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Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar is a senior Indian politician and the present Chief Minister of Bihar. This is his fifth term at the office and he has served as the Chief Minister of Bihar from 2005 to 2014. Nitish Kumar is the member of the Janata Dal (United) Party and has served as the Union Minister of India. He has been credited for initiating series of developmental and infrastructural reforms in Bihar, one of the most backward states in the country. Appointment of teachers in schools, initiating and implementing healthcare reforms, cutting female illiteracy into half, re-laying of roads, keeping a check on crime in the state, doubling the income of the average Bihari are few of the developmental reforms initiated by him in the state of Bihar, making him one of the most popular leaders in the state. The cumulative growth rate of GDP during his tenure as the Chief Ministers is higher than other Chief Ministers of the country in the same period. On May 2014, after his party's poor performance in the 2014 General Elections, Nitish Kumar resigned from his post taking the responsibility for the party's performance and was succeeded by Jitan Ram Manjhi. He returned to office in February 2015 after winning the state elections in November 2015. This is his fifth tenure as the Chief Minister (3rd March 2000 - 10th March 2000, 2005-2010, 2010-2014, February 2015 - 19th November 2015 and 20th November 2015 till present). He was also elected as the National President of his party on 10th April 2016. His political career includes different important positions in the state as well as in the parliament and includes his membership in different committees at different point in time. Hailing from the family of Kurmi, Nitish Kumar was born on 1st March 1951 in a place called Bakhtiyarpur, 50km from Bihar's capital city - Patna. His father Ram Lakhan Singh was a well known figure in the area and he worked in ayurvedic medicine. His mother was Smt. Parmeshwari Devi. Nitish Kumar's father was freedom fighter and was close to one of the founders of modern Bihar and Bihar Vibhuti Shri Anugrah Narayan Sinha. Ram Lakhan Singh was a member of the Indian National Congress but he left the party after the party denied him the ticket in 1952 and 1957 General Elections. He later joined Janata Party. Nitish Kumar's ancestral home is in a village called Kalyanbigha, which is adjacent to Bakhtiyapur. He did schooling from Bakhtiyapur completing matriculation and later studied in Patna Science College. Thereafter he completed his degree course in Electrical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering (now known as NIT Patna). After completing his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Nitish Kumar worked with Bihar State Electricity Board for some time before joining politics. Nitish was highly inspired by Jaiprakash Narayan which initiated his entry into active politics. In the year 1974 he demonstrated a key role in the JP movement and came in contact with some of the senior politicians of that time like Satyendra Narayan Sinha, Kapoori Thakur, Ram Manohar Lohia, V.P. Singh and George Fernandes. Nitish belongs to a socialist class of politicians. In 1977, he contested for the first time as a member of the Janata Party in the assembly elections. He was elected as the member of the legislative assembly of Bihar in 1985 and in 1986 he was the member of the committee on petitions in the Legislative Assembly of Bihar. From 1987 to 1988, Nitish Kumar was the president of the Lok Dal for the state of Bihar and in 1989 he became Janata Dal's Secretary General in Bihar. He was elected as the member of Lok Sabha for the first time in 1989 and was re-elected as a member of Lok Sabha for the second time in 1991. From 1991 to 1993 he was the general secretary of the Janata Dal and became the deputy leader of the party in Parliament. He also had the portfolio of the Union Miniter for Railways and Minister for Surface Transport under the NDA government lead by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998. He was appointed the Minister for Agriculture in 1998-99. As a Railway Minister, he brought reforms like internet ticket booking facility, opening a record number of railway ticket booking counters and introducing the Tatkal scheme for instant booking. In August 1999, taking the responsibility for the Gaisal Train Disaster he resigned as Minister of Railways. He held the post again from 2001 to May 2004. In 2004 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from two places. Though he was elected from Nalanda but lost from his traditional constituency of Barh. This was his sixth term as a member of Lok Sabha and he was the leader of the Janata Dala (U) in the parliament. In this term, he held memberships in General Purposes Committee, Committee on Coal and Steel, Committee on Privileges and Joint Committee on the Constitution. He became the Chief Minister of Bihar in November 2005 and continued as the CM till 2010. During this tenure, Nitish Kumar's government initiated the bicycle and meal program through which the government gave bicycles to girls who stayed in school which led to a considerable rise in the number of girls enrolled at the various government schools and reduced school drop out rates. In 2010, Nitish Kumar came back to power along with their allies of the time - Bharatiya Janata Party and on 26th November 2010 Nitish Kumar took the oath as a Chief Minister of Bihar. This was his second consecutive term as Chief Minister of Bihar. After the poor performance of the party in 2014 elections, Nitish Kumar resigned from the position of Chief Minister on 17th May 2014 and was succeeded by Jitan Ram Manjhi. Nitish Kumar again assumed office of the Chief Minister on 22nd February 2015. In the Bihar assembly elections of 2015, Nitish Kumar's JDU along with RJD and Congress formed the Mahagathbandhan to counter BJP in Bihar. The grand alliance won the assembly with a huge margin of 178 seats against 58 seats of BJP and its allies. He was sworn in as a Chief Minister on 20th November 2015 for a record fifth time. Nitish Kumar married Manju Sinha on 22nd February 1973. His wife was a teacher by profession and she died in 2007 when she was 53 years old. They have a son, Nishant who is a graduate from BIT Mesra. In 2007, CNN-IBN and Hindustan Times recognized him as the Best Chief Minister and in 2008, CNN-IBN honoured him as the Great Indian of the Year in political category. The Economic Times in 2009 recognized him as the Business Reformer of the year. In 2011, XLRI Jamshedpur bestowed him with "Sir Jehangir Gandhi Medal". The Foreign Policy Magazine ranked him 77 among the top hundred global thinkers. A non-smoker and teetotaler, Nitish Kumar's favourite pastimes include reading books and watching films. Of the many initiatives launched by him after his coming to term recently, the most famous and audacious ones remains of declaring Bihar a dry state.

Won't Leave Without Share: Upendra Kushwaha After Nitish Kumar Asks Him to Quit JD(U)
India.com News Desk | January 27, 2023 11:10 AM IST
Kushwaha returned to the JD(U) in 2021, eight years after quitting, merging his Rashtriya Lok
Won't Leave Without Share: Upendra Kushwaha After Nitish Kumar Asks Him to Quit JD(U)
indiacom
2023-01-27T00:10:08+00:00
2023-01-27T00:10:08+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Ganga Villas Cruise Reached Patna as Per Schedule, Report of it Being Stuck in Bihar Untrue, Says IWAI
Victor Dasgupta | January 16, 2023 6:43 PM IST
The luxury triple-deck cruise will travel on the world's longest waterway from Varanasi to
Ganga Villas Cruise Reached Patna as Per Schedule, Report of it Being Stuck in Bihar Untrue, Says IWAI
indiacom
2023-01-16T07:43:10+00:00
2023-01-16T11:17:22+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
BPSC Recruitment 2023: Notification Released To Recruit 61 Associate Professor and Professor | Notification Here
Victor Dasgupta | January 9, 2023 7:01 PM IST
The application process will commence on January 20, 2023, and the deadline for the submission of
BPSC Recruitment 2023: Notification Released To Recruit 61 Associate Professor and Professor | Notification H
indiacom
2023-01-09T08:01:40+00:00
2023-01-09T08:01:40+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Covid Alert in Bihar: Random Testing at Airports, Railway Stations; Guidelines Issues To Hospitals
Victor Dasgupta | December 22, 2022 10:09 PM IST
The authorities have also directed to hold random testing at airports, railway stations, and
Covid Alert in Bihar: Random Testing at Airports, Railway Stations; Guidelines Issues To Hospitals
indiacom
2022-12-22T11:09:26+00:00
2022-12-22T14:27:54+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
'Piyoge Toh Maroge', Says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar As He Denies Compensation For Hooch Tragedy Victims
India.com News Desk | December 16, 2022 3:11 PM IST
The BJP has been attacking Nitish Kumar for his remark "Jo piyega woh marega" and sought his
'Piyoge Toh Maroge', Says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar As He Denies Compensation For Hooch Tragedy Victims
indiacom
2022-12-16T04:11:46+00:00
2022-12-16T04:29:09+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
'Kya Ho Gaya...Chup Raho': Nitish Goes Berserk Inside Assembly After Hooch Kills 17 in Chhapra | Video
India.com News Desk | December 14, 2022 2:37 PM IST
Nitish Kumar Loses Cool in Bihar Assembly: "Kya ho Gaya, jehrili sharab, halla kar rahe ho tum
'Kya Ho Gaya...Chup Raho': Nitish Goes Berserk Inside Assembly After Hooch Kills 17 in Chhapra | Video
indiacom
2022-12-14T03:37:40+00:00
2022-12-14T03:51:44+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Har Ghar Ganga Jal in Bihar: All you Need To Know About Nitish's Popular Scheme
India.com News Desk | November 27, 2022 11:04 AM IST
Nitish Kumar will launch his dream project --"Har Ghar Ganga Jal" today from Rajgir to resolve the
Har Ghar Ganga Jal in Bihar: All you Need To Know About Nitish's Popular Scheme
indiacom
2022-11-27T00:04:33+00:00
2022-11-27T00:18:18+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
12 Killed, Several Injured As A truck Rams Into Crowd In Bihar's Vaishali; PM Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia
India.com News Desk | November 21, 2022 6:30 AM IST
According to reports, people had gathered to witness the Puja procession of Bhuaiyan Baba.
12 Killed, Several Injured As A truck Rams Into Crowd In Bihar's Vaishali; PM Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia
indiacom
2022-11-20T19:30:51+00:00
2022-11-20T21:25:26+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
‘Motiabind Nahin Modiabind’: Says One Who Helped Narendra Modi-led BJP To Absolute Majority In 2014
Tahir Qureshi | November 13, 2022 6:09 PM IST
This is not "motiabind" (cataract), it is Modiabind in which things that are close are not visible.
‘Motiabind Nahin Modiabind’: Says One Who Helped Narendra Modi-led BJP To Absolute Majority In 2014
indiacom
2022-11-13T07:09:57+00:00
2022-11-13T07:09:57+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Ramvriksha Sada, Bihar’s Poorest MLA, Bursts Into Tears On Receiving New Govt Home | Watch
Tahir Qureshi | October 30, 2022 10:53 AM IST
Ramvriksha Sada from Alauli in Khagaria is touted as the "poorest MLA in the Bihar Assembly" and
Ramvriksha Sada, Bihar’s Poorest MLA, Bursts Into Tears On Receiving New Govt Home | Watch
indiacom
2022-10-29T23:53:51+00:00
2022-10-29T23:53:51+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Might Not Campaign For By-Polls Next Week, Says Still Recovering From Boat Injuries
Shrimansi Kaushik | October 27, 2022 11:09 PM IST
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says he might not campaign for by-polls to be held on November 3,
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Might Not Campaign For By-Polls Next Week, Says Still Recovering From Boat Injuries
indiacom
2022-10-27T12:09:10+00:00
2022-10-27T12:20:27+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Chhath Puja 2022: 124 Trains To Run For Bihar From Several Cities, Hassle-Free Return Journey | Check List Here
Tahir Qureshi | October 26, 2022 8:45 AM IST
Railways will run 124 Puja special trains for those going to Bihar on the occasion of Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja 2022: 124 Trains To Run For Bihar From Several Cities, Hassle-Free Return Journey | Check List He
indiacom
2022-10-25T21:45:57+00:00
2022-10-25T21:45:57+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Class 9 Pass Wishing To Be Chief Minister: Prashant Kishor’s Sardonic Attack On Tejashwi Yadav
India.com News Desk | October 9, 2022 12:03 AM IST
Patna: Poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Saturday said that Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav is
Class 9 Pass Wishing To Be Chief Minister: Prashant Kishor’s Sardonic Attack On Tejashwi Yadav
indiacom
2022-10-08T13:03:48+00:00
2022-10-08T13:03:48+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Bihar School Girl Chided By IAS Officer On Sanitary Pads Query To Get One Year Free Supply From Delhi Based Firm
India.com News Desk | October 1, 2022 3:49 PM IST
Patna: A Delhi-based firm has come forward to provide free sanitary pads to the Bihar school girl
Bihar School Girl Chided By IAS Officer On Sanitary Pads Query To Get One Year Free Supply From Delhi Based F
indiacom
2022-10-01T04:49:03+00:00
2022-10-01T04:49:03+00:00
Nitish Kumar
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"Want Free Condoms Too?": Bihar Officer Loses Cool On Student's Free Sanitary Pad Query | WATCH
India.com News Desk | September 28, 2022 6:21 PM IST
Responding strongly to the officer's remark, the student then reminded her that people make the
"Want Free Condoms Too?": Bihar Officer Loses Cool On Student's Free Sanitary Pad Query | WATCH
indiacom
2022-09-28T07:21:47+00:00
2022-09-28T08:06:24+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Operation Opposition Unity: Sonia Gandhi Asks Nitish Kumar And Lalu Yadav To Meet Again After Congress Internal Election
India.com News Desk | September 25, 2022 7:50 PM IST
In the run-up to the mega electoral battle of 2024, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD
Operation Opposition Unity: Sonia Gandhi Asks Nitish Kumar And Lalu Yadav To Meet Again After Congress Intern
indiacom
2022-09-25T08:50:14+00:00
2022-09-25T08:50:14+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Bihar Free of Maoists, Says CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh; Home Minister Amit Shah Applauds Forces' Achievement
India.com News Desk | September 21, 2022 9:01 PM IST
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Zero tolerance policy of Home Ministry against terrorism and
Bihar Free of Maoists, Says CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh; Home Minister Amit Shah Applauds Forces' Achievement
indiacom
2022-09-21T10:01:01+00:00
2022-09-21T12:51:47+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Video: Villagers' Houses Washed Away in Bihar's Bhagalpur Due to Unabated Erosion | Watch
India.com News Desk | September 20, 2022 4:40 PM IST
Bihar: Villagers in Bhagalpur district continue to bear the brunt as their houses get washed away
Video: Villagers' Houses Washed Away in Bihar's Bhagalpur Due to Unabated Erosion | Watch
indiacom
2022-09-20T05:40:16+00:00
2022-09-20T05:40:16+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Begusarai Firing: Seems To Be A Conspiracy As People Of Most Backward Caste Were Targeted, Says Nitish Kumar
India.com News Desk | September 14, 2022 9:56 PM IST
Bihar CM Reaction to Begusarai Firing: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made a statement on
Begusarai Firing: Seems To Be A Conspiracy As People Of Most Backward Caste Were Targeted, Says Nitish Kumar
indiacom
2022-09-14T10:56:47+00:00
2022-09-14T10:56:47+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com
Bihar Government Removes Patna ADM Who Beat Up Protesting Teaching Job Aspirant | Video Inside
India.com News Desk | September 14, 2022 8:53 PM IST
Patna: In a major move, the Bihar government on Wednesday removed Patna Additional District
Bihar Government Removes Patna ADM Who Beat Up Protesting Teaching Job Aspirant | Video Inside
indiacom
2022-09-14T09:53:38+00:00
2022-09-14T09:53:38+00:00
Nitish Kumar
India.com