Smriti Irani Explained

Birth Name:Smriti Malhotra
Birth Date:1976 3, df=yes[1]
Birth Place:New Delhi, Delhi, India
Children:3
Residence:Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Party:Bharatiya Janata Party
Office:Union Cabinet Minister, Government of India
Term Start:26 May 2014
Suboffice:Ministry of Minority Affairs
Subterm:6 July 2022 – 11 June 2024
Suboffice1:Ministry of Women and Child Development
Subterm1:31 May 2019 – 11 June 2024
Subterm2:5 July 2016 – 7 July 2021
Suboffice2:Ministry of Textiles
Suboffice3:Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Subterm3:18 July 2017 – 24 May 2018
Suboffice4:Ministry of Human Resource Development
Subterm4:26 May 2014 – 5 July 2016
Term End:11 June 2024
Office5:Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Predecessor5:Rahul Gandhi
Successor5:Kishori Lal Sharma
Term Start5:23 May 2019
Term End5:4 June 2024
Constituency5:Amethi, Uttar Pradesh
Office8:National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha
Term8:24 June 2010 – 24 April 2013
Predecessor8:Sumit
Successor8:Saroj Pandey
Office6:Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Term Start6:19 August 2011
Predecessor6:Pravin Naik
Constituency6:Gujarat
Successor6:Jugalji Mathurji Thakor
Term End6:23 May 2019

Smriti Zubin Irani (née Malhotra; in Hindi pronounced as /smɾɪt̪ɪ iːɾɑːniː/ born 23 March 1976) is an Indian politician and former actress, fashion model and television producer. She was Minister of Women and Child Development from 2019 to 2024, and also Minister of Minority Affairs from 2022 to 2024 (as the first non-Muslim to hold the position). She previously served as Minister of Human Resource Development (2014 to 2016), Minister of Textiles (2016 to 2021), and Minister of Information and Broadcasting (2017 to 2018).[2] [3] She was the youngest minister (at age 43) in prime minister Narendra Modi's second ministry in 2019.[4]

A prominent leader of Bharatiya Janata Party, she had been a member of parliament from 2011 to 2024, serving in the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat from 2011 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2024 as a member of the Lok Sabha from the Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh. She was also the National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha (the party's women's wing) from 2010 to 2013. In the 2019 elections she gained the Amethi constituency by defeating opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, then-president of the Indian National Congress, whose family members had represented the constituency for the previous four decades. She subsequently lost the constituency to long time Indian National Congress worker Kishori Lal Sharma in the 2024 elections.

Previously in the mid-2000s, Irani gained popularity as a TV artist playing the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus for which she won five consecutive ITA Best Actress awards.[5] Irani comes from a multi-cultural family, with her paternal family having Punjabi and Maharashtrian background, while her maternal family is Bengali.[6] She is a multi-linguist and speaks several Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi.[6] [7]

Early and personal life

She was born as Smriti Malhotra, the daughter of a half-Punjabi, half-Maharashtrian Hindu father, Ajay Kumar Malhotra, and a Bengali Hindu mother, Shibani née Bagchi.[1] [8] [9] She is the eldest among three sisters.[10] [11] Her mother was a member of Jana Sangh and her grandfather was associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.[12]

Smriti was educated at the Holy Child Auxilium School, New Delhi, which is run by Catholic nuns.[13] Later, she enrolled in School of Open Learning at University of Delhi.[14] [15] In 2019, she revealed that she had written her first year B.Com. exams from that institution, but had not completed the three-year degree course.[16]

In 2001, Smriti married a Parsi businessman, Zubin Irani. In October the same year, the couple had their first child, a son named Zohr.[17] 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 to Mona Irani, a coordinator and former beauty contestant.[18]

In 2018, responding to queries about her faith, she stated that she is a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian, and that wearing sindoor is her belief as a Hindu.[19] [20]

Acting career

Irani was one of the participants of the beauty pageant Miss India 1998 but couldn't reach the top 9, along with Gauri Pradhan Tejwani.[21] [22] [23] In 1998, Irani appeared in a song "Boliyan" of the album "Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag" with Mika Singh.[24] [25] In 2000, she made her acting début with TV series Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal, both of which aired on Star Plus. Apart from this, she acted in Kavita on DD metro. In mid-2000, Irani bagged the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus for which she holds the record of winning five consecutive ITA Award for Best Actress Popular and 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, reconciling with Kapoor.[26]

In 2002, she played the epic character Sita in Zee TV's Ramayan along with Nitish Bharadwaj[27] In 2006, Irani co-produced the show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan under her banner Ugraya Entertainment and co-produced by 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 produced Mere Apne for 9X and portrayed the protagonist alongside Vinod Khanna. She acted in a supporting role in Zee TV's Teen Bahuraaniyaan.[28]

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 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 worked in Bengali movie Amrita.[29] [30]

Political career

Irani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003.[31] The following year, she was appointed vice-president of the Maharashtra Youth Wing in 2004.[32] In the general elections held that year for the 14th Lok Sabha, she contested unsuccessfully against Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi. That election witnessed a shock defeat for the incumbent Vajpayee government. In December 2004, Irani, blaming then Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi for BJP's electoral losses, threatened to fast unto death until he resigned.[33] She retracted this demand after the BJP's central leadership threatened to take action against her.[34] [35]

Irani was nominated as executive member of the central committee of the BJP.[36] [37] During the campaign for the 2009 parliamentary elections, while campaigning for Vijay Goel in the New Delhi constituency, Irani voiced her concern for women's safety in the city and advocated capital punishment for rapists as a deterrent.[38] 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.[31] [39] As National President of BJP Women's Wing, she successfully pursued Permanent Commission for Women in the Indian Army by facilitating legal aid to women officers who held temporary commission and were agitating for permanent commission.[40]

In August 2011, Irani finally entered parliament. She was sworn in as a member of parliament from Gujarat to the Rajya Sabha.[41] [42] [43]

Irani contested the 2014 general elections against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh.[44] Irani lost to Gandhi by 1,07,923 votes, a 12.32% margin.[45] [46] On 26 May 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed her as the Minister of Human Resource Development in his cabinet.[47] [48] Her appointment was criticised by many people owing to her lack of formal higher education.[49] [50] [51]

Irani has been accused of misrepresenting her educational qualifications.[52] Conflicting affidavits were allegedly submitted by her while filing for different elections.[53] 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.[54] Irani asked people to file a PIL about her educational qualification to know about the truth behind the affidavit controversy.[55]

Irani implemented various reforms in universities during her term as HRD minister.[56] Irani made a speech in Parliament in which she discussed the 2016 JNU sedition controversy and the Suicide of Rohith Vemula.[57] University of Hyderabad doctor Rajashree M contradicted some claims made by Irani regarding the circumstances of Rohith's death.[58]

She announced to start new yoga departments in six new universities in June 2016.

In July 2016, in a cabinet reshuffle Irani was shuffled to the Ministry of Textiles from MHRD.[59]

In July 2017, she was handed the additional charge of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India) when former Minister Venkaiah Naidu resigned from the ministry to take part in vice-presidential elections.[60]

In 2019, Irani became a member of parliament for Amethi constituency after winning the Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections from Rahul Gandhi.[61] [62] In the 2024 elections Irani lost to Congress Loyalist Kishore Lal Sharma in Amethi by a margin of 1,67,196 votes.[63] [64]

Work undertaken as Union Minister

Smriti Irani was the youngest minister in the cabinet of Narendra Modi. She was also the first woman to hold office as the Union Minister for Human Resource Development and Union Minister of Textiles.[40] She was also the youngest woman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.[65] Some of her key achievements in various portfolios held by her have been listed below :

As Union Minister for Human Resource Development (May 2014–July 2016)

In her term as the HRD minister, Irani undertook a number of decisions which helped in improving the quality, inclusivity and outcome of education in the country. Some of the key achievements have been listed as under :

  1. The Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)[66] was launched by the Minister post the retreat of IITs in 2014. The network is an initiative within the Higher Education sector aimed at tapping the talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs, internationally to encourage their engagement with the institutes of Higher Education in India so as to augment the country's existing academic resources, accelerate the pace of quality reform, and elevate India's scientific and technological capacity to global excellence.[67] [68]
  2. Udaan Yojana and Pragati Scheme launched in 2014 by Irani aims to address the low enrolment of girls in engineering colleges. The scheme has been designed to provide a comprehensive platform to deserving girl students who aspire to pursue higher education in engineering and assist them in preparing for the IIT-JEE while studying in Classes XI and XII.[69] By 2016, 143 of the 300 girls under the scheme had cleared JEE.[70] In the same year the Pragati Scheme was launched in order to provide financial support and encouragement to female students to pursue technical education.[71] [72]
  3. Know Your College Portal was launched in the year 2014 for helping a prospective student make a value judgement with regard to the selection of an appropriate college for pursuing higher education by providing the necessary information about the college.[73]
  4. The IMPacting Research INnovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India Scheme, brainchild of Irani was launched by the former President, Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.[74] It is the first of its kind MHRD supported Pan-IIT + IISc joint initiative to address the major science and engineering challenges that India must address and champion to enable, empower and embolden the nation for inclusive growth and self-reliance.[75] Within a year of its launch 31 ministries and government departments have proposed to co-fund 229 research projects worth Rs 59,589 lakh at IITs and other premier Indian research institutes.[76]
  5. National institute Ranking Framework is an indigenous ranking framework for higher educational institutions launched by Irani in 2015, It will now allow the students seeking admission into colleges to assess the performance and quality level of different colleges.[77]
  6. SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds), launched in the year 2016 by Irani is a Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) platform, which aims at providing online courses, study material and course registration. It has been designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz., access, equity and quality. It further aims to bridge the digital divide for students who have hitherto remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy.[78]
  7. Veer Gatha series was launched by the HRD ministry under the leadership of Irani in the year 2016 as an initiative to take the stories of India's bravest of the brave soldiers to young school children and inspire them.[79]

Union Minister for Textiles (July 2016–July 2021)

In July 2016, Irani was given charge of the Textiles Ministry, taking over from Santosh Kumar Gangwar.[80] She held that portfolio for a full five years, until July 2021, having been re-appointed to the position after the parliamentary elections of 2019.[81] Her contribution to the sector has been appreciated by various industry bodies like the textile council TEXPROCIL, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India and the Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF).[82] Her significant initiatives as Minister of Textiles include:

  1. Apparel Sector Special Package launched in the year 2018, is a Rs. 6,000 crore worth of package launched by Irani in 2016, aimed at strengthening the entire textile industry by providing financial support to small scale players in the industry.[83]
  2. Support for Technical Textile, in a bid to fulfil the long-standing demand of the industry, in January 2019, Irani declare technical textile items as a separate category and declared that the government had notified 207 HSN codes as technical textiles. The said move is expected to benefit 900 million farmers in the country and will help the industry to grow over Rs 2 trillion (short scale) in the tech textile sector and help the potential investors to enter into technical textiles.[84]
  3. Special focus on the North Eastern Regions, during the first term of her tenure as the Minister of Textiles, 21 readymade garment manufacturing units in the north eastern region had been made functional. Special initiatives were taken to further push sericulture in the region, for which Rs. 690 crore had been earmarked.[85]
  4. Silk Samagra Workshop was launched by Irani in 2018, which is an Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry for 3 years from 2017 to 2020. The main objective of the scheme is to maintain Breeders stock, Breed improvement through R&D Projects, Development of mechanised practices, Technology translation through Sericulture Information Linkages and Knowledge System (SILKS) Portal, Mobile Application for Stakeholders and for seed quality monitoring.[86]
  5. Samarth Scheme, is an aspirational initiative launched by Irani in her second term as the Union Minister for Textiles. The ministry has envisaged an expenditure of over Rs. 1,300 crore to upskill over 4 lakh workers in 16 states.[87]

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (July 2017–May 2018)

  1. The 48th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held under her watch in November 2017. For the first time, under the Accessible India Campaign of the Government of India, cinematic works were presented in audio-described format for the visually impaired.[88] Film star Shah Rukh Khan expressed his admiration in these words: "Great endeavour by I&B Minister Smriti Irani to make IFFI the most inclusive, relevant forum for Indian cinema. My unwavering support to you".[89] The event was a star studded one, with Sridevi, AR Rahman, Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj and many other stars registering their presence at the event.[90]
  2. In FY 2017, during Mrs. Irani's term as I&B Minister, the revenue of State-run broadcaster Doordarshan rose to Rs 827.51 crore, surpassing its target of Rs 800 crore.[91]

Union Minister for Women and Child Developments (May 2019–June 2024)

In the second term of the Modi Government, Irani was appointed given the key portfolio Union Minister for Women and Child Development.[92] Subsequently, in the cabinet re-shuffle of July 2021, Irani was again given the charge of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.[93]

One of her first legislative initiatives as the Minister for WCD was the Amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2019, which aims to make punishment more stringent and even include death penalty for offenders involved in sexual crimes against minors.[94] She undertook the initiative to define "child pornography" and reiterated a "zero tolerance" stance against the crime.[95] [96]

Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh, As part of the Poshan Abhiyaan, Irani along with Bill Gates, through his foundation, announced the launch of India's first Poshan Atlas, Bhartiya Poshan Krishi Kosh(BPKK) in order to create a repository of diverse crops across 127 agro-climatic zones of the country.[97]

Union Minister for Minority Affairs (July 2022 - June 2024)

In August 2023, Irani introduced ‘Naya Savera’ scheme (‘Free Coaching and Allied’ scheme) to assist students belonging to the six minority communities namely Sikh, Jain, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi by way of special coaching for qualifying examinations for admission in technical/professional courses and competitive examination for recruitment.[98] [99]

In January 2024, Smriti Irani became the only non-muslim on her historical visit to the holy site of Medina led by the Saudi-Arabian delegates, where she signed the Hajj agreement 2024, and brought home increased quota for Hajj trip for Muslims in India. [100] [101]

MP from Amethi

Irani, in 2019 general elections, in Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, won against Rahul Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress, by a margin of 55,120 votes who previously seat held since 2004.[102] [103] [104] [105] The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leadership put in an all around effort over the past five years to ensure this win after her loss to Gandhi by 1,07,923 votes, a 12.32% margin in 2014 general elections.[106] [107] Irani made multiple visits to Amethi after her loss to launch central development schemes in the constituency, to underscore her message that she would provide better representation than the incumbent member. In the 2024 general elections however, Irani lost the Amethi seat to the Indian National Congress' candidate Kishori Lal Sharma by a margin of 167,196 votes.[108]

Events

Undergraduate degree

Irani was accused of providing contradictory affidavits about her educational qualifications during different elections. In her affidavit for the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, she reportedly stated her educational qualification as B.A. from Delhi University. However, while filing affidavits in her nomination papers for Rajya Sabha from Gujarat in 2011 and Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh in 2014, she said her highest educational qualification was, B.com, Part 1 from School of Open Learning at University of Delhi.[109]

She later claimed that she has done B.com, Part 1 from Delhi University (not completing the full course till Part 3) in the affidavit she filed for Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat in 2017 which stated "Bachelor of Commerce, Part 1. Three year degree course not completed".[110] [111]

A freelance writer Ahmer Khan filed a complaint in April 2015 that Smriti Irani had filed an affidavit in April 2004 for the Lok Sabha elections, stating that she had completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1996 from School of Correspondence (Delhi University) but in another affidavit of 16 April 2014, filed by her for the Lok Sabha polls, it was said that she was a Bachelor of Commerce Part-I from the School of Open Learning (Delhi University). The plea said that the facts and circumstances reveal commission of offences by Smriti under section 125A (which deals with penalty of filing false affidavit and entails a jail term[112]) of the Representation of People Act, 1951.[113]

The court had on 20 November 2016 allowed the complainant's plea seeking direction to the officials of EC and DU to bring the records of Ms. Irani's qualifications after he said he was unable to place them before the court. During the hearings of the complaint, the court was told by a poll panel official that the documents filed by Ms. Irani regarding her educational qualification while filing nominations were not traceable. Also, in pursuance of the court's earlier direction, Delhi University had also submitted that the documents pertaining to Ms. Irani's BA course in 1996, as purportedly mentioned by her in an affidavit filed during 2004 Lok Sabha elections, were yet to be found.[114]

On 18 October 2016, a Delhi court said that Smriti Irani will not be summoned for the fake degree case because the petition filed against Irani questioning her college degrees was an attempt to harass her.[115] The court said that the complainant may not have filed it if she were not a central minister. Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh said that original evidence had already been lost due to the passage of years, secondary evidence wasn't enough for court. The Magistrate also said that the complainant made a "delay of 11 years" in filing the complaint against Irani.[116] This verdict of the lower court was challenged in the Delhi High Court and the court asked all the records of the case to be handed over to it in order to examine case records before deciding to summon Irani or anyone else.[117] [118]

Trivialising Child Abuse

In December 2021, while at the same time holding a portfolio of Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani posted an image on Instagram which read, "When I was a kid, they didn't take me to a psychologist... My mom was able to open my chakra, stabilize my karma and clean my aura with one single slap." She was widely criticised for trivialising the widely prevalent issue of child abuse in Indian households with her post and degrading the role of mental health experts.[119] [120]

Silly Souls Cafe

In July 2022, a website by the name of Herald Goa published a story on an RTI response received by lawyer Aires Rodrigues alleging that the liquor licence of Silly Souls Cafe and Bar had been renewed illegally and that Smriti Irani's family is connected with the bar. In an earlier interview on a food critic's YouTube channel, Smriti Irani's daughter agreed that the bar is owned by her. In an affidavit in Delhi High Court, Smriti Irani denied any connection of her family with the bar. Later an RTI reply revealed that the licence was issued in the name of a company linked with Irani's family.[121] [122] Earlier RTI filings show that the Irani family's company and the bar has the same address and identical GST number, and that the Irani family's company's operation includes liquor sales, which requires licence according to law.[123]

Electoral history

Works and appearances

Television

Year Show Character
1999AatishYounger twin sister
2000–2008Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu ThiTulsi Mihir Virani
2000Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal
2000KavitaKavita
2001–2003Kya Hadsaa Kya HaqeeqatSmriti
2001–2002RamayanSita
2003Kuch... Diiil SeHost[124]
2006–2007Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa AasmaanUma
2007–2008VirrudhVasudha Sushant Sharma
2007–2008Mere ApneSharda
2007–2008Teen BahuraaniyaanVrinda Desai
2008Yeh Hai JalwaHost
2008WaarisProducer
2009–2010Maniben.comManiben Jamankumar Patel
2012Savdhaan India[125] Host
2013Ek Thhi NaaykaSwati

Theatre projects

ProjectsLanguageCharacter
Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum KaheinHindiSargam
Maniben.comGujaratiMani
Koi Taru Bau Saru ThayuGujaratiDevika
MuktidhaamGujaratiMother
Garv Thi Kaho Ame Gujarati ChhiyeGujaratiMridula
Jai Bolo TelanganaTeluguMother

Films

Year Film Character Language
2010Malik EkPersonification of DwarkamaiHindi
2011Jai Bolo TelanganaActivistTelugu
2012AmritaAmritaBengali

Books

Smriti Irani's debut novel is Lal Salaam, published by Westland publishers in 2021.[126] [127] It is inspired by the April 2010 Maoist attack in Dantewada and the role of the central police forces in insurgencies.[128]

Awards

See main article: List of awards and nominations received by Smriti Irani.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Detailed Profile: Smt. Smriti tulsi Irani . India.gov.in . 14 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140610232534/https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2180 . 10 June 2014.
  2. News: 5 July 2016. Javdekar gets HRD, Irani shifted to Textiles. en-IN. The Hindu. 11 February 2022. 0971-751X.
  3. Web site: Cabinet reshuffle: Meet Modi government's women ministers . Saha . Poulomi . 8 July 2021 . India Today.
  4. Smriti Irani youngest minister in Modi govt, council gets younger in 5 years . 31 May 2019 . India Today . 31 May 2019 .
  5. Web site: 29 April 2005. Smriti Irani: I don't watch Kyunki. Rediff.com.
  6. News: 21 February 2015. India's multilingualism an asset, says Smriti Irani. The Economic Times. PTI.
  7. News: Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, English... multi-lingual Smriti charms MPs . Rediff . 27 November 2014.
  8. News: Change of role, anyone? . . 6 April 2013 . 31 August 2014 . 5 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305230313/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/change-of-role-anyone/story-09RrquZGnSNd4OoNJHdf9L.html . dead .
  9. Web site: Smriti Irani Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history . elections.in . 25 March 2018.
  10. Web site: All the PM's Men and Women: 23 Cabinet ministers . 27 May 2014 . The Indian Express . 25 April 2016.
  11. News: Rise of Smriti Irani: Journey from bahu of TV to BJP's Vice President . The Economic Times . 1 November 2013.
  12. News: 18 April 2014. RSS is like a home to me, says Smriti Irani. Jagran Post. dead. 6 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090303/http://post.jagran.com/rss-is-like-a-home-to-me-says-smriti-irani-1397818300. 27 March 2019.
  13. News: Convent School in South Delhi Robbed; Alumnus Smriti Irani Visits . NDTV.com.
  14. News: 'Class 12 pass' and education minister? . 27 May 2014 . First Post.
  15. News: Smriti goes back to School . TOI.
  16. News: In Poll Affidavit, Union Minister Smriti Irani Says She's Not a Graduate . 13 April 2019 . . 11 April 2019.
  17. News: Playing Tulsi and Sita with elan . . 10 March 2002.
  18. News: Smriti Irani posts pic of family celebrating Amethi win. Don't miss Twinkle Khanna's comment on it . 21 June 2019 . India Today . 25 May 2019.
  19. News: 23 October 2018 . Yet to find a person . The Statesman .
  20. News: Smriti Irani slams Twitter user on asking Gotra, says 'Sindoor is my belief. Now get back to your life' . ABP News . 28 November 2018.
  21. News: Smriti Irani: From model to TV's favourite bahu to Cabinet minister . Firstpost . 26 May 2014.
  22. Web site: The Smriti of yesterday . India Today . 29 May 2014 . 31 July 2014.
  23. News: A little too fat . Daily News & Analysis . 7 May 2009 . 1 August 2014.
  24. Web site: 28 May 2014. Smriti Irani's transition from an aspiring model to a successful politician. https://web.archive.org/web/20140528093240/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140527/entertainment-tvmusic/gallery/smriti-irani-model-minister. dead. 28 May 2014. Deccan Chronicle.
  25. Web site: Viral music video: BJP's Amethi candidate Smriti Irani dancing with singer Mika Singh . Daily Bhaskar . 7 April 2014.
  26. Web site: 29 April 2005. Smriti Irani: I don't watch Kyunki. Rediff.com.
  27. Web site: 5 June 2009. Smriti turns to comedy. Deccan Herald.
  28. News: Playing Tulsi and Sita with elan . 12 April 2014 . The Tribune . 10 March 2002.
  29. News: Dubey. Rachana. 23 February 2010. Smriti Irani to debut in Bengali film industry. Hindustan Times. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140313025026/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/archives/smriti-irani-to-enter-cinema/article1-511987.aspx. 13 March 2014.
  30. News: Chatterji. Shoma A.. 19 April 2012. Soppy sentimental Bengali debut of Smriti Irani. The Indian Express.
  31. News: 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.
  32. Web site: Smriti Irani is now Vice-President of Yuva Morcha . Rediff News . 8 January 2004.
  33. News: Tulsi to go on fast unto death . The Times of India . 12 December 2004.
  34. News: Kyunki BJP kabhi different thi . Rediff News . 16 December 2004.
  35. News: Once a critic, Smriti Irani now hardsells Narendra Modi's image to woo voters . Daily News & Analysis . 18 April 2014.
  36. News: TV actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani to face Rahul Gandhi in Amethi . 12 April 2014 . India Today . 4 April 2014.
  37. Web site: Press statement issued by BJP Mahila Morcha President, Smt. Smriti Irani . 25 May 2014.
  38. Web site: Smriti Irani advocates 'capital punishment' for rapists . The Indian Express . 2 May 2009.
  39. Web site: Smriti Irani takes over as BJP Mahila Morcha prez - Indian Express . The Indian Express . 20 December 2019.
  40. Web site: Meet the Cabinet Minister Ministry of Women & Child Development GoI . wcd.nic.in . 27 January 2020.
  41. Web site: Smriti Irani is Member of Parliament from BJP . 20 December 2019.
  42. Web site: Detailed Profile – Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani . 25 May 2014 . 26 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205543/https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2180 . dead .
  43. News: Smriti Irani to head BJP's women wing in Himachal . The Times of India . 16 June 2010.
  44. News: Lok Sabha polls: BJP fields Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi . The Times of India . 1 April 2014.
  45. Web site: Constituencywise-All Candidates . ECI.
  46. Web site: Constituency Wise Detailed Results . 153 . Election Commission of India . 30 April 2014.
  47. News: Modi's complete cabinet: Jaitley gets Finance, Smriti Human Resources . Firstpost . 27 May 2014.
  48. News: Youngest and oldest in Modi's team are women – Smriti Irani and Najma Heptullah . The Times of India . 26 May 2014.
  49. News: Row over Smriti Irani's educational qualifications snowballs, it's Congress vs Congress now . . PTI . 28 May 2014 . 26 July 2022.
  50. News: 12th pass Smriti Irani not fit for HRD: Madhu Kishwar . The Times of India . PTI . 28 May 2014 . 25 March 2018.
  51. Sengupta . Uttam . 20 April 2015 . 'I Wouldn't Trust Her With Jam And Pickle Ministry . Outlook . 25 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160217213128/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/i-wouldnt-trust-her-with-jam-and-pickle-ministry/293992 . 17 February 2016.
  52. Web site: DU suspends 5 for leaking Smriti Irani documents . The Times of India . 27 February 2016.
  53. Web site: The strange case of Smriti Irani: BA pass in 2004, undergrad in 2014 . Rediff . 27 February 2016.
  54. News: Now, Smriti in trouble over her educational qualifications . 25 June 2015 . The Hindu . 0971-751X . 27 February 2016.
  55. Web site: Smriti Irani has a degree from Yale University? HRD minister asks to file PIL to unmask poll affidavit issue . 10 August 2014.
  56. Web site: Mohan . Rohini . 1 November 2016 . Smriti Irani's rise from soap star to union minister . 25 July 2021 . The Caravan . en.
  57. News: 'My name is Smriti Irani. I challenge you to tell me my caste' – Times of India . The Times of India. 24 February 2016 .
  58. News: Hyderabad university doctor counters Smriti Irani, says 'Rohith was dead when she reached hostel' – Times of India . The Times of India. 26 February 2016 .
  59. Web site: Big time shuffle in Narendra Modi Cabinet: Here are the changes made . Shaikh . Mohammed Uzair . 5 July 2016 . Latest India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News India.com . 27 January 2020.
  60. Web site: Smriti Irani gets I&B ministry, NS Tomar given urban development ministry . The Times of India . 18 July 2017 . 11 August 2020.
  61. Web site: Election Results 2019: Smriti Irani Defeats Rahul Gandhi In Amethi, And Twitter Can't Even... . 22 January 2022 . NDTV.com.
  62. Web site: 24 May 2019 . Election results 2019: Rahul Gandhi concedes defeat as Smriti Irani springs surprise in Amethi . 22 January 2022 . The Indian Express . en.
  63. News: Prabhu . Sunil . Sanyal . Anindita . 5 June 2024 . "How's The Josh? I Say...": Smriti Irani After Losing Amethi . NDTV . 5 June 2024.
  64. News: Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls . Economic Times . 6 June 2024 . 27 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727153249/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms . 27 July 2024.
  65. Web site: MindMine Summit . mindminesummit.com . 27 January 2020.
  66. Web site: Global Initiative of Academic Networks GIAN) . gian.iitkgp.ac.in . 27 January 2020.
  67. News: Smriti Irani launches GIAN to boost higher education with international collaboration . India Today . 27 January 2020 . Ist.
  68. Web site: Global Initiative of Academic Networks GIAN) . gian.iitkgp.ac.in . 27 January 2020.
  69. News: Government kicks off Bal Swachhta Mission, Udaan scheme for girls . 14 November 2014 . The Economic Times . 27 January 2020.
  70. Web site: 143 of 300 girls cleared JEE under Udaan scheme: Smriti Irani . 29 April 2016 . Zee News . 27 January 2020.
  71. News: Govt. has launched "Pragati Scholarship" for girls, says Smriti Irani . 11 December 2014 . Business Standard India . 27 January 2020.
  72. Web site: Smriti Irani: New Education Policy Will Lead To Transformative Restructuring Of Education In India . 25 October 2020 . NDTV.com . en.
  73. News: New portal to help students make decisions regarding colleges . 11 November 2014 . Business Standard India . 27 January 2020.
  74. Web site: Imprint India Launched by the President of India at the Visitor's Conference . pib.gov.in . 27 January 2020.
  75. Web site: IMPRINT India Initiative . imprint-india.org . 27 January 2020.
  76. News: Single-window funding makes its Imprint on campus R&D . Vishnoi . Anubhuti . 28 September 2016 . The Economic Times . 27 January 2020.
  77. Web site: Govt unveils indigenous ranking framework for higher education . Nanda . Prashant K. . 29 September 2015 . Livemint . 27 January 2020.
  78. Web site: HRD Minster Smriti Irani Announces MOOC- SWAYAM: New Online Higher Education Platform . 29 April 2016 . Jagranjosh.com . 27 January 2020.
  79. News: Veer Gatha: Govt launches major inspirational book series . India Today . 27 January 2020 . Ist.
  80. Web site: Indian Textiles Journal - The Indian Textile Journal - Technology & Trade info for tomorrow's Textile Industry. . indiantextilejournal.com . 27 January 2020.
  81. Web site: Smriti Irani retains textiles ministry portfolio . FashionNetwork.com . 27 January 2020.
  82. TEXPROCIL Congratulates Ministry of Textiles for Significant Achievements in the Past 4.5 Years . PR Newswire . 27 January 2020.
  83. Web site: Govt's Rs 6,000 cr package to boost apparel sector: Smriti Irani . www.simamills.in . 27 January 2020.
  84. Web site: Textiles minister Smriti Irani calls for innovation in tech textiles sector . businessline . 29 January 2019 . 27 January 2020.
  85. Web site: Smriti Irani highlights achievements & key initiatives of textile ministry . 13 February 2018 . Rumu . Banerjee . The Times of India . 27 January 2020 .
  86. Web site: Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry . pib.gov.in . 27 January 2020.
  87. Web site: Textiles Ministry partners with 16 states for skilling 4 lakh under 'Samarth' scheme . @businessline . 14 August 2019 . 27 January 2020.
  88. Web site: Inviting film makers to India is the endeavour of IFFI : Smriti Irani . 5 Dariya News . 27 January 2020.
  89. News: SRK extends support to IFFI 2017, Smriti Irani grateful . 19 August 2017 . Business Standard India . 27 January 2020.
  90. Web site: IFFI 2017: During welcome speech, Smriti Irani says 'we are a tolerant government' . 21 November 2017 . Firstpost . 27 January 2020.
  91. Web site: Doordarshan's revenue rises to Rs 827.51 crore in FY17 . Ahluwalia . Harveen . 4 April 2017 . Livemint . 27 January 2020.
  92. News: Smriti Irani assumes charge as WCD minister . 3 June 2019 . Business Standard India . 27 January 2020.
  93. Web site: Cabinet reshuffle Meet Modi government's women ministers . Saha . Poulomi . India Today . 8 July 2021.
  94. News: Smriti Irani introduces bill to amend POCSO Act in Rajya Sabha . 18 July 2019 . The Economic Times . 27 January 2020.
  95. News: Govt defines child pornography, brings digital or computer generated content under it: WCD Ministry . Press Trust of India . 11 July 2019 . Business Standard India . 27 January 2020.
  96. News: Government approves changes in POCSO Act, includes death penalty for sexual offences against children . 10 July 2019 . The Economic Times . 27 January 2020.
  97. Web site: Government Unveils Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh To Help Fight Malnutrition, Here's All You Need To Know News . 18 November 2019 . NDTV . 27 January 2020.
  98. News: 1.19 lakh students benefited under Naya Savera Scheme . DD News . 4 August 2023 . 12 January 2024.
  99. News: Saurabh . 5 August 2023 . Ministry implemented 'Naya Savera' or 'Free Coaching and Allied' scheme . Adda247 . 12 January 2024.
  100. Sagar . Pradip P . 10 January 2024 . When Smriti Irani led a rare non-Muslim delegation to Madinah . India Today . 12 January 2024.
  101. News: Sharma +first=Mukul . 10 January 2024 . Minority affairs minister Smriti Irani brings home increased Haj quota for Indian Muslims . WION . 12 January 2024.
  102. News: Amethi Constituency Election Result: Smriti Irani defeats Rahul Gandhi by 55,120 votes India News - Times of India . 5 February 2021 . The Times of India . 24 May 2019 . en.
  103. Web site: Lok Sabha elections 2019: 'The North Remembers', Smriti Irani after dethroning Rahul Gandhi . 24 May 2019 . . 24 May 2019.
  104. Web site: Rahul Gandhi lacks experience, hasn't even run a panchayat: SM Krishna on Congress' landslide defeat India News . . 24 May 2019 . 24 May 2019.
  105. Web site: Smriti Irani, BJP's giant killer who defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi . 24 May 2019 . Zee News . 24 May 2019.
  106. Web site: Constituencywise-All Candidates . ECI.
  107. Web site: Constituency Wise Detailed Results . 153 . Election Commission of India . 30 April 2014.
  108. News: Lok Sabha Elections results: Smriti Irani concedes defeat in Amethi by Congress' KL Sharma; BJP workers break down in tears . The Economic Times . 5 June 2024 . 5 June 2024.
  109. Web site: Smt. Smriti Irani (Scanned Rajya Sabha Affidavit, Gujarat 2011) . 11 July 2011 . MyNeta . Association for Democratic Reforms . 11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170729164708/http://docs.myneta.info/affidavits/rajsab09aff/318/Smriti%20Irani.pdf . 29 July 2017 . live . 31 July 2017 . Highest educational qualification: B.Com Part I School of Correspondence - University of Delhi - 1994.
  110. Web site: Mrs. Smriti Irani (Scanned Rajya Sabha Affidavit, Gujarat 2017) . 27 July 2017 . Gujarat Vidhan Sabha (Gujarat Legislative Assembly) . https://www.webcitation.org/6sMlKsxH1?url=http://www.gujaratassembly.gov.in/rajyasabha/PDF%20Files/8.pdf . 31 July 2017 . live . Bachelor of Commerce, Part - 1 (Three year degree course not completed), School of Open Learning (Correspondence), University of Delhi, 1994.
  111. News: Shah's assets grew three times, Irani still not graduate . 30 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170731104032/http://www.ptinews.com/news/8937644_Shah-s-assets-grew-three-times--Irani-still-not-graduate.html . 31 July 2017 . live . Press Trust of India.
  112. Web site: Smriti Irani's degree row: Court asks EC, DU to bring records . 17 March 2016 . The Indian Express . 25 March 2018.
  113. Web site: Smriti Irani Fake Degree Case: Court Reserves Order, Verdict On June 24 - News World India . newsworldindia.in . 25 March 2018 . 15 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171115221701/http://www.newsworldindia.in/india/smriti-irani-fake-degree-case-court-reserves-order-verdict-on-june-24/46159/ . dead .
  114. Web site: Smriti Irani's Degree Case: Court Summons Documents From Election Panel . ndtv.com . 25 March 2018.
  115. News: Biswas . Tanima . Panicker . Raija Susan . Fake Degree Case Filed To Harass Smriti Irani, Says Delhi Court . 31 May 2023 . NDTV . 18 October 2016.
  116. Web site: Relief for Smriti Irani as Delhi court dismisses fake degree case . Yahoo! . 25 March 2018.
  117. News: Choudhury . Sunetra . 23 May 2017 . Smriti Irani Fake Degree Row Back? High Court Asks For Records . 15 November 2022 . NDTV.
  118. News: 23 May 2017 . 'Fake degree' row back to haunt Smriti Irani as fresh petition filed . 15 November 2022 . The Indian Express . PTI.
  119. News: Smriti Irani's post on 'mom's single slap cleaning aura' goes viral . 12 June 2022 . Times Now . 21 December 2021.
  120. News: Smriti Irani's 'Single Slap' post goes viral on Instagram, netizens condemn her slam on psychologists . 12 June 2022 . Free Press Journal . 21 December 2021.
  121. News: RTI: Controversial Goa Cafe Food Licence Was Issued to Company Controlled By Smriti Irani's Husband . 9 September 2022 . . 8 September 2022.
  122. News: Goyal . Prateek . Firm linked to Smriti Irani's family paid rent for cafe 'run by her daughter' . 9 September 2022 . . 8 September 2022.
  123. News: Nair . Ravi . Firm Owned By Smriti Irani's Husband Shares Address, GST With Controversial Goa Restaurant . 9 September 2022 . . 2 August 2022.
  124. News: Kuch Dil Se. 23 June 2022. Tribune India - Spectrum. 6 July 2003.
  125. Web site: Smriti Back on television with Savdhaan India. https://web.archive.org/web/20121106094424/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Television/Smriti-Irani-is-getting-crime-time-on-Savadhan-India/Article1-955045.aspx . dead . 6 November 2012 .
  126. Web site: 19 December 2021. Smriti Irani at launch of her novel: 'I stepped out to live my life and then history happened'. 11 February 2022. The Indian Express. en.
  127. Web site: Irani. Smriti Zubin. 29 November 2021. 'Lal Salaam': Smriti Irani's novel is based on the killing of 76 CRPF men by Maoists in Dantewada. 11 February 2022. Scroll.in. en-US.
  128. News: 29 November 2021. Smriti Irani turns author with 'Lal Salaam', novel pays tribute to 76 CRPF personnel martyred in 2010 Dantewada attack. The Economic Times. 11 February 2022.

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