Tamilisai Soundararajan

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Dr.
Tamilisai Soundararajan
Dr-Tamilisai-Soundararajan.jpg
2nd Governor of Telangana
Assumed office
8 September 2019
Chief MinisterK. Chandrasekhar Rao
Preceded byE. S. L. Narasimhan
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
(Additional Charge)
Assumed office
18 February 2021
Chief MinisterV. Narayanasamy
N. Rangaswamy
Preceded byKiran Bedi
President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Nadu
In office
16 August 2014 – 1 September 2019
Preceded byPon Radhakrishnan
Succeeded byL. Murugan
Director (Independent Charge),
Bharat Petroleum Corporation of India[1]
In office
16 September 2017 – 1 September 2019
National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party
In office
2013–2014
Vice-President of Bharatiya Janata Party (Tamil Nadu)
In office
2010–2013
General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (Tamil Nadu)
In office
2007–2010
All India Co-Convenor of Bharatiya Janata Party Medical Wing (Southern States)
In office
2005–2007
General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party Medical Wing (Tamil Nadu)
In office
2001–2005
Personal details
Born (1961-06-02) 2 June 1961 (age 60)[2]
Kaliyakkavilai, Kanyakumari, Madras State, India
(present-day Tamil Nadu)
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)Dr. P. Soundararajan
Children2
Parent(s)Kumari Ananthan (Father)
ResidenceChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Alma materMadras Medical College (MBBS)
Profession
  • Physician
  • politician

Tamilisai Soundararajan (born 2 June 1961) is an Indian politician serving as the 2nd and current Governor of Telangana, also current Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (Additional charge) as of 18 February 2021. She was the National Secretary and Tamil Nadu State Unit President of the BJP prior to this appointment.[3][4]

Personal life and education[]

She was born in Kaliyakkavilai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu on 2 June 1961.[5] Her father Kumari Ananthan,[6] is a former Member of Parliament and senior congress party leader in Tamil Nadu. Her husband, Mr. Soundarajan, is a medical doctor.[7] Her paternal cousin is actor and businessman turned politician Vijay Vasanth.

She started her higher graduation at Ethiraj College for Women, followed by pursuing her MBBS at Madras Medical College, Chennai[8] and her obstetrics and gynaecology qualifications at Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai. She did higher training in sonology and FET therapy in Canada.

Prior to political commitment she worked as an assistant professor at Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai for 5 years.[8] She has two children, a boy and a girl, both are doctors.

As recognition for her dedicated service to the society and general public and promoting gender equality women empowerment, she was awarded “ International Rising Star of the Year – 2018” by multi Ethnic advisory task force, USA operating under US Congressman Danny. K. Davis.[9][10]

Political career[]

Soundararajan presenting books to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Soundararajan became interested in politics from childhood, having been brought up in a political family.[11] She was elected as a student leader during her studies at Madras Medical College. She served the Tamil Nadu state BJP unit in various capacities starting from South Chennai District Medical Wing Secretary in 1999, State General Secretary Medical Wing in 2001, All India Co-Convenor (Medical Wing For Southern States)[12] in 2005, State General Secretary in 2007, State Vice-President in 2010 and elevated as National Secretary, All India BJP in 2013[13].[14]

She was appointed as the Governor of Telangana on 1 September 2019 by the order of the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind and currently is also 1st woman to hold the office of the state. She took charge as Governor of Telangana on 9 September 2019. She was given additional charge of Puducherry (union territory) on 16th February 2021 and is fifth woman to hold the office of the Union Territory[15].[16]

Soundararajan has lost in all her attempts at becoming an MP or MLA to date, having contested two Assembly elections and Parliament elections unsuccessfully. In the 2019 Indian general election, she lost against Kanimozhi, daughter of M Karunanidhi from Thoothukkudi.[17][18] She extensively campaigned in parliament and assembly elections across the state.[19]

Media[]

She conducted a programme promoting the oratory Skills for students and children, which was broadcast on the Tamil channel Raj TV for more than 10 years.[8] She conducted a weekly programme for women in "Doordarshan" Channel which was aired as Magalir Panchayat (Women's Court) for over 5 years. She Participated in several political debates against other political leaders including Sun TV, NDTV, Times Now and various local channels.[8]

Elections contested[]

Lok Sabha Elections[]

Elections Constituency Party Result Vote percentage Opposition Candidate Opposition Party Opposition vote percentage
2009 Chennai Vadakku BJP Lost 3.54 T. K. S. Elangovan DMK 42.59
2019 Thoothukkudi BJP Lost 21.77 Kanimozhi Karunanidhi DMK 56.77

Tamil Nadu Legislative Elections[]

Elections Constituency Party Result Vote percentage Opposition Candidate Opposition Party Opposition vote percentage
2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Radhapuram BJP Lost 4.71 M. Appavu DMK 43.37
2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Velachery BJP Lost 4.63 M. K. Ashok AIADMK 53.91
2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Virugambakkam BJP Lost 11.19 V. N. Virugai Ravi AIADMK 38.51

Positions[]

Women rights[]

Soundararajan is a supporter of the #metoo movement and has emphasised that any women who had faced sexual harassment should get justice.[20]

Temple management[]

Soundarajan has asserted that temples must be managed by committees formed of devotees of the temple and consist of theists.[21]

References[]

  1. ^ "Tamilisai on BPCL board". The Hindu. 16 September 2017 – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. ^ Jun 2, C. D. S. Mani | TNN | Updated; 2016; Ist, 20:33. "Tamilisai Soundararajan vows to take Modi govt schemes to all villages in TN - Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Tamilisai Sounderrajan appointed BJP TNEB unit president". The Hindu. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  4. ^ "New BJP chiefs for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Assam". The Economic Times/Times of India. PTI. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Telangana State Portal Governor". www.telangana.gov.in. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  6. ^ "The Hindu News Update Service". The Hindu. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Dr Tamilisai Soudrarajan: Age, Biography, Education, Husband, Caste, Net Worth & More - Oneindia". www.oneindia.com.
  8. ^ a b c d "Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan".
  9. ^ Bodiwala, Suresh (31 October 2018). "Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force Hosted 8th Annual Congressional award function with Glittering of Chicago stars". Daily Herald. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Governor selected for global women of excellence award". The Hindu. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  11. ^ Sudha (29 November 2013). "Tamilisai Soundararajan opens her mind | நான் டுமிழிசை செளந்தரராஜன் பேசுகிறேன் ! - Oneindia Tamil" (in Tamil). Tamil.oneindia.in. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Bharatiya Jalsa Party". Bjp.org. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Who is Tamilisai Soundararajan? All you need to know about Puducherry's new LG". Free Press Journal. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Jual Oram appointed as BJP's national Vice President, Dharmendra Pradhan as General Secretary". Orissadiary.com. 31 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Tamilisai Soundararajan sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry". The Indian Express. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Kiran Bedi removed as Puducherry LG amid political crisis in Union territory". 16 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Dr. Tamilisai Soundrarajan(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- VELACHERY(CHENNAI) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". Myneta.info. 14 June 2004. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  18. ^ "News Today". www.maalaisudar.com. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  19. ^ "After 'chai', now a NaMo fish stall in Chennai". Mangaloretoday.com. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  20. ^ "Tamilisai backs sexual abuse victims". The Hindu. 12 October 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  21. ^ Staff Reporter (13 February 2018). "Only the devout must manage temples: BJP". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Telangana
8 September 2019 – Present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Kiran Bedi
 28th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
2021–Present 		Incumbent
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