Smriti Irani

Smriti Irani
Minister of Human Resource Development
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 May 2014
Prime Minister	Narendra Modi
Preceded by	Pallam Raju
Vice-President of Bharatiya Janata Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 2014
President	Amit Shah
Member of Parliament for Gujarat
Incumbent
Assumed office 2011
Personal details
Born	23 March 1976 New Delhi, Delhi, India
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)	Zubin Irani
Residence	New Delhi
Occupation	Politician, actor
Religion	Hinduism

Smriti Zubin Irani (née Malhotra, born 23 March 1976) is an Indian politician, former model, television actress and producer. She is the current Minister of Human Resource Development in the Government of India.^[1][2] Irani represents the state of Gujarat as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.

Early life and education

Irani was born in Delhi in a Khatri Brahmin family.^[3] She is the eldest of three sisters.^[4][5] She has been a "part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from childhood" as her grandfather was an RSS swayamsevak and her mother a member of Jana Sangh.^[6] She graduated class 12 from Holy Child Auxilium School in New Delhi.^[7][8]

Acting career

Irani was one of the finalists of the beauty pageant Miss India 1998, along with Gauri Pradhan Tejwani.^[9][10][11] In 1998, Irani appeared in a song "Boliyan" of the album "Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag" with Mika Singh.^[12][13] In 2000, she made her début with TV series Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal, both aired on Star Plus. In mid-2000, Irani won the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus. She holds the record of winning five consecutive Indian Television Academy Awards for Best Actress (Popular), four Indian Telly Awards. Irani had a fallout with the producer Ekta Kapoor and she left the show in June 2007 and was replaced by Gautami Kapoor. She made her comeback in May 2008 in a special episode.^[14]

In 2001, she also played the mythological character Sita in Zee TV's Ramayan. In 2006, Irani co-produced the show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan under her banner Ugraya Entertainment and Balaji Telefilms. She also played the lead role of Uma in it. In 2007, she produced the TV serial Virrudh for Sony TV and also portrayed the lead character of Vasudha in it. She also produced Mere Apne for 9X and portrayed the protagonist alongside Vinod Khanna. She also acted in a supporting role in Zee TV's Teen Bahuraaniyaan.^[15]

In 2008, Irani along with Sakshi Tanwar hosted the show Yeh Hai Jalwa, a dance based reality show featuring celebrities along with their troops on 9X. In the same year she also produced another show on Zee TV, Waaris which ended in 2009. In 2009, she appeared in a comedy show Maniben.com, aired on SAB TV. She also co-produced the show in collaboration with Contiloe Entertainment. In 2012, she also worked in Bengali movie Amrita^[16][17]

Political career

Irani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee at the Conference of Chairmen of Boards of Governors, and Directors of IITs at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 22 August 2014.

Irani and Prime Minister Modi at an informal interaction with awardee teachers on the eve of teachers day, in New Delhi.

Irani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003.^[18] She became vice-president of the Maharashtra Youth Wing in 2004.^[19] In the 2004 general elections for the 14th Lok Sabha, she contested unsuccessfully against Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi. She was nominated as executive member of the central committee of the BJP.^[20][21] In December 2004, Irani threatened to "fast unto death" until then Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi resigned, blaming him for BJP's electoral losses.^[22] However she later retracted this demand after BJP's central leadership threatened to take action against her.^[23][24] In May 2009, Irani while campaigning for Vijay Goel's candidature in New Delhi, voiced her concerns about the safety of women in the capital. She advocated capital punishment for rapists as a deterrent.^[25]

In early 2010, Irani was appointed National Secretary of BJP and on 24 June, she was appointed All India President of the BJP's women's wing, BJP Mahila Morcha.^[18][26] In August 2011, she was sworn in as a member of parliament from Gujarat to the Rajya Sabha.^[27][28][29]

Irani contested the 2014 general elections against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh.^[30] Irani lost to Gandhi by 1,07,923 votes, a 12.32% margin.^[31][32] On 26 May 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed her as the Minister of Human Resource Development in his cabinet.^[1][33] Her appointment was criticised by many people owing to her lack of formal higher education.^[34][35][36]

Irani has been accused of misrepresenting her educational qualifications.^[37] Conflicting affidavits were allegedly submitted by her while filing for different elections.^[38] In June 2015, a lower court held that the allegations against Irani were maintainable and a delay in prosecution was not a valid reason for dismissal.^[39] Irani asked people to file a PIL about her educational qualification to know about the truth behind the affidavit controversy.^[40]

Irani was accused of favouritism towards Vishram Jamdar, a self-proclaimed `RSS person' and a regional Sangh Parivar leader, for appointment as the Chairman of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur.^[41][42]

Irani made a speech in Parliament in which she discussed the 2016 JNU sedition controversy and the Suicide of Rohith Vemula.^[43] University of Hyderabad doctor Rajashree M contradicted some claims made by Irani regarding the circumstances of Rohith's death.^[44]

Personal life

In 2001, Smriti married Zubin Irani, a Parsi businessman.^[45][46] In October of the same year, the couple had their first child, a son named Zohr.^[47] In September 2003, the couple had their second child, a daughter named Zoish. Smriti is also a stepmother to Shanelle who is Zubin Irani's daughter from his previous marriage with coordinator and former beauty contestant Mona Irani.^[9]

Works and appearances

Irani walks the ramp in fashion designer Manish Malhotra & Shaina NC's fundraiser organised for Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA).

Television

Year	Show	Character	Channel
2000-08	Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi	Tulsi Mihir Virani	Star Plus
	Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal		Star Plus
2000	Kavita	Kavita	Star Plus
2001–03	Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat	Smriti	Sony TV
2001–03	Kuch... Diiil Se	Host	SAB TV
2001–02	Ramayan	Seeta	Zee TV
2006–07	Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan	Uma	Star Plus
2007–08	Virrudh	Vasudha Sushant Sharma	Sony TV
2007–08	Mere Apne	Sharda	9X
2007–08	Teen Bahuraaniyaan	Vrinda	Zee TV
2008	Yeh Hai Jalwa	Host (Along with Sakshi Tanwar)	9X
2008	Waaris	Producer	Zee TV
2009–2010	Maniben.com	Maniben Jamankumar Patel	SAB TV
2012	Savdhaan India[48]	Host	Life OK
2013	Ek Thhi Naayka	Swati	Life OK

Theatre projects

Projects	Language	Character
Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein	Hindi	Sargam
Maniben.com	Gujarati	Mani
Koi Taru Bau Saru Thayu	Gujarati	Devika
Muktidhaam	Gujarati	Mother
Garv Thi Kaho Ame Gujarati Chhiye	Gujarati	Mridula

Films

Year	Film	Character	Language
2010	Malik Ek	Personification of Dwarkamai	Hindi
2011	Jai Bolo Telangana	Activist	Telugu
2012	Amrita		Bengali

Awards

Year	Award Function	Category	Show
2001	Indian Television Academy Awards	ITA Award for Best Actress-Drama (Popular)	Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
2002	Indian Television Academy Awards	ITA Award for Best Actress-Drama (Popular)
	Indian Telly Awards	Best Actress (Popular)
2003	Indian Television Academy Awards	ITA Award for Best Actress-Drama (Popular)
	Indian Telly Awards	Best Actress (Popular)
		Best TV Personality
2004	Indian Television Academy Awards	Best Actress (Popular)
2005	Indian Television Academy Awards	ITA Award for Best Actress-Drama (Popular)
2007	Indian Telly Awards	Best Actress (Jury)	Virrudh
2010	Indian Television Academy Awards	ITA Milestone Award	Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

References

1. "Modi's complete cabinet: Jaitley gets Finance, Smriti Human Resources". Firstpost. 27 May 2014.
2. "Smriti Irani Life Facts". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 27 May 2014.
3. "All the PM’s Men and Women: 23 Cabinet ministers". The Indian Express. 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
4. "Change of role, anyone?". Hindustan Times. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
5. "Rise of Smriti Irani: Journey from bahu of TV to BJP's Vice President". The Economic Times. 1 November 2013.
6. "RSS is like a home to me, says Smriti Irani". Jagran Post. 18 Apr 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
7. "'Class 12 pass' and education minister?". First Post. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
8. "Smriti goes back to School". TOI.
9. "Smriti Irani: From model to TV’s favourite bahu to Cabinet minister". Firstpost. 26 May 2014.
10. "The Smriti of yesterday". India Today. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
11. "A little too fat". Daily News & Analysis. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
12. Smriti Irani's transition from an aspiring model to a successful politician
13. "Viral music video: BJP’s Amethi candidate Smriti Irani dancing with singer Mika Singh". Daily Bhaskar. 7 April 2014.
14. Interview with Smriti Irani
15. "Playing Tulsi and Sita with elan". The Tribune. 10 March 2002. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
16. "Smriti Irani to debut in Bengali film industry". Hindustan Times. 23 February 2010.
17. "Soppy sentimental Bengali debut of Smriti Irani". The Indian Express. 19 April 2012.
18. "Smriti Irani is a front runner for the HRD ministry: Here's what you need to know about her journey from reel to real". Daily News & Analysis. 26 May 2014.
19. "Smriti Irani is now Vice-President of Yuva Morcha". Rediff News. 8 January 2004.
20. "TV actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani to face Rahul Gandhi in Amethi". India Today. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
21. "Press statement issued by BJP Mahila Morcha President, Smt. Smriti Irani". Retrieved 25 May 2014.
22. "Tulsi to go on fast unto death". The Times of India. 12 December 2004.
23. "Kyunki BJP kabhi different thi". Rediff News. 16 December 2004.
24. "Once a critic, Smriti Irani now hardsells Narendra Modi's image to woo voters". Daily News & Analysis. 18 April 2014.
25. "Smriti Irani advocates 'capital punishment' for rapists". Indian Express. 2 May 2009.
26. "Smriti takes over the Mahila Morcha Charge".
27. "Smriti Irani is Member of Parliament from BJP".
28. "Detailed Profile – Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani". Retrieved 25 May 2014.
29. "Smriti Irani to head BJP's women wing in Himachal". The Times of India. 16 June 2010.
30. "Lok Sabha polls: BJP fields Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi". The Times of India. 1 April 2014.
31. "Constituencywise-All Candidates". ECI.
32. "Constituency Wise Detailed Results" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 153. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
33. "Youngest and oldest in Modi's team are women – Smriti Irani and Najma Heptullah". The Times of India. 26 May 2014.
34. http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Row-over-Smriti-Iranis-educational-qualifications-snowballs-its-Congress-vs-Congress-now/articleshow/35677801.cms
35. http://m.timesofindia.com/india/12th-pass-Smriti-Irani-not-fit-for-HRD-Madhu-Kishwar/articleshow/35650903.cms
36. ‘I Wouldn’t Trust Her With Jam And Pickle Ministry’, Outlook, 20 April 2015
37. "DU suspends 5 for leaking Smriti Irani documents - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
38. "The strange case of Smriti Irani: BA pass in 2004, undergrad in 2014". Rediff. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
39. "Now, Smriti in trouble over her educational qualifications". The Hindu. 2015-06-25. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
40. http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/NAT-TOP-smriti-irani-has-degree-from-yale-university-asks-to-file-pil-to-unmask-poll-aff-4708804-NOR.html
41. "Calling himself ‘RSS person,’ applicant praises Irani, weeks later is made chief of Nagpur NIT". Indian Express. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
42. "Links to the RSS, Smriti Irani: The new qualifications required for NIT head?". Firstpost. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
43. "'My name is Smriti Irani. I challenge you to tell me my caste' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
44. "Hyderabad university doctor counters Smriti Irani, says 'Rohith was dead when she reached hostel' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
47. "An interview with the superstar of Indian Television: Smriti Irani". The Tribune. 10 March 2002.
48. "Smriti Back on television with Savdhaan India".

External links

• Smriti Zubin Irani on Bollywood Hungama