Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan Sworn in as 15th Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan was sworn in today as the fifteenth Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was administered the oath by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Prior to this role, Radhakrishnan served as the Governor of Maharashtra. Following the ceremony, he paid homage to several prominent leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Background and Early Life
Shri Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan was born on May 4, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and began his career as a garment exporter. His political journey started as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), where he became a State Executive Committee Member of the Bharatiya Janasangh in 1974. His early involvement in politics laid the foundation for a long and varied career in public service.
Political Career and Contributions
Radhakrishnan’s political career took off in 1996 when he was appointed Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and was re-elected in 1999. During his tenure, he held significant positions, including Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles and member of various other committees. Notably, he addressed the UN General Assembly as part of a Parliamentary Delegation in 2004 and was involved in significant initiatives, such as a 19,000 km ‘Ratha Yatra’ to advocate for various social issues.
From 2004 to 2007, he served as the State President of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, where he led campaigns focused on river linking, terrorism eradication, and civil rights. His leadership as Chairman of the Coir Board from 2016 to 2020 resulted in record coir exports. Radhakrishnan was appointed Governor of Jharkhand in February 2023 and later took on additional responsibilities as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
Personal Life and Interests
Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan is married to Smt. Sumathi R. since November 25, 1985, and they have a son and a daughter. He has shown a strong commitment to enhancing education, particularly for tribal communities, and has actively participated in initiatives to improve access to higher education. His involvement in the ‘School Connect’ program aimed to encourage tribal youth to pursue academic opportunities.
An avid sports enthusiast, Radhakrishnan excelled in table tennis during his college years and enjoys long-distance running, cricket, and volleyball. His travels have taken him to numerous countries, including the USA, UK, and various nations across Europe and Asia, reflecting his broad interests and engagement with global issues.
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