Anurag Thakur is a prominent Indian politician representing Himachal Pradesh, a state in northern India. His career has spanned both sports administration and national politics, leading to a notable public profile.
Wiki/Biography
Anurag Thakur was born on October 24, 1974, in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. His astrological sign is Scorpio. He completed his schooling at Dayanand Model School in Jalandhar, Punjab, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Doaba College, Jalandhar in 1994. His passion for cricket was evident from his college days, leading to his selection for the Himachal Pradesh state team. A significant milestone was his appointment as President of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in 2000. Notably, he played a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir in the same year, a unique experience given his later role as an administrator.
Physical Appearance
- Height: Approximately 5’6″
- Weight: Approximately 70 kg
- Eye Color: Brown
- Hair Color: Black
Family
Anurag Thakur hails from a Rajput family. His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal, served as a two-time Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. His mother, Sheela Devi, is a homemaker. His brother, Arun Singh Thakur, is a businessman. He is married to Shefali Thakur, and they have two sons: Jaiaditya Thakur and Udayveer Thakur.
Career
Anurag Thakur’s political journey began in 2008. He successfully contested and won the Hamirpur constituency by-election, securing his place as a Member of Parliament (MP). His political career continued with consecutive wins in the 2009, 2014, and 2019 general elections. He also held the position of President of the All India Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in 2011. His contributions were recognized with the “Best Young Parliamentarian Award” in 2011 and the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019. He served as the Chief Whip of the BJP during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and was sworn in as a Union Minister of State (MoS) in the Narendra Modi government in May 2019.
His ministerial roles included Junior Finance Minister and Corporate Affairs Minister. A significant promotion came in July 2021, when he was elevated to Cabinet Minister. He successfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, winning the Hamirpur seat again.
Controversies
Anurag Thakur’s career has also seen its share of controversies. His tenure as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ended following a Supreme Court order related to the Lodha Committee’s recommendations on the involvement of government officials in sports administration. More recently, he faced criticism from wrestler Vinesh Phogat in May 2023 regarding the handling of wrestlers’ protests.
Further controversy arose from a speech in Parliament in July 2024, leading to criticism from opposition parties and the removal of parts of the speech from official records. These events highlight the complexities of his political career.
Address
14, Janpath Road, New Delhi
Car Collection
Anurag Thakur reportedly owns a 2009 Hyundai Santro.
Assets & Properties
| Asset Type | Value (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Cash | Rs. 15 Lacs |
| Bank Deposits | Rs. 30 Lacs |
| Jewellery | Rs. 3 Lacs (Gold) + Rs. 3 Lacs (Pistol) |
| Agricultural Land (Tirlokpur) | Rs. 19 Lacs |
| Non-Agricultural Land (Himachal Pradesh) | Rs. 99 Lacs |
| Residential Building (Paragpur) | Rs. 1 Crore |
Salary & Net Worth
Salary: Rs. 1 Lac + Allowances (as MP)
Net Worth (2019): Rs. 5.67 Crores
Facts
- He is the first cricketer to debut in first-class cricket after becoming President of a State Cricket Association.
- He played a key role in establishing the International Level Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala.
- His wife is the daughter of a former Minister and Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
- He founded the Honour Our Women (HOW) Foundation.
- He is the first BJP MP to be commissioned as an officer in the Territorial Army.
- He is known to consult with senior BJP leaders Amit Shah, Piyush Goyal, and the late Arun Jaitley on major decisions.
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