About

Arvind Kejriwal, born on August 16, 1968, stands as a prominent Indian political figure and the incumbent Chief Minister of Delhi. His trajectory in public service began with a distinguished career in the Indian Revenue Service, where he served until 2006. Kejriwal's pivotal decision to resign from his role as Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in New Delhi marked the onset of his advocacy for the Right to Information movement, ultimately leading to the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2012. Kejriwal's personal life reflects his commitment to simplicity and public service. He is a devoted practitioner of Vipassan? meditation and a vegetarian. His tenure as Chief Minister, initiated in 2013 after a brief initial term, has been characterized by transformative initiatives, emphasizing grassroots issues, anti-corruption measures, and active citizen participation, thereby reshaping the political landscape in Delhi. His leadership in the Aam Aadmi Party has not only brought electoral success but has also introduced innovative governance models, such as the Mohalla Clinics, aimed at providing accessible healthcare. Arvind Kejriwal's journey reflects a blend of political acumen, social consciousness, and a dedication to ushering in positive change in the Indian political arena.

---

Personal Life

---

Interesting Facts

Engineering Background: Arvind Kejriwal holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. His academic background in engineering is somewhat uncommon for a prominent political figure.

Civil Servant Turned Activist: Kejriwal's journey into politics began after a successful career in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), where he served as an Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax. His decision to resign and focus on social activism, particularly in the realm of transparency and anti-corruption, reflects a significant shift in his career trajectory.

Ramon Magsaysay Award: In 2006, Kejriwal was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership. The award recognized his pivotal role in activating the Right to Information (RTI) movement at the grassroots level, empowering citizens to combat corruption.

Connection with Mother Teresa: During his time in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Kejriwal had the opportunity to meet and work with Mother Teresa. This experience had a profound impact on his outlook and reinforced his commitment to social service.

Founder of AAP: In 2012, Arvind Kejriwal founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a political entity that rapidly gained prominence. The party's symbol, the broom, symbolizes its commitment to "sweeping away" corruption and conventional politics.

Briefest Chief Ministerial Term: After winning the Delhi Chief Ministerial position in 2013, Kejriwal resigned after just 49 days, citing difficulties in passing an anti-corruption bill. This move garnered mixed reactions but demonstrated his commitment to principles over power.

Mohalla Clinics: As Chief Minister, Kejriwal introduced Mohalla Clinics in Delhi, innovative community health centers providing free healthcare services. This initiative aimed to enhance healthcare accessibility and reduce the burden on larger hospitals.

Vipassan? Practitioner: Kejriwal is known for his practice of Vipassan? meditation, a form of mindfulness meditation. This aspect of his personal life reflects a commitment to inner peace and mental well-being.

Vegetarian Lifestyle: Arvind Kejriwal follows a vegetarian lifestyle, aligning with his beliefs in simplicity and non-violence.

Social Media Influence: With a significant following on platforms like Twitter, Kejriwal is recognized as one of the most followed Chief Ministers in India on social media. His online presence has played a role in shaping political discourse.

 

---

Political Timeline

Hon’ble CMO Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal's political timeline reflects key milestones, from the founding of AAP to successive victories in Delhi and significant inroads into Punjab, showcasing his evolving influence on the Indian political landscape.

2000 - Parivartan Movement: Kejriwal, along with Manish Sisodia and others, founded the Parivartan movement, focusing on citizens' grievances related to public services, corruption, and social welfare.

2006 - Resignation from IRS: Kejriwal resigned from the Indian Revenue Service to focus on social activism. He established the Public Cause Research Foundation to promote transparent governance.

2006 - Ramon Magsaysay Award: Awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his contribution to the Parivartan movement and his role in promoting the Right to Information (RTI) at the grassroots level.

2011 - India Against Corruption (IAC): Joined activists like Anna Hazare and Kiran Bedi to form India Against Corruption. The movement aimed to combat corruption and led to the drafting of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

2012 - Formation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): In November, Kejriwal formally launched the Aam Aadmi Party, with the goal of providing a political alternative focused on anti-corruption and common people's issues.

2013 - Chief Minister of Delhi (First Term): AAP contested the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, and Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi in December. However, he resigned after 49 days, citing difficulties in passing the Jan Lokpal Bill.

2015 - Chief Minister of Delhi (Second Term): AAP won a historic mandate in the Delhi elections, winning 67 out of 70 seats. Kejriwal assumed office as Chief Minister for the second time.

2016 - Surgical Strikes Controversy: Kejriwal faced criticism for questioning the authenticity of surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army, leading to a political controversy.

2020 - Chief Minister of Delhi (Third Term): AAP secured a majority in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, and Kejriwal took the oath as Chief Minister for the third consecutive term.

2022 - Punjab Victory: AAP, under Kejriwal's leadership, achieved significant success in the Punjab Legislative Assembly elections, marking a major political expansion beyond Delhi.

2023 - Attack on Residence: In March, Kejriwal's official residence was attacked by BJP supporters, leading to accusations and demands for a thorough investigation.

---

Awards

Ashoka Fellow (2004): Recognized for his contributions to social activism.

Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award (2005): Presented by IIT Kanpur for his exemplary work.

Ramon Magsaysay Award (2006): Conferred for his involvement in the Parivartan movement, utilizing right-to-information legislation in the campaign against government corruption.

Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership (2006): Recognized for activating the RTI movement at the grassroots and empowering New Delhi's citizens to combat corruption.

Indian of the Year Award (2006): Awarded by CNN-IBN for his notable contributions.

Distinguished Alumnus Award (2009): Presented by IIT Kharagpur in recognition of his achievements.

Grant and Fellowship (2009): Awarded by the Association for India’s Development.

Policy Change Agent of the Year (2010): Recognized by The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence.

Indian of the Year Award (2011): Alongside Anna Hazare, received from NDTV for their impactful contributions.

---

Founded Organization

Parivartan (1999): Co-founded while still in service with the Income Tax Department, addressing citizens' grievances related to public distribution, social welfare schemes, and more.

Kabir (2005): A registered NGO focusing on RTI and participatory governance, co-founded with Manish Sisodia.

Public Cause Research Foundation (2006): Established to campaign for transparent governance and funded with Kejriwal's Ramon Magsaysay Award prize money.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) (2012): Launched to bring about political

---