Selja Kumari

Selja Kumari was born on 24 September 1962 in Chandigarh to Chaudhary Dalbir Singh, a prominent politician and former Union Minister, and Kalawati. Her upbringing in a politically active family provided her with early exposure to public service and social issues. Selja pursued her education at the Convent of Jesus & Mary in New Delhi before completing her higher studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh, where she earned an M.A. and M.Phil.

Her political career began in 1990 when she became the President of the Mahila Congress, marking her entry into active politics. In 1991, she was elected to the 10th Lok Sabha, representing Haryana. This marked the start of a long and influential parliamentary career. She served on several parliamentary committees, including the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarian Steering Committee, and was elected Chairperson of the Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS).

From 1992 to 1996, Selja held ministerial positions in the Ministry of Human Resource Development, first as Union Deputy Minister and later as Union Minister of State. During this time, she worked extensively on education and cultural initiatives. She was re-elected to the 11th Lok Sabha in 1996 and continued to play an important role within the Congress Party, serving as Secretary and Spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

In 2004, Selja was re-elected to the 14th Lok Sabha for her third term. She took on greater responsibilities in the government, becoming Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Her focus during this period was on addressing urban housing challenges and poverty alleviation. In 2007, she was elected President of the 21st Governing Council of UN Habitat, an international recognition of her work in urban planning and housing.

In 2009, Selja was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha, marking her fourth term in Parliament. She was appointed as Union Cabinet Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and later as Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment. She held this role until 2014, working on policies aimed at improving the welfare of marginalized communities.

In October 2012, Selja became Union Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, a role she held until January 2014, when she was elected to the Rajya Sabha. She served as a member of the Rajya Sabha until 2020, contributing to discussions and policymaking on social justice, tourism, transport, and culture.

In September 2019, she took charge as the President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, a role she held until 2022. She was also appointed to the Congress Working Committee and the Congress Steering Committee, highlighting her importance within the party's decision-making bodies. In December 2022, she became the General Secretary of the AICC and continues to hold these significant responsibilities.

In June 2024, Selja Kumari was elected to the 18th Lok Sabha, continuing her long political journey. In August 2024, she became a member of the Committee on Estimates, reflecting her extensive experience and dedication to public service.

Her personal life is deeply rooted in her passion for public service and her family’s legacy of political leadership. Despite her busy political career, she has a strong commitment to social causes, particularly in the areas of women’s empowerment, housing for the underprivileged, and social justice for marginalized communities. She is also known for her interest in socio-economic, environmental, and habitat-related issues.

An avid reader, Selja enjoys exploring books on contemporary economic and political topics, as well as environmental concerns. She has a love for travelling, particularly to untouched and unexplored destinations, and is known for her wide taste in music, appreciating various genres.

She is a member of prestigious institutions like the India Habitat Centre and the India International Centre, and a life member of the National Rifle Association of India. Her social and cultural activities have included work on heritage conservation, urban planning, and advocacy for inclusive growth in developing countries.

Her commitment to the upliftment of marginalized groups, her dedication to public service, and her focus on important socio-political issues have defined her political and personal life, making her one of the most prominent leaders in Indian politics.

In addition, her net worth stands at Rs 42,06,55,803, and she has no criminal record.