born in July 20, 1969 to Tailum Pul and Koranlu Pul at Walla Village under Hawai circle of Anjaw district, Kalikho did his graduation in humanities from Indira Gandhi Government College at Tezu in Lohit district.

With spouse Dangwimsai Pul, Kalikho is the proud father of five sons. His political innings started in 1995 when he was elected as an MLA from Hayuliang constituency and became the minister of state for Finance in the Mukut Mithi government.

There was no looking back for Kalikho as he won from the constituency consecutively for five terms and served minister of state for Power, Finance, Land Management. He was cabinet minister for departments like Health and Finance and Planning, RWD, Taxation, Fisheries and Law & Justice and Women and Child Development, Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs.

He was also the executive member of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee for 13 years and Pradesh Election Committee Member for 7 years.

He travelled extensively through the length and breadth of India and had visited countries like England, Brazil, France, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Kalikho is interested in reading, travelling and sports including chess and badminton. He has also special interest in social service, community service, attending poor and destitute persons.

PTI