Ananth Kumar Explained

Ananth Kumar
Office:Cabinet Minister
Government of India
Term Start:26 May 2014
Term End:12 November 2018
Primeminister:Narendra Modi
2Blankname:Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
2Namedata:5 July 2016 – 12 November 2018
3Blankname:Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers
3Namedata:26 May 2014 – 12 November 2018
Term Start1:13 October 1999
Term End1:12 July 2003
Primeminister1:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
2Blankname1:Minister of Urban Development
2Namedata1:1 September 2001 – 12 July 2003
3Blankname1:Minister of Tourism
3Namedata1:2 February 2000 – 1 September 2001
4Blankname1:Minister of Culture
4Namedata1:13 October 1999 – 1 September 2001
5Blankname1:Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports
5Namedata1:13 October 1999 – 2 February 2000
Term Start2:19 March 1998
Term End2:13 October 1999
Primeminister2:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
2Blankname2:Minister of Tourism
2Namedata2:30 January 1999 – 13 October 1999
3Blankname2:Minister of Civil Aviation
3Namedata2:19 March 1998 – 13 October 1999
Office3:Member of Parliament
Lok Sabha
Constituency3:Bangalore South
Term Start3:1996
Term End3:2018
Predecessor3:K. Venkatagiri Gowda
Successor3:Tejasvi Surya
Office4:President
Bharatiya Janata Party, Karnataka
Term Start4:26 June 2003
Term End4:31 December 2004
Predecessor4:B.S. Yediyurappa
Successor4:Jagadish Shettar
Party:Bharatiya Janata Party
Birth Name:Hegannahalli Narayana Shastry Ananth Kumar
Birth Date:22 July 1959
Birth Place:Bangalore, Mysore State, (now in Karnataka) India
Death Date:[1]
Death Place:Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Children:Aishwarya Ananth Kumar, Vijeta
Alma Mater:Karnatak University
Website:

Hegannahalli Narayana Shastry Ananth Kumar (22 July 1959 – 12 November 2018)[2] was an Indian politician affiliated with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Parliamentary Affairs of India from 2014 until his death in 2018. Ananth Kumar was an MP from South Bangalore 6 times, Minister of Chemicals and fertilizers from 26 May 2014, and Parliamentary affairs from 2016. He was a member of the Parliament for over two decades, having been elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house, from Bangalore South, from 1996 until his death.[3] He also served as Minister for Civil Aviation, Tourism, Sports, Urban Development, and Poverty Alleviation.[4]

Early life

Ananth Kumar was born in a middle-class Brahmin family[5] at Bangalore, Sheshadripuram, Karnataka, and moved to Hubli in 1979.[6] His father, H. N. Narayan Shastry, was employed with the Indian Railways. His family settled in Hubli in 1979–80. His mother Smt Girija Shastry was a social worker associated with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. She served as the deputy mayor of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation between 1985 and 1986. Kumar completed his matriculation in Lamington School and pre-university course in science PC Jabin College in Hubli. He earned bachelor's degree in arts from Kadasiddeshwar Arts College, affiliated to the Karnatak University, and in Laws from JSS Law college, both in Hubli.[7]

Kumar joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1973 and took part in the movement started by Jayaprakash Narayan the following year. He was jailed in the Hubli sub-jail for a period of over 40 days during the emergency.[8] [7]

Politics

Ananth Kumar was a member of RSS' student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He was elected as the State Secretary of the ABVP. He later became its National Secretary in 1985. In 1987, he joined BJP and was nominated as the State President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.[8] He was then made National Secretary of the party in 1996.[9]

Ananth Kumar was elected from Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency to the 11th Lok Sabha in 1996. He was re-elected and was inducted into the Second Vajpayee ministry. In 1999, he was re-elected to a third consecutive term and became a cabinet minister in the National Democratic Alliance government. He handled various ministries like Tourism, Sports & Youth Affairs, Culture, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation.[9]

Ananth Kumar became the President of the Karnataka state unit of BJP in 2003. It became the single largest party in the Legislative Assembly and won the majority number of Lok Sabha seats in 2004 in Karnataka. In 2004, he was appointed National General Secretary of the BJP.

On 26 May 2014, Kumar was appointed Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers in the cabinet of the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[10] In the 2016 reshuffle, he was given the additional charge of Parliamentary Affairs.[11]

Lok Sabha electoral performance

YearWinnerPartyLosing candidateParty
2014Ananth KumarBJPNandan NilekaniINC
2009Ananth KumarBJPK Byre GowdaINC
2004Ananth KumarBJPKrishnappa MINC
1999Ananth KumarBJPB K HariprasadINC
1998Ananth KumarBJPD P SharmaINC
1996Ananth KumarBJPVaralakshmi Gundu RaoINC

Governance

When Ananth Kumar was minister of Chemicals and fertilizers, he worked to reduce the prices of coronary stents that would help heart patients to an average benefit of close to a lakh.[12] [13] As the minister for chemicals and fertilizers, Kumar implemented 100% mandatory neem-coating of urea, in a move that was expected to save 6,500 crore annually in government subsidy or about 10,000 in total,[14] by stopping diversion for industrial usage, apart from additional benefit of slowing the release of nitrogen, thus reducing the overall consumption.[15]

Ananth Kumar mandated price reduction by 69% on Knee Implants- from 1.5 to 2.5 lakh to the new price of 54,500.[16] Under his guidance, number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras increased to over 4300 all over India (as on 1 November 2018) from 89 in May 2014.[17] He launched Suvidha – Bio-degradable & environment friendly sanitary pads at just 2.50 per piece from 5 June 2018, on the occasion of International women's day (8 Mar 2018).[18]

He launched an initiative to revive 6 closed fertilizer plants with over 48,000 cr investment, along with coal and oil & natural gas ministry.[19] [20]

Ananth Kumar signed an agreement for an International airport in Bangalore and took steps to improve the facilities in the HAL airport as the civil aviation minister in the Vajpayee government.[21] [22]

Ananth Kumar formulated a transport policy in which cities with more than 10 lakh people would have metros.[23] He had worked for the approval of the Bengaluru Metro project by the Vajpayee cabinet.[24]

Ananth Kumar, Sushma Swaraj, M Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley were called "Delhi-4" or "D4" under the leadership of veteran L.K Advani, as they were based in Delhi and took care of various responsibilities in the party.[25] [26]

He played his part in passing the GST (Goods and Services Tax) bill in July 2017.[27] When NDA did not have a sufficient majority, Shri Ananth Kumar had convinced the other legislators regarding the importance of GST (Goods and Services Tax) to launch the bill.[28]

In 1998 Shri Ananth Kumar launched www.raktadan.org/ and www.ananth.org.[29] He became the first Indian MP to launch his own website to serve his constituency.[30] [31]

He was known as the Delhi Face of Karnataka.[32] [33] Whenever representatives from Karnataka from any party came to him in Delhi, he would contact the concerned officials and do everything he could to resolve their issues.[34] [35]

Personal life

Social work

He along with his wife, Tejaswini, founded Adamya Chethana Foundation, a nonprofit organisation for social service. It was setup in 1998 in memory of Girija Shastry, mother of Ananth Kumar.[1] It supports underprivileged children with food in schools through the Midday Meal Scheme.[36] About 2,00,000 meals are served daily.[37]

He launched the initiative Green Bangalore 1:1 as part of his larger initiative Sasyagraha,[38] to achieve 1 tree per human ratio, from the current 7 humans per tree as against the ideal 7 trees per human per research by IISc. EcoChetana initiative was to promote GreenLifeStyle in the state of Karnataka.[39] [40]

As part of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) Ananth Kumar had adopted the Ragihalli village.[41]

He introduced Arogya Chetana Mediclaim group insurance facility for schoolchildren inaugurated by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.[42]

Death

On 12 November 2018 he died due to pancreatic cancer and complications.[43] He was survived by his wife, Tejaswini, and his two daughters, Aishwarya and Vijeta.[44]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ananth Kumar: Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away . . K R Balasubramanyam . 12 November 2018 . 12 November 2018 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232815/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/union-minister-ananth-kumar-dies/articleshow/66583345.cms%20 . live .
  2. Web site: Union minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59 in Bengaluru . . Sandeep . Moudgal . 12 November 2018 . 12 November 2018 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232843/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/union-minister-ananth-kumar-passes-away/articleshow/66583172.cms%20 . live .
  3. Web site: Dutta . Prabhash K. . Ananth Kumar never lost an election in 22 years . 12 November 2018 . India Today . 12 November 2018 . en . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232826/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ananth-kumar-never-lost-an-election-in-22-years-1386630-2018-11-12 . live .
  4. Web site: Ananth Kumar, a staunch RSS man, known for political adroitness. 28 December 2021. @businessline. 12 November 2018. en. 28 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228111839/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/ananth-kumar-a-staunch-rss-man-known-for-political-adroitness/article25473433.ece. live.
  5. News: 12 November 2018 . Who is Ananth Kumar: Things to know about the veteran leader Ananth Kumar . The Times of India . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220713154140/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hn-ananth-kumar-dies-at-59-things-to-know-about-the-veteran-leader/articleshow/66584044.cms . live .
  6. Web site: Who was Ananth Kumar . The Indian Express . 13 November 2018 . 12 November 2018 . 13 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181113125359/https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-ananth-kumar-5441772/ . live .
  7. Web site: Kattimani . Basavaraj . Hubballi shaped political career of Ananth Kumar . The Times of India . 13 November 2018 . 13 November 2018 . 13 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181113120437/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/hubballi-shaped-political-career-of-ananth-kumar/articleshow/66584771.cms . live .
  8. News: Pattanashetti . Girish . Ananth Kumar had his initiation into politics in Hubballi . The Hindu . 13 November 2018 . en-IN . 13 November 2018 . 8 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108124931/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ananth-kumar-had-his-initiation-into-politics-in-hubballi/article25480630.ece . live .
  9. Web site: Lok Sabha . 16 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413132605/http://164.100.47.132/lssnew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=20 . 13 April 2014 . dead.
  10. News: Narendra Modi government: Full list of portfolios and ministers. The Indian Express. 27 May 2014. 27 May 2014. 12 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181112223449/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/narendra-modi-government-list-of-portfolios-and-ministers/. live.
  11. News: Union minister Ananth Kumar passes away. 13 November 2018. 18 November 2018. 18 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118164841/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/131118/union-minister-ananth-kumar-passes-away.html/. live.
  12. Web site: 23 February 2018. BJP govt's Valentine's Day gift was reduced stent prices for your heart. 3 January 2022. ThePrint. en-US. 3 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220103064844/https://theprint.in/politics/bjp-govt-shows-heart-valentines-day-reduces-prices-coronary-stents/37573/. live.
  13. News: Price caps will save patients nearly Rs1 lakh on cardiac stents: Ananth Kumar. The Economic Times. 3 January 2022. 3 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220103064843/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/price-caps-will-save-patients-nearly-rs1-lakh-on-cardiac-stents-ananth-kumar/articleshow/57160558.cms?from=mdr. live.
  14. News: Neem coated urea to stop divergence for industrial use: Government . . 2 December 2015 . 18 November 2018 . 19 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181119010806/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/chem-/-fertilisers/neem-coated-urea-to-stop-divergence-for-industrial-use-government/articleshow/50009530.cms . live .
  15. News: Neem-coated truth: Urea policy isn't a game-changer. Business Standard. Kanika. Datta. 16 February 2016. 18 November 2018. 20 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120015505/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/neem-coated-truth-urea-policy-isn-t-a-game-changer-116021601168_1.html. live.
  16. News: Knee implants to cost up to 69% less as government caps prices - Times of India. The Times of India. 19 November 2018. 19 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181119220256/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/knee-implants-to-cost-up-to-69-less-as-government-caps-prices/articleshow/60094167.cms. live.
  17. Web site: Jan aushadhi. 19 November 2018. 19 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181119132529/http://www.ptinews.com/news/9785267_Govt-committed-to-ensuring-affordable-healthcare-for-all--PM. live.
  18. News: Union Minister Ananth Kumar launches biodegradable sanitary napkins in Bengaluru. The New Indian Express. 19 November 2018. 19 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181119132641/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/jun/06/union-minister-ananth-kumar-launches-biodegradable-sanitary-napkins-in-bengaluru-1824379.html. live.
  19. News: India on road to end fertilizer imports by 2020-21 - Times of India. The Times of India. 19 November 2018. 19 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181119220255/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-on-road-to-end-fertilizer-imports-by-2020-21/articleshow/58404454.cms. live.
  20. Web site: 20 bills passed by both houses; most productive for Lok Sabha since 2000. The Financial Express. 11 August 2018. 19 November 2018. 19 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181119093510/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/20-bills-passed-by-both-houses-most-productive-for-lok-sabha-since-2000/1277121/. live.
  21. Web site: Shubham. 14 April 2014. Ananth Kumar: The people's leader eyeing for a double hat-trick. 31 December 2021. www.oneindia.com. en. 31 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231082651/https://www.oneindia.com/feature/ananth-kumar-people-s-leader-from-south-bangalore-lse-1430127.html. live.
  22. Web site: 12 November 2018. The struggle for an airport: How Ananth Kumar helped Bengaluru get an international airport. 31 December 2021. The News Minute. en. 31 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231082648/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/struggle-airport-how-ananth-kumar-helped-bengaluru-get-international-airport-91434. live.
  23. Web site: 13 November 2018. Ananth far-sightedness helped Bengaluru's airport dream take off: M N Srihari. 31 December 2021. Deccan Chronicle. en. 31 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231092020/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/131118/ananth-far-sightedness-helped-bengalurus-airport-dream-take-off-m.html. live.
  24. News: Bharadwaj. K. v Aditya. 13 November 2018. Ananth Kumar, a passionate Bengalurean. en-IN. The Hindu. 31 December 2021. 0971-751X. 31 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231092020/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ananth-kumar-a-passionate-bengalurean/article25480550.ece. live.
  25. Web site: Sushma Swaraj's Death Marks Fading Away Of "Delhi-4" In BJP. 11 January 2022. NDTV.com. 13 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093016/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sushma-swarajs-death-marks-fading-away-of-delhi-4-in-bjp-2081876. live.
  26. Web site: 7 August 2019. Sushma Swaraj: A fiery leader and a mother figure. 11 January 2022. Hindustan Times. en. 11 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111114312/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-a-fiery-leader-and-a-mother-figure/story-DfxUeSgunA4dxTkdPNzMYJ.html. live.
  27. Web site: 18 September 2016. Centre considering to 'advance' winter session for early GST roll-out. 3 January 2022. Hindustan Times. en. 3 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220103071354/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-mulling-to-advance-winter-session-for-early-gst-roll-out/story-yrMn0X2gz8S0g0wcZyvv2K.html. live.
  28. Web site: 12 November 2018. Prabhash K.. Dutta. Ananth Kumar never lost an election in 22 years. 3 January 2022. India Today. en. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232826/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ananth-kumar-never-lost-an-election-in-22-years-1386630-2018-11-12. live.
  29. Web site: 12 November 2018. Ananth Kumar - A tech-savvy leader who built BJP from scratch in Karnataka. 12 January 2022. Zee News. en. 7 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240107114123/https://zeenews.india.com/karnataka/ananth-kumar-a-tech-savvy-leader-who-built-bjp-from-scratch-in-karnataka-2154669.html. live.
  30. Web site: Ananth Kumar passes away! First Indian politician to host an independent website; 10 facts to know. 11 January 2022. Free Press Journal. en. 11 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111115131/https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/ananth-kumar-passes-away-first-indian-politician-to-host-an-independent-website-10-facts-to-know. live.
  31. Web site: Rediff On The NeT Elections '98: Ananth Kumar is the first Indian MP to host an independent website for a candidate. 11 January 2022. www.rediff.com. 11 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111115322/https://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jan/29bang.htm. live.
  32. Web site: Ananth Kumar: From teenage activist to face of Karnataka in Delhi durbar. 17 January 2022. The New Indian Express. 13 November 2018 . 17 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117060003/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/nov/13/ananth-kumar-from-teenage-activist-to-face-of-karnataka-in-delhi-durbar-1897465.html. live.
  33. Web site: Dev. Arun. 12 November 2018. Ananth Kumar: A Leader Without Enemies & K'taka's Voice in Delhi. 17 January 2022. TheQuint. en. 18 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182347/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/union-minister-ananth-kumar-profile-2. live.
  34. News: Khajane. Muralidhara. Bharadwaj. K. v aditya. Srivatsa. Sharat S.. 13 November 2018. Ananth Kumar was friends with all. en-IN. The Hindu. 17 January 2022. 0971-751X. 17 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117060950/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ananth-kumar-was-friends-with-all/article25480444.ece. live.
  35. News: Balasubramanyam. K. R.. Ananth Kumar death: Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away. The Economic Times. 17 January 2022. 18 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182406/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/union-minister-ananth-kumar-dies/articleshow/66583345.cms?from=mdr. live.
  36. Web site: Adamya Chetana – Anna Akshara Arogya. Adamyachetana.org. 14 October 2018. 21 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121204137/http://www.adamyachetana.org/. live.
  37. News: 'Our Annapoorna kitchens are paathshaalas, prayogashaalas too'. The Times of India. 2 January 2017. 14 October 2018. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232811/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/our-annapoorna-kitchens-are-paathshaalas-prayogashaalas-too/articleshow/56284474.cms. live.
  38. Web site: Central Minister Shri. Ananthkumar launches 'SASYAGRAHA' as a Nationwide Movement. Bangalore News Network. en-US. 19 November 2018. 19 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181119132525/http://www.bangalorenewsnetwork.com/news_detail.php?f_news_id=403. live.
  39. Web site: Green Bengaluru 1:1 – Adamya Chetana. Adamyachetana.org. 14 October 2018. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232817/http://www.adamyachetana.org/projects/green-bengaluru-11/. dead.
  40. Web site: Adamya Chetana launches Sasyagraha in Bengaluru. NewsKarnataka. 27 November 2017. 14 October 2018. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232840/https://www.newskarnataka.com/bangalore/adamya-chetana-launches-sasyagraha-in-bengaluru. live.
  41. Web site: ರಾಗಿಹಳ್ಳಿ ಗ್ರಾಪಂ ದತ್ತು ಪಡೆದ ಅನಂತಕುಮಾರ್. Kannada.oneindia.com. 19 November 2014. 14 October 2018. 18 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175331/https://kannada.oneindia.com/news/bangalore/ananthkumar-adopts-ragihalli-under-gram-yojana-089230.html. live.
  42. Web site: 10 November 2021. Adamya Chetana's impactful journey touching lives of vulnerable, neglected. 3 January 2022. News Karnataka. en-US. 30 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211230061447/https://newskarnataka.com/kannadigas/adamya-chetanas-impactful-journey-touching-lives-of-vulnerable-marginalised/. live.
  43. Web site: Ananth Kumar passes away Live Updates: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi express grief. 12 November 2018. 12 November 2018. 24 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232820/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ananth-kumar-passes-away-live-updates-bjp-tributes-narendra-modi-5441758/. live.
  44. Web site: Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away; holiday in schools, colleges in Karnataka today . Times Now News . 12 November 2018 . 12 November 2018 . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224232813/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ananth-kumar-dies-passes-away-dead-death-union-minister-for-chemicals-and-fertilizer-bharatiya-janata-party-bengaluru-news/312332%20 . live .

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