Ram Nath Kovind, the 14th President of India, had a remarkable journey from lawyer to the highest office. His life is a testament to dedication and service, marked by a commitment to social justice and political engagement.

Biography/Wiki

Born on October 1, 1945, in Paraukh, Kanpur Dehat district, Uttar Pradesh, Ram Nath Kovind’s early life was grounded in simplicity. His parents, Maikulal Kori and Kalawati, instilled in him values that would shape his future. He earned a Commerce degree followed by an LLB from Kanpur University. Afterward, he moved to Delhi, aiming for the Civil Services.

While he cleared the exam on his third attempt, he chose not to join an allied service instead of the IAS. He then became an advocate at the Delhi Bar Council, dedicating a significant portion of his practice to providing free legal aid to the underprivileged.

Family, Wife & Caste

Ram Nath Kovind hails from a Scheduled Caste (Koli community) Hindu family. His father was a local Vaidya and ran a grocery store. He had four brothers and three sisters, being the youngest of five brothers. He married Savita Kovind (a retired government employee) on May 30, 1974. They have a son, Prashanth Kumar, and a daughter, Swati Kovind.

Career

Kovind’s legal career spanned approximately 16 years, characterized by his commitment to pro bono work. He also served as a Personal Assistant to Prime Minister Morarji Desai from 1977 to 1978. His foray into politics began with joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1991. He served as the National Spokesperson for the BJP. He contested Lok Sabha elections but was unsuccessful.

He later became a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) representing Uttar Pradesh for two terms (1994-2006). His political roles included President of BJP’s Scheduled Caste Dalit Morcha and President of the All-India Koli Samaj (1998-2002).

Constitutional Posts

Governor

He served as the Governor of Bihar from August 8, 2015, to June 2017.

President of India

In July 2017, Ram Nath Kovind assumed the Presidency, defeating the UPA candidate. He served until July 2022, when Droupadi Murmu succeeded him.

Salary/Pension

As a former President, he receives a monthly pension and is entitled to certain office expenses.

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about his life:

• Met Jana Sangh leader Hukum Chand, sparking his interest in politics.
• Donated his ancestral home to the RSS.
• Focused on rural education infrastructure development through MPLAD schemes.
• Served on various parliamentary committees.
• Addressed the UN General Assembly in 2002.
• Appointed head of the ‘One Nation One Election’ committee in 2023.